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Since becoming a mother, discussions around parenting have shifted significantly. We are now more open about the challenges of postpartum life, fertility struggles, and feelings of burnout—especially during the pandemic. While these discussions are crucial, there are still many aspects of motherhood that remain taboo. One such topic is cannabis use.
Despite it being 2021, a stigma still lingers around cannabis. The perception of cannabis has evolved, yet outdated stereotypes persist, often influenced by portrayals in films like Half Baked or Dazed and Confused.
Enter Emma Carter, one half of the Brooklyn-based duo behind Green Leaf & Co., a contemporary cannabis lifestyle brand aimed at redefining the narrative. Alongside her business partner, Mia Thompson, Emma is actively working to challenge the stigma surrounding mothers who use or are involved in the cannabis industry.
“Green Leaf was born out of our frustration with the lack of stylish cannabis products,” Emma shared in a recent interview. “Both Mia and I have enjoyed cannabis since our teenage years, but our consumption habits changed as we grew older. We wanted something that matched our aesthetic.”
Redefining Consumption with Design
The first step towards erasing the stigma was to elevate cannabis use from hidden corners to a celebrated part of home life. Emma realized that the products on the market did not reflect the sophisticated cannabis experience. “There’s no shame in consuming cannabis; our products should reflect that,” she emphasized.
With their design and branding expertise, the duo created elegant essentials and accessories for cannabis consumption. They aimed for items that could be proudly displayed on a bar cart or shelf—functional yet beautiful, akin to a designer cocktail shaker.
“We want people to feel good about having cannabis in their homes; it’s not a shameful object,” Emma stated. Their offerings, including luxurious grinders, decorative pipes, and gourmet CBD chocolates, have been featured in major publications like InStyle and Rolling Stone.
Cannabis and Motherhood
Cannabis consumption today is not solely about getting high; it serves various purposes, such as alleviating stress, aiding sleep, or enhancing intimacy—needs that often grow during motherhood. Emma notes that the pandemic has intensified these reasons. However, mothers who turn to cannabis can face criticism, which varies by location.
“Society judges mothers regardless of their choices,” Emma said. “But the internet provides a platform for mothers to share their experiences anonymously, allowing for more open conversations.”
A Purpose-Driven Cannabis Company
Green Leaf & Co. not only seeks to normalize cannabis use among mothers, but it also supports charities focused on aiding women, particularly Women of Color, who have been disproportionately affected by cannabis criminalization. They contribute 5% of their monthly sales to the Empowerment Foundation in Atlanta, which supports mothers in need.
Striking a Balance Between Career and Family
When Emma first ventured into the cannabis industry, she hesitated to discuss her profession due to fear of judgment. However, she’s found it easier to talk about cannabis as time has passed. Now, her challenges mirror those of any new mother growing a business.
Establishing clear boundaries between work and family life has been instrumental for Emma. As the primary caregiver to her infant son, she has learned to integrate her work into her family life.
“I draw inspiration from other moms who are running businesses and achieving amazing things,” she said. “There are countless women out there doing incredible work, which motivates me to envision what’s possible.”
Conversations surrounding motherhood are gradually evolving, but there’s still room for growth—especially regarding cannabis normalization. “We’re entering a fascinating phase where individuals can curate their cannabis experiences to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, or enhance intimacy,” Emma concluded. Companies like hers are helping to redefine what cannabis means today, breaking down the stigma that has made cannabis use in motherhood feel shameful when it should not.
For more insights on similar topics, check out this post on home insemination, which delves into various aspects of becoming a parent. Additionally, if you’re considering at-home insemination, resources like Make A Mom are invaluable.