Vivian welcomes Riley Brain to Hempresent to discuss Riley's business, Wandering Bud. Riley had a background in music education and was feeling unfulfilled in her teaching career, so in 2016 she decided to create her own business offering unique and fashionable cannabis smoking paraphernalia. She wanted a product that could look naturally displayed among her art objects in her home, which is why she chose ceramic as the material to make her pipes, bongs, and accessories. Ceramic is opaque and easy to clean, and Riley found a second-hand kiln to use for the process. She has been successful in the industry, with her fans ranging from cannabis connoisseurs and home decor aficionados to those simply curious or seeking aesthetic inspiration.
Riley and her team of seven women artists design a specialized selection of cannabis-related merchandise as part of their commitment to building an equitable community. To support equity, Riley’s team hires people of color, collaborates with black and brown artists, contracts with other workers, and donates to two organizations each month. One is local, Kansas City Gift, which provides grants to black-owned businesses on the city’s east side. The other is Broccoli Magazine’s Floric Coalition, which donates to different equity-oriented organizations. Having a studio based on Truce Avenue, a historic racial dividing line in Kansas City, is a constant reminder of the need to give back to the community.
Riley Brain of Wandering Bud is a female canopreneur who is optimistic about the progress being made in the cannabis industry. She discussed the challenges faced by women in the industry, particularly the “grass ceiling” which is an extension of the glass ceiling idea. Riley also commented on the incident at MJ BIZCON where a group of men was wearing t-shirts that said “buy weed from rich white men”, which was met with backlash from the community. Riley then discussed her product line of unique cannabis smoking pieces and accessories, which are available on her website and at various retailers.