Frosty air, spicy flavors: experience the magic of a Cannabis Caribbean Christmas!

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

What if I could promise you that just for a moment, you could escape the winter chill and embark on a delightful journey to the tropics. An unforgettable evening of warmth, flavor, and festive cheer in the heart of the winter season. A chance for you to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean as a venue is transformed into a tropical paradise, right in the midst of the snowy wonderland.

You would have a chance to indulge in a variety of exotic tropical drinks (cannabis infused options available, wink, wink) from: flavorful sorrel to ginger beer, or perhaps a refreshing coconut concoction. Hmmmm! Yes, the authentic taste of the Caribbean with every sip.

Throughout your experience you would delight your taste buds with a sumptuous dinner featuring an array of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes. From jerk chicken to tropical fruit salads, the menu is a culinary adventure inspired by the flavours of the islands.

After your belly is well full, you then dance the night away to the infectious rhythms of Caribbean Holiday themed music, from reggae beats to soca tunes. As you let yourself get swept up in the experience, the lively melodies and infectious energy allow you to levitate; a feeling that can only be described as heavenly.

On Saturday, December 16^th, 2023, Reena Rampersad from High Society Supper Club, and Vivianne Wilson (the first woman of colour to run a cannabis company in Canada) will be hosting “A Caribbean Christmas” at GreenPort Cannabis Store located at 686 College St, Toronto, Ontario. “This is an opportunity to showcase Caribbean culture in the confines of the cannabis industry and educate folks about the pre-existing connections the community has had with herb long before legalization,” Reena Rampersad shared with me during our impromptu discussion.

Call it by whatever name you want: marijuana, weed, ganja, cannabis, pot, hashish, joint, blunt, spliff, industrial hemp, no other plant has had more controversy around it than this versatile, spiritual herb. Mind you, there are reasons for this, which is exactly why Reena and Vivianne remain steadfast in educating the Caribbean community about the practical uses of marijuana.

In 2021, the Mental Health Commission of Canada released a research study titled “Amplifying Black Experiences in Cannabis and Mental Health Research: Virtual Dialogue Series.”  This virtual dialogue presented by Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, looks at the history of cannabis and the debilitating narrative that posits marijuana as an illegal substance, one that is linked with: shame and criminalization, negative stereotypes about Black people and mixed views within Black communities.

Even though medicinal cannabis has been legal in Canada for 20 years, the Caribbean community generally appears to have little knowledge of its properties and therapeutic uses — either from research or personal experience. Even the medical community clearly seems to still have negative views about cannabis, often stigmatizing those who consume it.

This stigma leads many people in Black communities to hide their cannabis use. Its history as an illegal substance, and Black communities’ long-time mistreatment by authorities in connection with it, means that many consumers remain reluctant to open up to family, friends and their community about their cannabis use, despite its now-legal status.

As mentioned earlier, I had an opportunity to speak with the brainchild behind Caribbean Christmas Reena Rampersad, and as usual, her passion for this topic resonates on such a high level (no pun intended; okay maybe a little).

“Prohibition was really successful in excluding the Caribbean community from the benefits of cannabis,” Reena tells me. “We can’t let go of the negative stigma that they created. We bought into it so much that we still are jumping out of the pool, while everyone is jumping in.

History shows how criminalization and systemic racism have caused Black people to be disproportionately incarcerated and Black children to be overrepresented among those removed from their parents. As a result, Black individuals are often reluctant to speak about their marijuana use.

“When information aligns more with a consumers’ own lived experiences and/or with the views held in Black communities, the more often people in those communities will trust it, and this is why events like Caribbean Christmas are so important. Cannabis and its use have received relatively little study in Canada, and most existing data is homogenized — and is not specific to Black communities, or their unique experiences.

This is for a good reason; our community has paid so much for worshiping this plant, while White men, in corporate suits, are reaping the benefits.

We have to find a way to involve the community in active discourse around the topic of cannabis. Why not use: Caribbean music, Caribbean cocktails (infusion optional), and engaging, healthy discussions to support our goal to educate the community on a plant that could bring such: spiritual, emotional, mental, and financial benefits to our community.

It is time to transform the narrative; come out and enjoy delightful surprises throughout the evening, including tropical-themed giveaways, interactive activities, and more! Tickets can be found at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/frosty-air-spicy-flavors-experience-the-magic-of-caribbean-christmas-tickets-756330453747?aff=oddtdtcreator