Jackie Howze is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of the plant. As assistant manager at The Artist Tree in West Hollywood, California, Howze works to create a welcoming environment where education meets empowerment. From guiding novices through their first experience to shattering myths about women in the industry’s ever-evolving climate, Howze is on a mission to normalize cannabis and help others discover its benefits.
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What are some ways in which you have used cannabis to feel empowered?
I started working in this industry because I found it so interesting that cannabis was becoming non-taboo. For me, that made me feel empowered, because I knew if I could get into the industry, I could help other people feel better. The healing properties of the plant alone and the knowledge that it can not only change my day but also change someone else’s—that’s empowering to me. It’s a beautiful space to be in, and I’m glad I’m here.
In your experience, what do female consumers want?
I get a lot of women customers who like vapes and edibles. A few are into flower, but most women prefer the first two. I’m not really sure why that is. Maybe because they don’t want to be looked at a certain way because of the smell that often comes with smoking cannabis, especially considering we women already have to be so conscious of how we present ourselves in every interaction.
How do you educate women seeking their first experience?
I always start by asking, “Have you ever experienced cannabis before, or is this 100-percent your first time?” I try to figure out if they’ve ever been around the plant before even if they haven’t consumed—just a general idea of their history with the plant. From there, I start asking what they’re comfortable with, whether they like smoking, drinking, eating edibles, taking tinctures, etcetera.
Once we’ve established their preferred method for ingestion, I recommend they start with the smallest dosage, or I’ll try to give them something with CBD to let them know they can kick off with something a little less intense—dip their toe in first and figure it out from there.
What’s the most common question customers ask?
When asking about a product, I most commonly hear the question “How will it make me feel?”
What myth about being a woman in the cannabis industry would you most like to bust?
That girls can’t smoke heavy! Don’t get it twisted: Girls smoke. In fact, I feel like we smoke the most. I get together with my friends or fellow budtenders, and we are going and going and going. There’s this myth that girls can’t handle their weed, but we can definitely put it down.
What has your job as a budtender taught you about yourself?
It’s taught me to just be more self-aware and patient with others. When I first started budtending, I had to understand the different personalities that were coming in and also really understand that this plant is a medicine. Whether you’re self-medicating or you’ve got a prescription to use the plant for something very specific, cannabis can really help. Not every shoe fits on the same person, so I’ve learned to think more outside the box when helping others.
What has being a budtender taught you about the world?
That things aren’t black and white. I see so many different types of people come in, from elders to young people to medical patients who are using cannabis for serious health reasons. It’s really opened my eyes to how many different walks of life there are.
How has being an unapologetic advocate for the plant impacted your role?
It’s been a really positive thing. Understanding the plant can actually help people has helped me. I feel like that alone makes me push harder as a budtender, especially when I’m talking to people who came in for moral support but aren’t actually planning to partake. They want to see what’s going on, and it’s my job to show them “hey, this is normal.” It’s just like how a bar would function except, in my opinion, a dispensary is a lot less intense than that environment. It’s my job to let people know they don’t have to feel bad about enjoying the plant or being here, and I love that.
What advice would you give to your younger self about being unapologetically you?
I would say, “Just continue to keep going. Not everyone will like you and everything won’t always go your way, but you have to push yourself and never be afraid to stand out in a crowd.”
