1st Lady of the West Coast and owner of the Black Girl Magic strain. Photo credit: 1st Lady.
Some are born great; some achieve greatness; and then others have greatness thrust upon them, like one California native, who refers to herself as the 1st Lady of the West Coast. She made history in 2016 by becoming the first woman of color to create her own exclusive strains of cannabis under her company, Herb of Life Cultivation.
The lineup of strains currently includes Black Girl Magic OG, December Nights OG and her namesake strain, First Lady of the West Coast Kush (Flotwck).
Post from @Herboflifecultivationllc on Instagram
She launched her flagship strain, Black Girl Magic, with the help of her partner — who she refers to as the Dukeofer. Following that iconic move, she went on to create more cannabis strains.
“I have intellectual property on my lines and my breeder has them protected as well,” 1st Lady tells Emerald by email.
Before she successfully launched her own cannabis business, the cannabis cultivator and CEO of Herb of Life Cultivation says the plant helped her get her life back.
“I was 16 years old when I started looking for something natural to take instead of antidepressants [because] I no longer wanted to feel like a zombie on antidepressants,” she says, reflecting on the first time she experimented with cannabis. “I wanted my life back being creative, making music and living. Cannabis was able to help bring that back at an early age and not antidepressants. Antidepressants were destroying my liver and kidneys.”
She explains that although being the first woman to own her strain of cannabis was not her primary reason for venturing into the industry; she is still ecstatic about breaking that social barrier.
“It’s an amazing feeling even though I didn’t get in to be the first, it just happened like that,” she says. “I was so focused on the education of cannabis and getting it back out there to the people [because] cannabis changed my life from antidepressants. I can only imagine how it can change others.”
Overall, she is happy to be an inspiration to her community. “Being the first Black woman [to own my own strain of cannabis] is truly an honor to inspire and to be that inspiration in the Black community,” she adds. “I want Black women to look at me and say if she can do it, so can I.”
“Black Girl Magic”
1st Lady named her strain Black Girl Magic because she wanted to give it a name that represented her personality and identity. Black Girl Magic OG is 40% sativa and 60% indica. She’s an indica-dominant hybrid.
Sativas are the tall, narrow-leaf varieties of cannabis, thought to induce energizing effects, according to Leafly. On the other hand, indicas are the stout, broad-leaf plants, thought to deliver sedating effects.
1st Lady has received rave reviews from consumers who say Black Girl Magic OG has positively impacted their health.
From @Herboflifecultivationllc on Instagram
“Black Girl Magic OG definitely helps with pain. I’ve gotten a lot of reviews from people on how their pain went away and put them more at ease,” she says. “They also said that Black Girl Magic helps with stress and depression as well as helping them be calm with a relaxed body.”
In fact, there are studies that highlight cannabis’ anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce pain in the human body. Additionally, some cannabinoids, when taken in certain dosages, may also help treat conditions like anxiety and depression.
Above all, the positive feedback she gets from users is what motivates her.
“I love when I hear how it has helped someone and made their life a little better or just better,” she continues. “These are stories I love to hear. I’m not in pain or I’m not stressed anymore and that’s a win for me. Just being able to make a difference in someone else’s life is what it’s all about for me.”
But as her business grows, 1st Lady highlights some challenges that she continues to face.
“I would say the biggest challenge is growing without gophers trying to destroy your crop and counties changing their laws [that make] it hard to grow and keep up with a demand on Black Girl Magic,” she explains.
From @Herboflifecultivationllc on Instagram
Paying it Forward
1st Lady is a firm believer in supporting charitable causes that enhance the community and the lives of others.
Accordingly, Herb of Life Cultivation LLC donates proceeds from the sale of each executive strain of cannabis to various organizations.
For example, the company donates a portion of sales from Flotwck “to help sponsor a [kid with] dyslexia, teen or adult, for screening and for specialist tuition. I think it’s important for teachers and parents to learn about Dyslexia so students can be supported,” she tells Emerald.
From @Herboflifecultivationllc on Instagram
Additionally, 1st Lady also donates a portion of proceeds from sales of Black Girl Magic OG to programs that “help fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support Black women/men with mental illness and their families.”
Furthermore, proceeds from December Nights OG will go toward “planting 1,000 trees every month. One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. One acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year,” 1st Lady continues. “Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves.”
From @Herboflifecultivationllc on Instagram
She adds that she believes in supporting causes that preserve the environment.
“Environmental and climate awareness help protect the air, water, and land—and to defend endangered natural places,” she says. Consequently, “[we support] river restoration, federal river management and clean water supply. It is important to help fight stigma, educate the public and advocate for policies that support it. That is just a little of how we give back and pay it forward.”
Future Plans
In the future, 1st Lady hopes her company will continue to grow.
“I want us to continue to expand into different states and countries that go medical and recreational and be able to bring full knowledge and education on this amazing plant,” she says.
She also says that she is excited for her company to continue its growth in the international market. For example, she currently operates a farm in Jamaica.
“I am excited to [continue] in Jamaica with my lines, Green Block Development and being able to grow on our 12 acres of land,” she says. “We are still building but it’s definitely coming along. I see a lot of amazing things to come and I am excited to see the company continue to grow.”
Additionally, she shares her advice for women who are looking to get into the cannabis industry.
“Anything is possible, Don’t doubt yourself, stay true to your dreams and goals and make them happen. This is your story so create it,” she adds. “Remember giving up isn’t an option. Surround yourself around people who wanna see you win.”
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