By Bethan Rose Jenkins

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) is among us. This month-long event honors the ways in which these groups have helped to shape the United States. As many as 22 million Asian Americans have relatives in 20 countries spread around East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, while 1.5 million Americans identify as Pacific Islanders.

May was chosen to be AAPI Month for two reasons: 

  1. The first Japanese immigrant was a 14-year-old boy known as “Manjiro.” He arrived on US soil by whaling ship on May 7, 1843. 
  2. Golden Spike Day acknowledges the laborious efforts of Chinese workers upon the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.

After the 2009 signing of Proclamation 8369 commemorating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, President Obama wrote,“The vast diversity of languages, religions, and cultural traditions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continues to strengthen the fabric of American society. During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we remember the challenges and celebrate the achievements that define our history.”

 The AAPI community has impacted everything from atomic science and civil rights to food and farm work. The cannabis industry is no exception. Cannabis – a plant with roots tracing back to Central Asia and traditional Asian medicines – was the inspiration and foundation for these recommended AAPI-owned brands:

1. Complete Hemp – This AAPI-owned and led CBD brand was co-founded by the first Filipino CEO of a cannabis company, Howard Hoffman. A UNFI CBD Pitch Slam Award-winner, Complete Hemp merges Ayurvedic medicine – one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent – into its product lines. The line features high-quality CBD and CBG oil-blended products designed to ease pain and amplify skin health, with the CBD gummies, veggie caps, topicals, and Collagen Booster Serum with CBD Full Spectrum being popular choices. Complete Hemp’s product line is certified by the nationally- and federally-recognized USPAAC – the largest and most established non-profit organization representing Pan Asian Americans.

2. Leune – Nidhi Lucky Handa is an entrepreneur and the brains behind Leune. Leune was founded in 2017 and makes premium, low-dose cannabis products for women. Handa is a former investment banker who saw a need in the industry for consumer-friendly and productive cannabis products. Leune is now among California’s hottest cannabis companies. Handa has also been an outspoken supporter of social equity. She seeks to level the playing field for minoritized communities that have been hit harder by the drug war.

3. STIIIZY – Now recognized as a household name, STIIIZY was established four years ago by honorably discharged combat veteran James Kim following his 13-month tour in Iraq. Cannabis provided Kim with respite from the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and he was compelled to share his positive experience with others through the STIIIZY brand name. STIIIZY is regarded as the best-selling THC concentrate vaporizer company in California. Aside from the hybrid, sativa, indica, and CBD pods, customers can also stock up on blunts, pre-rolls, edibles, and potent extracts.

4. Nouera – Two Asian American females, Cynthia Boedihardjo and Jessica Sharp, are the faces behind San Francisco-based Nouera. Identifying as a conscious entertainment company, Nouera curates educational events centered around the green plant. Each event features appearances from people who believe in cannabis’ healing properties, such as healers, artists, and speakers.

5. Sundae School – Another Asian-American cannabis brand that deserves a big mention is Sundae School. Creative director, co-founder, and designer Dae Lim was born and raised in South Korea’s capital of Seoul, but he immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 10. His company’s product range is laden with edibles, starter packs, and smokable goods. Options include the effect-specific “Mochi” gummies, vegan hybrid gummies, hash-infused pre-roll packs labeled “Tinies”, hash-infused pre-roll singles labeled “Mighty”, and a smokewear label that recently found its way onto a fashion show runway at House of Cannabis in SoHo.

6. K-Zen – Judy Yee, a “cannamom” with family in Japan, is working hard to help people microdose their cannabis with K-Zen beverage products. This brand was co-founded alongside long-time friend and former colleague, Soon Yu. Boasting over 20 years of experience in the health, wellness, food, and beverages industries, Yee felt inspired to launch the parent company in 2019 after dabbling in topicals. She has since developed a range of infused drinks and tonics, including Mad Lilly, with mouth-watering flavors like raspberry hibiscus, ginger pear, and passion fruit mango.

7. Tsumo Snacks– Caroline Yeh’s experience in the cannabis industry played a pivotal role in the founding of Tsumo Snacks. After working her way up the ranks at Bloom Farms and Kiva Confections, Yeh used her expertise to create a line of savory, crunchy edibles for the recreational cannabis market. Salty-savory edibles were popular in the medical cannabis market but had been crowded out by the influx of sweets and gummies. Her innovative approach to cannabis-infused snacks has gained widespread recognition, including an early investment from hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg. Together, Yeh and Snoop Dogg launched “Uncle Snoop’s Snazzle Os”, a line of cannabis-infused onion and spicy onion crispy flavored rings that consumers love.