Prince George to host its fourth cannabis festival, “Cannabration”

Furnell explained the festival is bringing a lot more than just a good time, as events like these are also meant to destigmatize cannabis and bring education beyond just the recreational use. For example, Anisha Reindorf, Owner/Producer of Highku.Co Productions, explained her company takes a holistic approach to cannabis and the many ways it can benefit your health and wellness.

“Most of the seniors that we have here today, their grandparents used that. They saw it in their medicine cabinet. It’s only through growing up and prohibition that there’s this war on drugs, but right now they’re realizing the benefits of it and, again, their grandparents used it, so why shouldn’t they? So if we can show this in a holistic way by doing events like this and bringing it across Canada and breaking the stigmas every way we can, why not?” Reindorf said.

It’s backed by science and medical professionals as well, as Chelsea Strang, a Licensed Practical Nurse, Holistic Cannabis Nurse, and Cannabis Coach and Consultant, says there are many benefits to cannabis. She plans on speaking about how the body is impacted by cannabis and the healing benefits it can bring.

“Let’s take inhalation for example. If you’re smoking it, it has a quicker onset for someone that may have nausea or vomiting. An alternative to inhalation would be sublingual, that could help. That has the onset that will work quickly with a headache or pain or any other ailment you may be using cannabis form,” Strang said.

“There’s more evidence coming out that it is a safe alternative for plant medicine. So knowing everything about it can help you make your best informed decision,” Strang continued.

Destigmatizing cannabis and showcasing the many uses are one of the key focuses for the festival, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity for businesses. Blake McVittie is the CEO of Smyle Brands, and he says his brand is currently the only one in B.C. that offers a cannabis beverage. Festivals like this are great for businesses like his to get some exposure, connect with the customer, and show the community what his product is all about.

“We get to speak directly to consumers and educate them, and tell our story, discuss our products, things like that. Really excited to do that,” he said.

“It’s kind of similar to a seltzer or a soda pop, but infused with cannabis. We use nanotechnology, so we take cannabis, we make it water soluble, and then we shrink it down so it hits you harder and faster. Models the graph of alcohol, so it’s similar to, I hate to compare it, but similar to an alcohol product, but a cannabis version,” he continued.

Furnell said in a past 2021 event held in Kelowna that brought $350,000 to the local community’s economy, so hosting this in Prince George should be a big boost to Prince George businesses even outside of the cannabis sphere.

“Just by having those extra people in the community, you’re always going to have a benefit to the local businesses. And that’s what I like to do, every event I do, I make sure that I engage with the local businesses, and every opportunity to sell their goods is an opportunity which I’d like to be a part of,” Furnell said.

“Cannabration” will be unique to the other festivals held in Prince George thanks to “Cannadrag,” a first of its kind drag show involving cannabis. Reindorf is the producer of Cannadrag, and she said she’s thrilled to bring it to Prince George.

“We just won an award for the Best Reoccurring Drag Show in Alberta, and just won another award for the Best Cannabis Event in Canada,” Reindorf said.

“We started this two years ago, I’ve been doing it every other month. Got to raise money for different foundations right across Canada, including YMCA, Leduc Pride Society, so we’re just out here just trying to raise money, trying to help the youth out while educating everybody in the process,” she continued.

Cannadrag will take place on Saturday, but the festival itself is running on Friday up to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 12:00-9:00 p.m.

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by Tommy Osborne

Prince George to host its fourth cannabis festival, “Cannabration”

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