Community News
Canna Crawl: an opportunity to relax, enjoy yourself, and experience the positive aspects of cannabis culture
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
As I walked towards the venue, I could hear the laughter, and smell the ganja! I had made my way to Hamilton to attend the annual Canna Crawl, co-hosted by Reena Rampersad. She had invited me in the past, but I had not found the time to visit. I had heard so much about the crawl and I wanted to experience it for myself in real time.
Discreetly tucked away at 863 King Street East, the indoor/outdoor event was off the hook. People were talking, laughing, and of course partaking of the greatest herb on the planet; cannabis.
For decades, cannabis has attracted a negative stigma, not just in the Caribbean, but all over the world. Lawmakers have come down on cannabis producers and users with the same might and force as they have with deadly narcotics like cocaine and heroin. What is talked about less is all of the great aspects of this wonder herb, and no one advocates for cannabis more than Reena Rampersad.
Reena is a cultural foodie and cannabis connoisseur, originally born in Toronto but of Trinidadian descent. She spent the early part of her career as a social worker in the city of Detroit, Michigan, but her interest in food culture would eventually steer her into a permanent career as a Restauranteur.
As an open supporter of cannabis, Reena utilizes her culinary skills and reach to help positively influence the perceptions associated with cannabis use. For Toronto Caribbean Newspaper readers, Reena’s story is not new. As a young girl, Reena witnessed her grandmother using cannabis in the making of various salves and remedies while her father battled the law and society for his choice to partake.
Many of her family members were victims of the war on drugs and this has made her participation in the industry both personal and political. Reena has been featured on the CBC’s “The Current Episode,” “Cooking With Cannabis,” Zoomer Media’s ONE Network, alongside most major Canadian publications including: The Globe and Mail, The New York Times, The Canadian Press, Chatelaine, Now Magazine and other cannabis related projects.
What Reena has done with Canna Crawl is put together an event that offers opportunities for businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs to network and form partnerships. Canna Crawl facilitates interactions between companies, suppliers, retailers, and other stakeholders. Canna Crawl plays a crucial role in the Ontario cannabis industry, culture, and community. What I saw on Saturday July 29th, 2023, was a gathering of industry professionals, consumers, advocates, and enthusiasts, all there to commune and celebrate.
As I walked around the event, I recognized how ideal the Crawl was for companies to showcase new products and innovations. Whether it was a new strain, a cannabis-infused product, or a cutting-edge technology, the Crawl allowed businesses to generate buzz and gain exposure within the community.
As I spoke to vendors, they openly shared their experiences, stories, and knowledge. I heard stories about how cannabis had helped with healing, and restored people’s lives. It became evident that events like Canna Crawl provide a platform to educate attendees about various aspects of cannabis, including its medicinal properties, responsible consumption, cultivation techniques, and legal developments. By promoting accurate information, events like the Crawl help dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding cannabis use. As with many of our Caribbean herbs, we do not know the value of what we have. It was only when the Canadian government said, “Yes, now it is legal,” that many of us were able to accept the use of cannabis, and still many Caribbeans turn-up their nose at this herb.
There were vendors from all parts of Ontario, and not all of them were focused on cannabis. I had the chance to have a sound healing session with Nadia Ishmail from Stone and Shadow Holistic Boutique, peruse sex toys with Jennifer Harrington from Love Winx, and enjoy a dab (you have to look that one up) with the Honey Badger Extracts team.
What Canna Crawl offers is an opportunity to relax, enjoy yourself, and experience the positive aspects of cannabis culture. I want to congratulate Reena Rampersad and the Canna Crawl team for curating this impactful event. I will definitely be back.