There is a particular kind of clarity that comes only from packing everything you own into a small Ford Focus and heading west. It was a move born not of a grand plan, but of a singular, powerful purpose: to find my place and grow in the cannabis industry, an industry that had always felt like home—one that had helped me manage a lifetime of crippling anxiety. With my cat, Kiki, as my co-pilot, I said farewell to the East Coast and made the rather abrupt decision to head for California.
Landing in Northern California proved to be the right choice. My journey began in a dispensary, but it was in a distribution facility, alongside Trey and Jason, where I truly found my footing. I started by rolling pre-rolls and methodically learning the business from the inside out. Eventually, I managed the entire operation and found myself a partner in the company.
Alongside my role at Shasta Cannabis, I also assisted in managing pre-roll operations for another brand. But the demands of both businesses made it clear a choice had to be made; working multiple jobs was no longer an option. I went full-time at Shasta Cannabis.
Cultivate, Multiply, Motivate
We were a team of three, driven by a common purpose. Trey Sherrell, my mentor, was the best I could have asked for, a kind, brilliant person dedicated to his family and helping small farmers as a consultant. Jason Vine was the other cornerstone of our operation, a gifted engineer, a tireless visionary who was always willing to walk the extra mile. Together, we were doing it; getting into new dispensaries, helping local farmers, and moving a tremendous amount of product. The regular 18-hour days were demanding, but in a way that felt entirely worthwhile.
What I remember most …
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Author: Stephanie Woodworth / High Times
