The Sisterhood of Rolling Joints
As a young child, my favorite pastime was retreating to my room to immerse myself in the pages of Nancy Drew Mystery books. I eagerly awaited the latest adventures of Nancy and her loyal friends George and Bess, always first in line at the library. Reading those books transported me into a world of close-knit friendships and thrilling mysteries, where I felt like an integral part of the group. I was with my “bestest” friends when I was squirreled away in my room.
In my adult years (a term I use loosely), I've forged strong bonds with a tight-knit circle of friends who have tolerated my whimsical escapades and near-mishaps. Surprisingly, this most recent cherished group of women friends emerged from an unexpected and unconventional source: cannabis.
When I founded AACE, I aimed to connect with AAPIs (American Asian Pacific Islanders) involved in the cannabis industry. In the initial stages, finding individuals willing to engage in conversations was challenging due to the stigma surrounding cannabis within the AAPI community.
In November 2016, California passed Proposition 64, legalizing cannabis for both medical and adult use. The state's decision drew significant attention, with the potential to surpass Colorado and Washington in sales by billions. Media outlets extolled the virtues of THC and CBD, and fashion magazines featured influencers showcasing rose gold vape pens. Models ran along sunlit beaches, leaving wisps of smoke in their wake, and suddenly, cannabis became the shiny object that everyone wanted to be associated with. This drew courageous C-suite executives from diverse backgrounds—fashion, liquor, trucking, industrial design, and more—into the world of cannabis, realizing its value and potential.
What struck me as most remarkable about this influx of new faces into the cannabis industry was the growing number of AAPI individuals participating. I was inundated with incredible people I could approach for interviews for AACE. Among them was Angela Cheng, whom I interviewed, and from there, I embarked on a journey with three AAPI women in the cannabis field through her introductions.
I had finally found my "bestest of friends."
Growing up as an Asian comes with distinct flavors and experiences that only the AAPI community can genuinely understand. In my friendship with Angela, Tiffany, and Caroline, I discovered a unique shorthand where a single word or two would elicit an "OMG YES!" among us. Now, when you add that we all work in the cannabis industry, our lives are filtered through this shared lens, and we comprehend each other so profoundly that a simple nod and "yep" is all it takes.
I've spoken at length, so without further ado, allow me to introduce Angela Cheng, Tiffany Chin, and Caroline Yeh and The Sisterhood of Rolling Joints:
Cannabis has been the connective tissue that has woven the threads of my life together, especially when it comes to my journey back to Los Angeles. After living here in my early 20’s I moved away and spent the next 20 years in New York and Seattle and finally came back to LA by way of Miami to work in Cannabis. When I discovered the cannabis community here, in large part thanks to AACE and Ophelia, it was like finding my tribe.
Cannabis became my bridge, bringing me closer to people who shared not only a love for the plant but are also brave and entrepreneurial - because working in this new and nascent industry is hard and it takes a certain type of individual that wants to walk on a path that hasn’t yet been paved.
This sense of belonging extended beyond just working in this industry together, Cannabis became the catalyst that led to real friendships.
It’s through Cannabis that I found my calling, this community, and real communion. These people are my people. ❤
More so than just being the most unexpected and fun career direction, cannabis has affected my personal life in such positive ways as well - it led me to my husband, which resulted in my beautiful family, to meet and work for one of the biggest global icons in the world, and to befriend and develop deep friendships with some of the brightest and most creative people in the world.
When I started in the cannabis industry, I thought it would be hard to find people who looked like me in the same industry. Stereotypes go in different directions, and I fell into the trap of thinking AAPI weren’t necessarily big consumers or represented in the industry. Boy, was I wrong - after joining AACE, I found a group of women with whom I realized I could have more than just a business relationship. Having that unspoken understanding of our culture and background, while not being the main topic of conversation, leads to raw and honest discussions about everything from the newest cannabis developments to our latest guilty pleasure-binging habits.
As an Asian American woman working in the cannabis industry, cannabis has played a unique role in helping me to forge deep friendships and supportive networks for several reasons. Firstly, the cannabis industry, with its legal standing and general stigmatization among the Asian community, has provided a platform for people from diverse backgrounds to come together over a shared interest. The shared passion for cannabis serves as a common ground, breaking down cultural barriers and allowing individuals to connect and relate on a personal level.
Additionally, I’ve found that though Asian Americans in this field may face specific challenges and prejudices, we also find solidarity in our shared experiences. We can relate to the resilience needed to overcome stigmas and stereotypes, which creates a deep sense of camaraderie.
Moreover, cannabis has a rich history of being used for social and communal purposes. Whether through shared smoking sessions or conversations about the benefits of the plant, it naturally fosters an environment of open dialogue and shared experiences. This environment has led to lasting friendships and support networks that extend beyond the workplace.
In essence, cannabis, with its capacity to unite people, offers a bridge for Asian Americans in the industry to connect, share their stories, and provide each other with invaluable support, making it a catalyst for both personal and professional growth, and I am grateful to AACE for providing the forum to bring us all together.