If you came of age in the 80's during the era of Nancy Reagan and the Just Say No / "This is your brain on drugs" days, you might have been labeled either a jock, rocker, nerd, or stoner. I was a floater who had friends in all those groups, and some of my favorite memories were hanging out with the known pot smokers who all ironically wore DARE t-shirts and Just Say No buttons. Those were my friends.
I didn't partake much in those days, but as attitudes have changed, legal markets have opened up, and the 2018 Farm Bill created a path for safe, responsible access to low-dose THC products in many states, my own thinking has continued to evolve with the times. I now appreciate the occasion-based opportunities to loosen up with my friends in ways that might either include having a beer or a gummy depending on my mood and the feeling I'm looking for in those moments. Choice is good.
Along the way, I have come to appreciate the additional benefits that safe, legal, responsible consumption has exposed me to, both personally and creatively. I run in creative circles. I love music, but I'm a hack at playing guitar. Over the last while, I’ve watched my relationship with the instrument shift in ways I never expected, especially in creative moments that sometimes include the occasional gummy or puff. Now, I can’t say with clinical certainty that anything specific is responsible*, but it does make me think about the long history of association between "reefer" and some of the greatest jazz music ever played. And I've recently learned that Pablo Picasso may have also had a taste for the sweet leaf. In my mind, it all makes perfect sense.
This is the first blog post for Stir The Pot. We'll be introducing the rest of the group with future posts. Kevin's adult friends and family are all creative folk (duh). Brian, who contributed his amazing art to our product packaging, and Jerison, who developed the logo, are also part of the team. They are all cool people who you'll get to know for yourself.
And we encourage you (21+ adult you, that is) to join us. We'd love to see (or hear) whatever it is that your creative pursuits produce. Who knows? You could be featured in a future blog post or we may ask if we can share your art with the world on a future package design. Sky's the limit...
Those days of subtle rebellion when wearing a DARE t-shirt made a funny, ironic statement that signaled to others who you were, seem kind of quaint now. The vast majority of adults support full legalization of hemp-derived THC products nationally, and Kevin and I are proud to be at the forefront of what feels like an important time for us to be launching Stir The Pot. We are honored to have you join us. (That is assuming you have proper ID to prove you are at least 21.)
Eric
* Your mileage may vary. Godspeed.
Speaking of hacks, here's the painting I started during the shutdown. I think I got distracted with sourdough and guitar practice. I plan to finish it someday. (This is also probably the right time to explain that no, we aren't affiliated with Willie Nelson or Willie's Reserve in any way. Just friends and Family playing in the same sandbox...)
Go create something!