Cannabis is changing everything from politics to permaculture, helping us evolve in the way we think about money, mind, culture, and health. With the advent of legalization, more and more events are cropping up around the cannabis plant itself, from VR headset weed parties to Coachella side-festivals, and even weddings.
The latest, upcoming cannabis affair is a five-day retreat called Cannabliss in Ojai, California. “The purpose is to expand the mind, awaken the spirit, and strengthen the body, using cannabis as a tool to enhance all those areas and allow people to separate themselves from the monkey mind chatter of their lives, go inwards, and center themselves,” says Sari Gabbay, CEO of creative agency Redefining Cannabis, and founder of Cannabliss.
The retreat programming is meant to facilitate all the different ways someone can experience and utilize cannabis for mindfulness and wellbeing. The day begins with family style gourmet food, some of which is infused with cannabis, before embarking on activities like yoga, cardio exercise, or hiking. The retreat also features plant medicine ceremonies with cannabis, kava, cacao, and other herbs, as well as educational seminars on the endocannabinoid system and ways to use weed for healing, sex, and relationships.
The retreat itself is fairly intimate, with room for about only 17 people, plus facilitators. Guests can opt for accommodations through Cannabliss, or find their own around Ojai. The entire weekend costs between $1010 and $1212, depending on if you want to go glamping or get cushy in actual bedroom. Single day passes are also an option.
“My intention is to redefine cannabis and give these experiences to people who are curious and want to experience it in a safe environment, where they feel comfortable and can learn,” Gabbay tells Jane Street. “My goal is to bring more of that to mainstream society.” Part of that also means facilitating people’s connection to plants and nature — for many, cannabis is a gateway plant that helps them begin to live a more holistic lifestyle, overall.
Cannabis, itself is a natural superfood: The whole plant can be used for a variety of medicinal benefits, beyond just smoking it, says Liz Rudner, co-founder of MoonMan Mistress edible company, one of Cannabliss’ sponsors. “We’re about empowering people to heal their bodies with food, whether you use cannabis as a medical patient or recreationally,” she says. Rudner will be supplying edibles for all the retreats guests, including CBD cacao peppermint cookies and pumpkin pecan spice cake. The idea is to combine cannabis with other beneficial plants and herbs.
“I’m hoping people have a different, more open mind and don’t dwell on edibles or cannabis as what they did in high school or college. We’ve elevated it and put a lot of love and effort into making it a positive experience,” Rudner says. “We’re healers, not dealers.”
