Stoner Radio

Underrated Rap Vol. 1 is the first installment of our new Stoner Radio. These playlists are intended to bring you quality music from artists that have not cracked into the spotlight just yet. We hope you discover some new tunes for when it's time to smoke and chill!

Be sure to check out the rest of our playlists on Soundcloud. We will update our playlists via Soundcloud on a regular basis and will be sure to feature music from a variety of genres. Submit your own music by sending us an email to regulated-weed-culture@googlegroups.com

Donald Trump and Weed: Opinions and Oppositions Week 6

Hello readers, I hope everyone is having a great week! Today I want to talk about you everyone’s favorite thing, Politics! Specifically, about President Trump and his administrations views on marijuana.

One issue in the previous election that didn’t seem to get much time is the presidential candidate's opinions on marijuana. Now that Donald Trump is President; I was curious what his thoughts were and how his administration will handle it. In short, he believes it should be up to the states. This short interview shows him stating this.

However, lately, this has become a more "hot button" issue, in part due to the Attorney General, Jeff Sessions. Earlier this year,  Jeff Sessions repealed 3 different memos from President Obamas administration about policies dealing with the interference of states in regards to recreational marijuana. This video does a great job explaining these memos!

What do you think? Do you think this will cause more issues with states vs federal rights? Do you think the President will change his mind? Is this more Sessions or Trump? Comment below with your thoughts! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to stay up to date with Regulated Weed Culture and keep an eye out for more polls!

Big Step by the CCC: Accepting Applications

The applications are pouring in!

The CCC (Cannabis Control Commission), for the first time, is now accepting applications from people interested in opening their own marijuana establishment.  Now this doesn’t mean that you and I can become an applicant right away to open a marijuana facility.  The only applicants so far have to be a registered marijuana dispensary.  This all leads to Massachusetts plan to open these establishments for business on July 1^st, making it the official first day of legal marijuana sales, we’ll see down the line if they stick to that date.

I’d like to focus on what this means for us as a Massachusetts residents, we finally see a definitive step in the regulatory process that marijuana sales will soon be legal in our state. 

This makes sense on so many levels and hopefully the state will be a good example on the positive effect marijuana sales will have on the economy.  I am not a marijuana user, that is my own personal choice.  However, I am a big advocate for its legalization for one main reason, it makes sense revenue-wise.  As a state (and as a country) we can tax the h*ll out of marijuana, it’s a proven fact that taxes do not deter customers.  Every cigarette smoker I know complains about the prices of cigarette packs … but they still buy it.  We have taxes on alcohol … we still buy it.  There is no reason why we cannot apply the same logic to marijuana.

These applications coming is a big step to the legalization process.. Especially during a time where our nation’s Attorney General, Jefferson Sessions, is actively fighting the legalization of marijuana in attempts to federalize the law.  If you’re not familiar with regulation laws in recent years let me refresh your memory.  President Barack Obama’s administration put forth legislation to make the regulation of marijuana on a state to state basis, in layman’s terms, the different states will decide and vote on how they deal with this issue.  Mr. Sessions would like to get rid of that, federalizing marijuana laws, that as a country we’ll have to follow.  With organizations such as the CCC now accepting applications, it appears our Attorney General is going to have some big obstacles in his way.  I will expand on this argument in a further post.  Let us know your arguments (for/against)!


Photo by: Instagram: cannalectables

What Are You Likely to Talk About When High?

Good Evening folks, spring is in the air! Today I woke up and thought about what people talk about when they're high? Are there such things as high thoughts? Based on what I observe from those who smoke and then converse with each other, once people smoke their thoughts become very complex and people are then able to elaborate much freely on whatever is going through their mind. I'm eager to hear from you all what that feels like, it may be hard to put into words but you give it a shot it'll be very helpful. I challenge you to tell me what it feels like after smoking, are you up for the challenge?!

Touching base on last week's post pertaining to music I'd like for you all to check out this music profile I came across, The Smokers Club  where they focus on uploading tunes that are for people who enjoy tunes as they blow it down!

Below are a couple of videos that may bring laughter your way, both obtained from YouTube:

Dave here talks about the different conversations amongst different people and the things that might occur when smoking with different type of people! I find this to be hilarious because of how accurate it seems to be! 

Here is a stoner vine compilation to bring more laughter to your day, I hope this brightens up your day. Please feel free to comment below some or any of your stories! 

Conquering the Cannabis Industry Through Beauty, An Interview with Courtney Shepatin

I crossed paths with Courtney Shepatin as many people do in the emerging cannabis industry, being suggested the connection through a mutual friend. Our initial conversation was one of our shared passion for creativity and interest in entrepreneurship. Courtney quickly earned my regards as a businesswoman whose experiences could teach me, and our readers, a lot, so I asked her if she'd mind if we sat down again for a proper interview for our blog. Courtney is a bit of a night owl, so we had the pleasure of sitting down together pretty late tonight.

Courtney Shepatin is a self-taught entrepreneur and chemist who has been successful in the skincare industry the last couple of decades. Courtney is no stranger to working hard and never giving up on her big ideas. She is the founder of Courtney Joy Skincare and Shepatin Cosmetics, lines of organic skincare products infused with CBD, and will be launching with TCH oils once legal.

Alanna- So tell us a little bit more about yourself and your brand.

Courtney- Interested in organic and wild-crafted skincare industry since childhood, she grew up in the woods of northern New Hampshire, White Mountains area. She grew up in a magical fairy woods environment, where it became a collaborative effort, as these outside sources definitely guided her creativity working with plants.

This led her to study earth-based religions, herbology and piqued her interest further into the natural sciences. She currently holds certification as a Medical Esthetician, and has worked for big beauty companies like Bobby Brown, Estée Lauder, and Fresh, and has owned her own company, Shamanuti. 

Currently, Courtney is working on a new line of skincare products and even an erotic joy cream infused with CBD, and THC oils that are great for our skin and the perfect carriers on a molecular level for body care products. "It just makes sense to use this plant for beauty products. It is an antioxidant beyond many others in the natural world, and it's a weed, so it's sustainably manufacturable."

What made you decide to get into this kind of business in the first place?

She started in the beauty industry as a makeup artist and felt there was a lacking of affordable organic products to use.  She found a blending of these two worlds- fashion/beauty and the natural world provided by the woods- gave her a desire to create these types of skincare and beauty products. Courtney found herself drawn to this industry through a desire to escape into the fantasy world of beauty, but wanted to highlight the natural beauty around her.

How do you define success for yourself?

Courtney has already felt the success of fame with her products being featured in major magazines, so now her idea of success would be more about the impact her products can have on a more community basis. She still believes good press is nice for marketing and for the ego, but she wants to really make a difference in people's lives. So, success today would be helping her partners and employees have a fulfilling life being a part of a more family-style company that's full of creativity and playfulness. 

What has been the role of luck, if any, in your success?

"In general I feel I'm a lucky lady because I tell myself that all the time. If you think you're lucky, you're lucky, and even if you're not, you get lucky some of the time."

So many people believe you need luck and money to start a business these days. Any advice to people who don't feel opportunities are available to them; or who are letting their fears get the better of them?

Courtney says there really is just so much available to you for free with a good internet search these days, that it feels even more possible to find success with just $5000 and a dream. Opportunities are there, but you have to look for it. It is a world market, so utilizing all those resources is what will separate those who become entrepreneurs from those who don't. "Don't let having money hold you back. You can start small." 

It takes a lot to get a successful business going. If you had to credit any one person/event/thing that helped get you to where you are today, what would it be?

Getting a full expose on her past company, Shamanuti, into every Vogue magazine on literally every continent was the big moment that highlighted her successful product and catapulted her branding. Courtney is even more excited about her new line, as it has matured and gained a healing elegance to it. 

Entrepreneurs also like to think it can be a "one-man job," but in reality, broadly-speaking, what does it take to get an idea into production?

Courtney has found a 3-person team works best for her production process. Someone to handle the business and accounting side of things, another to help as a creative soundboard, and her doing the actual product creation and business strategy. This is her ideal basis, but she has had to be the only one for many of her past ventures. "It's too much work for one person to undertake. It can also get lonely."

How can an entrepreneur protect themselves and their ideas when setting up alliances/partnerships?

"It's really important to have a good attorney to write up contracts. This is one area where money is well spent. Don't leave room for gray areas or rely on gentlemen agreements. If you feel uneasy about signing those papers, trust your instincts and reassess." 

How has entering a "sin" market affected your business or your business relationships?

"Personally, it sometimes makes me blush. Then I think, this is a market that can be healing and it's fun, as well as being a great alternative to petroleum-based products." 

Do you find a stigma from the business community working/ breaking into this industry?

"No, it's the exact opposite. Big money wants to give you money. Big businesses have shown a huge amount of interest. This industry is very small local family-based style right now, and the big guys want in on it."

What markets do you sell within, plan to sell to, or cannot sell?

Courtney is in the process of selling her CBD-based products to all 48 states where it is legal, and then once licensing is finalized, she plans on selling both CBD and THC infused products wherever legal. 

Any competition worries on your mind currently?

"I'm feeling a pressure to get to market quickly because I feel that the race is on due to the legalization and all of its medical values."

Any supply chain issues, due to the mixed legality of the industry?

She says this has been a huge challenge. It's hard to find legal local suppliers for CBD oil, which raises the cost of manufacturing. There is a limited supply and a much bigger demand, but with the laws changing, this will become easier.

Have you decided on channels of commerce?

Available to start online and at The Cauldron Black in Salem, MA. She is also currently in discussion with other local chain retailers.

Does your marketing strategy include social media much?

"Personally I've seen success through word-of-mouth, and social media is a way for that to happen these days."

What are your future goals for expansion?

Courtney would like to do all her own original line of skincare products, but now as a hybrid with the CBD and other natural updates like maca and blue lotus. "It's fun playing with these magical ingredients."

How do you see the cannabis industry growing?

"There is so much versatility and medicinal purposes that it will be growing into all the other industries. Right now is the time to get creative." She hopes cannabis goes into mainstream America because it is a healthy plant that creates so much healing light, which we agreed is really needed in this world right now. 

Courtney Joy Shepatin can be reached through email at courtneyshepatin@hotmail.com.