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Cannabis Conversations (CC) sits down with another queen who loves herb and is proud to say so. Meet Melissa Bloomfield, a young vibrant entrepreneur who has carved out a thriving business from it. 

We caught up with Melissa at her home based business to discuss how she feels about the recent decriminalization, how it might affect her business and of course her relationship with ganja.

Melissa is the Founder/Owner of Mel’s Tree Eats , a budding edibles (see what I did there) business that started in June 2015. From brownies to coconut drops to pizzas and possibly any other treat you can think of, Mel’s treats has grown tremendously over the last year. People from as far as Amsterdam are clamouring to get their hands on her products and after having one, I see why.

(CC): Why do you use herb?

Melissa: I sing. And it dawned on me that I keep complaining about not being creative and writing enough but when I was in school it was my inspiration so I probably need to...

(CC): get back to that

Melissa: Yea, just get to that place again.

(CC): Do you use herb other than for personal reasons?

Melissa: So I do edibles. It’s something I enjoy doing and came into business with it by ‘buck ups’

(CC): How did that happen?

Melissa: At that time, I was inexperienced and didn’t know about decarboxylation and getting it to that safe THC  level. I started right here at home. I had a jam session and made some brownies and they were a hit! Everybody loved it except for one person who had a bad experience but he had three brownies. 

(CC): Was he not aware that they had ganja in them?

Melissa: He did but I guess they were so good (smiles). But seriously, I educate my customers so they are aware of the effects when consuming my edibles. You never need more than one really or at least wait an hour and see how you feel first.

(CC): So education is key to having a positive experience with edibles...

Melissa: Oh yes. I mean I have older customers that use my products for sleep. I have problems myself sleeping so sometimes I would eat a little piece of brownie or candy and I get the best sleep ever! Some use it recreationally but what they love is that it gives them the right high.

(CC): The right high?

Melissa: For sure, so for example I have a woman that use to come to me in the mornings and I would wonder why not just buy a batch. But I guess for portion control so she can enjoy responsibly. And she loves the way her day goes after her coffee and a brownie (laughs). It calms her down in order to deal with her high stress level job. Puts her in the right state of mind. 

(CC): Okay got you...As an entrepreneur, how has the decriminalization process impacted your lifestyle?

Melissa: One good thing, I don’t have to hide and smoke anymore. With my edibles it has definately helped because I can open the market and sell my stuff even more. More needs to be done though as I would love to export. I mean I have people in Amsterdam that want my products but we can’t yet. Hopefully in time (sooner than later). And just the opportunity to learn because alot of people didn’t know alot of things. 

Even though we (Jamaicans) say we know alot about ganja, there are these international people coming in and teaching us more. It’s not all about smoking. Even the other day at Nanook with Cannabis Conversations . So there’s a greater push towards education whereas before people were just growing ganja and doing what they want with it. 

(CC): Some might disagree with you on that point and say herb growers here have as much knowledge if not more than the international people.

Melissa: I mean, we learn something everyday right? Because if we knew all this, why weren’t we advancing more with ganja. I’m not trying to stir any controversy I’m just saying that it has opened more doors and minds than before. And with the decriminalization, in time more opportunities will come. 

(CC): How long have you been smoking/using herb?

Melissa: I’ve been smoking herb 20 years now and my family just now know. They were against it and blame it for anything negative that happens like ‘is the ganja dem smoking dats why’ or ‘they are non-progressive because they smoke it’. And I would be like look at me! 

(CC): How do they feel about it now?

Melissa: When I told my mom, her first thing was ‘is it legal?’ And I can tell her that with the decriminalization I can do some things but not too much. She feels safer about it now.

Cannabis Conversations thanks both Melissa and Joan for reasoning with us on this sticky (see what I did there again...too much? ok lol) topic. If you missed Joan’s interview, find it here. The Cannabis Conversations is brought to you by the THC Project. Stay close and keep updated for what’s next! 

Check out Mel’s Tree Eats on:

https://www.facebook.com/melstreeeats/

https://www.instagram.com/mellymel1278/

And THC Project on:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoCkhW4w9PuLBckDp2lzqQ

Cannabis Conversations (CC) sits down with Joan Webley, an Attorney and Social Enterprise Entrepreneur to reason about her relationship with the holy herb. 

During our afternoon conversations, Joan explains why ganja is such a major part of her life. 

CC: When was your first experience with ganja? 

Joan : ‘My first time smoking weed, I wasn’t even in Jamaica’. I started alot older than many of my peers at the time. 

CC: Like how old?

Joan : About 18 or 19. I remember saying, ‘I haffi can handle this enuh cuz I’m a Jamaican.’

Prior to her leaving Jamaica at the age of 14, Joan had limited knowledge about herb. To her it was just another drug. But as she got older and moved to Australia for University, her perspectives changed. 

 I was a bartender all through University so regularly I would see people drinking way too much and the negative impact it had. And that had me thinking, ‘so how come this (ganja) is such a problem and this (alcohol) is not.’

Joan : I didn’t consider myself a smoker until I moved back to Jamaica in 2008. It was too expensive to maintain while in Australia, especially as a student. But when I got back to Jamaica where it’s in abundance...

(CC): You smoked more, when you came back?

Joan: Here?

(CC): Yea

Joan: Hell yea! I smoked alot more! 

(CC): Did that impact you differently in any way?

Joan : Personally, no. But I will say that there can be a problem with too much smoking. I believe in ‘everything in moderation, including moderation.’  If you truly believe that herb is medicine like any other medicine then you shouldn’t be smoking it ALL the time trying to get in a higher medz. So moderation. 

(CC) : So you would say ganja does not negatively affect people in general if done with moderation and understanding.

Joan :  Yea that’s what I’m saying. So because I do all these different things, I’ve had times when rashes would come up on my skin due to stress and the doctor would prescribe xanax or valium and I didn’t take them because who knows what’s in those pills. Before I take them I rather ‘bun a spliff and chill.’ Therefore herb is a medicine for me. But I’m also very aware that it only treats symptoms and I have to deal with the core problem eventually.  

(CC) :  What are these ‘different things’ that you do?

Joan : I love my culture and so I help create platforms or facilitate a space for cultural activities. I work with foreigners who are interested in connecting with cultural creators in Jamaica. I’m also an attorney and give legal advice when I can and just generally contribute to the cultural fabric of my country. 

She is the founder of Nanook Enterprises which is the first and only creative incubator of its kind in Jamaica. It literally means Nurturing All Nuances Of One’s Kreativity and it does that by providing  artists and entrepreneurs a space to do just that. She wants it to be viewed as a space that is proactive, productive, creative and positive. However she is also acutely aware that interactions with the corporate world can be challenging as many still look down on that ‘lifestyle’. 

(CC) : These ‘challenges’ I feel is due to lack of understanding...

Joan : This is one of the most important things. That is why I really like what you’re doing (THC Project) because intelligent conversations about herb is necessary. 

(CC) : What kinds of conversations would you like you hear?

Joan :  I want people to ‘pree’ how ganja became illegal in the first place. Because it’s really about educating yourself. 

Smoking ganja is great but with responsibility and education. The Cannabis Conversations continues so keep talking and wants you to watch this space for who else we might reason with. 

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