{"id":5768,"date":"2017-12-09T19:23:34","date_gmt":"2017-12-10T00:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lcpllutzlivetotell.org\/?p=5768"},"modified":"2019-08-08T12:55:18","modified_gmt":"2019-08-08T16:55:18","slug":"good-people-smoke-marijuana-meet-lauren-gibbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/?p=5768","title":{"rendered":"Good People Smoke Marijuana: Meet Lauren Gibbs"},"content":{"rendered":"<header id=\"mvp-post-head\" class=\"left relative\">\n<h1 class=\"mvp-post-title left entry-title\">Good People Smoke Marijuana: Meet Lauren Gibbs<\/h1>\n<p>She works with Willie Nelson, so she\u2019s obviously dope AF.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mvp-author-info-wrap left relative\">\n<div class=\"mvp-author-info-thumb left relative\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-author-info-text left relative\">\n<div class=\"mvp-author-info-date left relative\"><span class=\"mvp-post-date updated\"><time class=\"post-date updated\" datetime=\"2017-12-09\">December 9, 2017 <\/time><\/span>By<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-author-info-name left relative\">\u00a0<span class=\"author-name vcard fn author\"><a title=\"Posts by Jeff Siegel\" href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/author\/jeffsiegel\/\" rel=\"author\">Jeff Siegel<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"mvp-post-main-out left relative\">\n<div class=\"mvp-post-main-in\">\n<div id=\"mvp-post-content\" class=\"left relative\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"mvp-post-feat-img\" class=\"left relative mvp-post-feat-img-wide2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-Willie-Nelson.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-Willie-Nelson.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-Willie-Nelson-100x60.jpg 100w, https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-Willie-Nelson-400x240.jpg 400w, https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-Willie-Nelson-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-Willie-Nelson-590x354.jpg 590w\" alt=\"Good People Smoke Marijuana: Meet Lauren Gibbs\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" \/><\/div>\n<div id=\"mvp-content-wrap\" class=\"left relative\">\n<div class=\"mvp-post-soc-out right relative\">\n<div class=\"mvp-post-soc-wrap left relative\">\n<div class=\"theiaStickySidebar\">\n<div class=\"resize-sensor\">\n<div class=\"resize-sensor-expand\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"resize-sensor-shrink\">\n<div>\u00a0A couple of months ago, in response to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/news\/heres-jeff-sessions-latest-attack-marijuana\/\">ridiculous comment made by Jeff Sessions<\/a>, who declared that \u201cgood people don\u2019t smoke marijuana,\u201d I launched a new series called,\u00a0<i>\u201c<\/i>Good People Smoke Marijuana.\u201d The intention of this series is to draw attention to regular folks who consume or support the legalization of cannabis\u2014and who are actually good people that deserve some positive recognition. Back in September, I highlighted\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/culture\/good-people-smoke-marijuana-meet-shelly-wahweotten\/\">Native American activist Shelly Wahweotten<\/a>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>This month, I\u2019d like to introduce you to Lauren Gibbs.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-post-soc-in\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-body\" class=\"left relative\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-body-top\" class=\"left\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-main\" class=\"left relative\">\n<div id=\"tps_slideContainer_176612\" class=\"theiaPostSlider_slides\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n<div class=\"mvp-post-soc-in\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-body\" class=\"left relative\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-body-top\" class=\"left\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-main\" class=\"left relative\">\n<div id=\"tps_slideContainer_176612\" class=\"theiaPostSlider_slides\">\n<div class=\"theiaPostSlider_preloadedSlide\">\n<h2 class=\"p1\">Meet Lauren Gibbs<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-176639\" src=\"https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-1.jpg\" alt=\"Good People Smoke Marijuana: Meet Lauren Gibbs\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Lauren Gibbs is a social media strategist who focuses on cause-related marketing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">In other words, through her company\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/riseabovesocial.com\/about\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Rise Above Social Strategies<\/a>, she helps businesses and non-profits that are making the world a better place, fine-tune their social media presence.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>She\u2019s also the mastermind behind #EndTheSocialCannaBan, which is a watchdog group fighting the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/news\/instagram-hackers-target-weed-business-accounts\/\">social media censorship<\/a>\u00a0of cannabis-related businesses and organizations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Today, I\u2019d like you to meet her.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2\">\n<div id=\"ad_pos_article_middlecontenta\" class=\"ad_pos_article_middlecontenta article_middleContentA dfp_ad_pos\" data-google-query-id=\"CO34qd6ag9gCFRBgwQodbOYFdw\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/5667049\/article_middleContentA_0__container__\"><b>LG:\u00a0<\/b>I see a lot of cannabis companies give social media a solid push for three months. Company leadership loses interest when they feel like their efforts aren\u2019t paying off, and social media gets de-prioritized. Social media feels instant, and that tricks people into thinking they don\u2019t need a long-term strategy to build relationships with customers.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-post-soc-wrap left relative\">\n<div class=\"theiaStickySidebar\">\n<div class=\"resize-sensor\">\n<div class=\"resize-sensor-expand\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"p1\">The reality is that building a social media community that cheers for your brand is hard work, and it takes years to get it right. I started working with Willie Nelson\u2019s cannabis company a year before the product even launched! The leadership at Willie\u2019s Reserve understood the investment of time and skill that a strong brand demands, and thanks to their willingness to lay the groundwork early, we were able to build a community of fans that showed up as soon as the products debuted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>HT: There\u2019s a new documentary out called\u00a0<i><a href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/business\/lit-ventures-why-i-invested-in-the-women-of-weed\/\">Mary Janes: The Women of Weed<\/a>,\u00a0<\/i>which is actually a client of yours<i>.<\/i><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s an excellent movie that takes a look at the very important connection between social equity and the cannabis industry.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>The movie doesn\u2019t glorify or promote drug use. It\u2019s simply an educational documentary. But Facebook wouldn\u2019t allow producers to promote the movie on Facebook.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>What happened?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>LG:<\/b>\u00a0I joined the film\u2019s production team to tell a story that could help mainstream America understand the forces for good that exist in the cannabis industry. As any documentary film\u2019s marketing team should, we planned to promote our true story of\u00a0<em>Mary Janes<\/em>\u00a0on Facebook. Unfortunately, ads for the documentary have been and continue to be censored, with the rationale that the \u201cproduct promotes illegal activity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Last year, Facebook blocked the film\u2019s Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. The decision was reversed after weeks of appeals\u2014the day after the campaign ended. This fall, the film\u2019s trailer was blocked in the critical pre-festival premiere promotion period. Weeks of appeals finally brought a reversal of the censorship\u2014the day after the world premiere! These two instances alone cost the film many thousands of dollars in contributions and millions of lost impressions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>HT: It\u2019s interesting that Facebook is involved in so many worthwhile philanthropic projects, yet won\u2019t support those who are actively doing things to help end the War on Drugs, which has its\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/culture\/crimes-reefer-madness\/\">roots based in racism and violence<\/a>. Do you think this is because management hasn\u2019t made this connection or do you think this is just a matter of fear? In other words, are companies like Facebook and Instagram simply afraid of doing anything that might \u201cpoke the bear\u201d\u2014which in this case is the federal government<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>LG:<\/b>\u00a0There are really two separate issues here.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">First is cannabis commerce. Even if they wanted to support cannabis legalization, Facebook is already under fire for election manipulation. It\u2019s just not an ideal time for a controversial move that would antagonize Jeff Sessions or the Justice Department. Facebook is a business, and I understand that it\u2019s complicated. I dream of a day when dispensaries can use Facebook\u2019s geo-targeting and age restriction technology to market only to adults in legal states who are interested in cannabis. That is smart, responsible marketing. But Facebook is justifiably afraid to regulate advertising for commerce that is not yet federally legal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Second is cannabis advocacy and education. There is no reason to censor advocacy for cannabis legalization or education about its use. In fact, Facebook\u2019s terms of service explicitly permit users to \u201cadvocate for the legality of criminal activities.\u201d Advocates, educators, medical professionals and documentary filmmakers are very likely in compliance with Facebook\u2019s terms. Unfortunately, Facebook\u2019s sloppy enforcement confuses advocacy with commerce, and their inability to distinguish between the two slows down the legalization movement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>HT: As a migraine sufferer, you\u2019ve personally benefited from cannabis.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>How did you discover cannabis as a treatment?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>LG:<\/b>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/health\/science\/research-finds-cannabis-based-medication-successful-in-treating-migraines\/\">Migraine attacks<\/a>\u00a0became a dominant force in my life around 2006. I spent years being treated by experts, half-living on more than a dozen pharmaceuticals. Despite all the pills and injections I tried, I was never really \u201cbetter.\u201d I had been a long-time occasional cannabis consumer, and the potential benefits of medical marijuana were finally reaching the mainstream conversation for the first time. When I decided to leave DC, I only considered places with medical marijuana access. I moved to Colorado in 2012, and I got my medical card right away. By 2014, I had become a daily medical marijuana user\u2014and only then did I experience the full medical benefit. That was the year I started my business. Cannabis has been a major force for positive change in my health, career and life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>HT: What was it like being a migraine patient looking for information about medical marijuana?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>LG:<\/b>\u00a0Almost all neurologists specializing in the field have little or no useful information to share with patients who want to\u00a0explore medical marijuana. Migraine forums that exist online rarely discuss cannabis as a treatment tool. It took me years of trial and error to find the right cannabis regimen for my migraine condition because there is no information out there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">I hear from someone looking for advice every time I say something publicly about my experience as a migraine patient.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>As any migraineur will know, the condition is highly individualized, so you\u2019ll need to calibrate a regimen that works for you. I use cannabis daily to manage one of my biggest triggers: stress. I have cut out alcohol completely and have a \u201cchill pill\u201d that grow in my backyard. At the onset of migraine symptoms, I used to take expensive abortives like Mirganol or Imitrex, with very limited success. Now, I rely on a 1:1 THC:CBD combination.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/health\/cbd\/best-cbd-products\/\">CBD<\/a>\u00a0alone doesn\u2019t cut it for me, so I rely on a 1:1 THC:CBD combo when I feel symptoms coming on. It\u2019s an effective, natural and affordable abortive. At home, I will vape a 1:1 strain like Cannatonic.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>And I don\u2019t leave home without my 1:1 distillate oil vape pen. It\u2019s my migraine rescue inhaler. Sublingual tinctures are also a great option.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>HT:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><b>Maybe if someone high up at Facebook has migraines, they should give you a call.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>LG:\u00a0<\/b>DM me on Instagram! You can find me\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/RiseAboveSocial\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">@RiseAboveSocial<\/a>\u00a0where my business takes a stand for #migraineawareness and medical marijuana.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Unfortunately, the bosses at Facebook and Instagram probably won\u2019t be able to find the info I\u2019m sharing because of their platform\u2019s persistent censorship of cannabis education and even personal stories like mine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>HT: One of your clients is Willie\u2019s Reserve.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>What\u2019s it like working for one of the most culturally significant cannabis brands in the world?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>LG:<\/b>\u00a0Willie Nelson has such a storied life, with a long history of speaking out and standing up for what he believes in. When someone trusts you with that story, it is an enormous responsibility. Playing out that personality on social media requires a constant conversation about mapping the brand\u2019s voice around Willie\u2019s legendary values.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Case in point: Meaningful support for the LGBT community requires more than a Pride Month promotion. It means you show up when the LGBT community is under attack. So when transgender troops were under fire from the president last summer, I encouraged Willie\u2019s Reserve to speak up for something we already know their namesake believes in. The company posted a graphic overlaid by the transgender flag with Willie\u2019s famous quote, \u201cIf you really want to get along with somebody, let them be themselves.\u201d It is one of the most shared images in the company\u2019s history.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-176641\" src=\"https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-3.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-3.jpg 792w, https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-3-100x84.jpg 100w, https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-3-285x240.jpg 285w, https:\/\/3ncb884ou5e49t9eb3fpeur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Lauren-Gibbs-3-768x648.jpg 768w\" alt=\"Good People Smoke Marijuana: Meet Lauren Gibbs\" width=\"792\" height=\"668\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>HT: Willie Nelson is clearly a humanitarian, having done so much for the nation\u2019s farmers and the hungry.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>There are a lot of other folks on your client list, too, who also seem to have a moral objective outside of their core businesses.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>Do you take these types of things into consideration before accepting new clients?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>LG:<\/b>\u00a0Corporate social responsibility is a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hightimes.com\/health\/cbd\/cannabis-investing-is-a-moral-imperative\/\">moral imperative<\/a>, but it\u2019s also<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>great marketing. The market research shows that millennials care where their dollars go. They choose brands that share their values. The success of companies like Toms, Warby Parker and Willie\u2019s Reserve is largely due to the opportunity they offer for customers to feel good about their purchases. That kind of emotional connection inspires brand loyalty, too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">And, on a personal note, I started my own business with the goal of working exclusively with brands that are working to make the world a better place. Yes, it is good marketing strategy, but to put my heart into my work, the work has to align with something in my own heart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>HT: Once the federal prohibition on cannabis is lifted, how will you celebrate?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>LG:<\/b>\u00a0I\u2019ll play a tune on this guitar I have with Willie Nelson\u2019s signature on it. I don\u2019t know how to play the guitar yet, but I figure I\u2019ve still got a few years to learn.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">To learn more about Rise Above Social Strategies\u2019 watchdog campaign for social media censorship of cannabis, #EndTheSocialCannaBan, click\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/riseabovesocial.com\/endthesocialcannaban\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"resize-sensor-shrink\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mvp-post-soc-in\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-body\" class=\"left relative\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-body-top\" class=\"left\">\n<div id=\"mvp-content-main\" class=\"left relative\">\n<div id=\"tps_slideContainer_176612\" class=\"theiaPostSlider_slides\">\n<div class=\"theiaPostSlider_preloadedSlide\">\n<p class=\"p1\">Retrieved from: https:\/\/hightimes.com\/culture\/good-people-smoke-marijuana-meet-lauren-gibbs\/<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><\/h2>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2\">\n<div id=\"ad_pos_article_middlecontenta\" class=\"ad_pos_article_middlecontenta article_middleContentA dfp_ad_pos\" data-google-query-id=\"CO34qd6ag9gCFRBgwQodbOYFdw\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/5667049\/article_middleContentA_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-3\">\n<div id=\"ad_pos_article_middlecontentb\" class=\"ad_pos_article_middlecontentb article_middleContentB dfp_ad_pos\" data-google-query-id=\"CPujqt6ag9gCFRJ6wQodLrsOoQ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Good People Smoke Marijuana: Meet Lauren Gibbs She works with Willie Nelson, so she\u2019s obviously dope AF. December 9, 2017 By \u00a0Jeff Siegel \u00a0A couple of months ago, in response to the\u00a0ridiculous comment made by Jeff Sessions, who declared that \u201cgood people don\u2019t smoke marijuana,\u201d I launched a new series &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[617],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cannabis"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5768"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5768\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lutzlivetotell.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}