North Bay Woman

36 NORTH BAY WOMAN | S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 By Judith M. Wilson B eautifully packaged, tasty con- fections appeal to both the eye and palate, but when they come from the Garden Society, they offer more. The fl edgling Sonoma County company adds low doses of cannabis to its products and designs them specifi cally for women, with the intention of aiding their health and wellness. Company founder Erin Gore, of Healds- burg, a former college athlete, fi rst expe- rienced the benefi ts of medical marijuana after undergoing two hip surgeries. She found the therapeutic properties of the can- nabinoids it contains useful in managing the pain during her recovery, and as a chemical engineer, she also became interested in the science and the use of cannabis as medicine. Later, after working in the corporate world for 11 years and traveling around the globe, "I was just chronically stressed out," she says, and once again turned to cannabis. It helped her sleep and manage stress, but she found that the products available didn't consider the needs of women. She envi- sioned something delicious, with a low dose of cannabis and knowledge of where it came from, but it didn't exist. So she decided to start her own business. "In the past, the dosage (for women) was far too strong," she says, and so the Gar- den Society develops products with small amounts, and the right components and correct balance are important factors, too. It might require choosing a strain that encour- ages sleep, if that's the purpose. The canna- bis is locally grown, pesticide-free, does not contain any chemicals, and it goes through several levels of testing to ensure quality and consistency. The confections use all natural ingredients, and to make it easy for busy women, each fruit gelée or piece of choco- late is an individual dose, so it's not necessary to break off a piece and wonder if it's the right size. "I think that makes people feel more comfortable," says Karli Warner, of Petaluma, who handles the company's marketing and communications. She also points out that the Garden Society's fl oral packaging is attractive, so clients can keep their products out in the open. "We wanted something that women could be proud of," she says. Dispensing information is one of the company's goals too. "We want to educate women and provide Culture Change Fledgling Sonoma County company adds low doses of cannabis to products intended for women "We wanted something that women could be proud of." – Erin Gore

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