There are a lot of events, workshops, and gatherings in the North American cannabis market that compete for our consideration. Activities that bridge the gap and combine social impact initiatives to make attendees feel welcome and encouraged to share their stories, tips, and connect with others in a secure team building are something the market could use more of. This was the premise of last month’s Beads &, Buds jewelry-making workshop in support of This Is Jane Project ( TIJP).
Founded in 2019, TIJP began as a photo-activism plan to de-stigmatize discussions around pain, healing and medicating with hemp. After realizing how much the media may improve existence, they were determined to do more. In 2021, TIJP changed its name to a 501c3 volunteer. The group’s goal is” to help their growing neighborhood of Janes while continuing to report tales of hope and treatment with cannabis,” according to their website.
A” Jane” is a person or non-binary stress veteran who uses hemp as medication. As TIJP Executive Director Shannon DeGrooms says,” We’re all surviving things, and TIJP has created a trauma-aware group curated for an often-underrepresented people: people and non-binary citizens”.
The Beads &, Buds workshop was a fun way to bring Janes up for treatment and link in a safe, group therapy-like area. The one-day, sold-out event took place June 30 at the Astor Club in West Hollywood, California, produced by Nancy Chains, a cannabis accessories brand, and By BB, a plant-medicine based marketing agency run by Addie Babcock. Capped at 35 Janes, participants gathered together to create beaded necklaces or bong bracelets (yes, apparently they’re a thing ). To sign up, those interested in attending were asked over Instagram stories to DM This Is Jane Project on Instagram, and then selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Needless to say, the workshop filled up quickly.
A Holistic Approach to Trauma
DeGrooms, who has known Gal Bar El, the founder of Nancy Chains since the beginning of the band, claims a collaboration like this has taken years to develop. ” She’s been involved with TIJP both as a’ Jane,’ and as an unwavering supporter, hosting fundraisers, donating unique Nancy Chains necklaces, and now this—hosting a healing-centered Beads &, Buds experience just for survivors”.
Gal Bar El echoed DeGroom’s sentiments, saying,” I’m so excited to unite a group that has also helped me heal. I have experienced trauma in the past and have also been helped by The Is Jane Project. Being able to give back is truly amazing for me.
The Beads &, Buds event flowed organically, groups naturally formed, and Janes connected with one another while creating their one-of-a-kind Nancy Chains piece. DeGrooms shared that” I personally engaged in discussions about different healing modalities, astrology, and the use of cannabis for PTSD while stringing my bracelet.”
As event director, Bar El expressed her delight in the variety of creative processes, the results, and the joy that bringing together creativity and community brings.
She said,” The conversations occurring within organically formed groups of people were so beautiful and inclusive.” ” The safe space that was created let us spread our wings, let go a little, and create something new and unique—something we can use to ground ourselves when needed, as each Jane chose very personal beads, charms and color palettes”.
The majority of the Janes who TIJP serves firmly believe that cannabis has aided them in dealing with, managing, and recovering from trauma. Therefore, it made sense that many Janes chose to consume cannabis while creating their jewelry at Beads &, Buds ( thanks to event sponsor Cream of the Crop ). Cannabis can also help enhance the creative process by easing the mind and body, making it easier to tap into one’s creativity.
” Janes rely on holistic approaches to healing trauma”, DeGrooms said. Art and cannabis certainly fall within this category, and when paired together, they can do wonders. Bar El knows this well—after all, it’s what inspired her to form the Nancy Chains brand.
” Creating art can be therapeutic, allowing us to process emotions and find a sense of calm. Cannabis, with its relaxing properties, can help reduce stress and anxiety, making the healing process smoother and more enjoyable”, Bar El explained. ” Together, art and cannabis provide a unique space in which we can explore our creative potential while maintaining our well-being. It’s the best of both worlds”.
Attendees were also given swag bags in addition to taking home their creations. DeGrooms praised the goodie bags as thoughtful, particularly the branded iSpire device and the Cream of the Crop flower.
In a significant way, Cream of the Crop helped Bar El lead the one-day class and use her skills to make the ideal cannabis-inspired jewelry made with the idea that made her so well-known in cannabis as Nancy Chains.
iSpire’s graphic designers created a custom branded DZD400 battery for the event, giving the Janes something to remember the special occasion by ( and enjoy using, of course ).
” We chose to sponsor this event because Buds &, Beads expressed their commitment to the healing and creative powers of the plant, which align with our own mission”, said Nakisa Motamed, iSpire’s Sr. Global Marketing Manager. We want to offer the community and our brands safe, useful vape hardware products that remain true to the plant.
Motamed added that she is aware of the significance of the partnership between Nancy Chains and TIJP:” I’ve seen the things Gal and TIJP have done in the past and know that they put their heart into it and really care about our community. Many businesses are self-employed, and we make it a point to support the businesses that truly care about and support the local community in this sector.
To date, This Is Jane Project has hosted over 100 events, facilitated the donation of over 100, 000 units of compliant cannabis and supported nearly 2, 000″ Janes” on their healing journey. DeGrooms praised the thoughtful partnerships that Nancy Chains and other businesses have made in order to accomplish this work.
