Fatherly advice: A conversation with Dads about cannabis

Fathers often serve as role models in their families and communities. In the cannabis industry, they can help overcome significant stigma and misunderstanding. Knowledgeable and responsible fathers can shift perceptions and highlight the industry’s benefits. Their involvement can normalize cannabis use, reduce stigma, and educate others about responsible consumption and potential medical benefits.

Those in the cannabis industry have the opportunity to educate not only the public, but also their children, about the realities of cannabis including; its medicinal uses, the importance of regulation, and the distinction between responsible use and abuse. This educational role will eventually lead to future generations that are well-informed about cannabis consumption and the industry it’s built on.

For fathers who use cannabis medicinally, it can be a crucial part of their health and wellness regimen. By managing their health alongside cannabis, they can be more present and active in their children’s lives. Their personal experiences can also provide insights into the therapeutic potential of cannabis, encouraging a more holistic approach to health.

Greenway recently spoke to a handful of fathers in different roles in Missouri’s cannabis industry, hoping to learn how they talk about cannabis and balance work and home life.

Tim Pickett is the founder of GreenFrame, an app that allows cannabis consumers and retail workers to get in-depth information, education, and a layered access experience to their favorite cannabis products.

When did you become a father?

16 years ago.  My son was born on Father’s Day in 2008.

How many children do you have and what are their names?

Timothy 16 and Mya 12.

What was it like becoming a dad?

At first, I was terrified. The moment my son was born, my wife instantly became a super mom, but I struggled with the complete lifestyle change that came with being a new dad. I had just spent the previous ten years in the music industry, constantly on the road and living the nightlife. However, after the first two years, I settled right in and have loved every second of it.
Becoming a dad is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me. I cherish every moment with my family. Sports and music have always been huge parts of my life, and I’m lucky to see them become important to my kids as well. I go to every practice, game, performance, tournament, and concert—everything. My family means everything to me.

If they’re old enough, do they know what you do for a living?

Yes, they do. We have never stigmatized the word ‘cannabis’ in our house. They have heard my wife and me talk about its benefits and how it has helped close family and friends.

How do you balance your career in the cannabis industry with fatherhood?

Initially, I was very tight-lipped about my job when I was around other parents. I didn’t want my career to negatively affect my child’s life in any way. I always said that I work in technology and own a software company, which is true—I just didn’t mention that it’s in the cannabis industry until I felt it was safe. Over the years, this has changed, and I’ve honestly never had a negative reaction, at least not to my face. I’ve had some blank stares, but no one has grabbed their kids and run the other way.

When will/did you decide to talk to them about cannabis?

I talked to both of them around 10-11.  Right around when school started to talk about alcohol and “drugs.”

What challenges have you faced as a parent working in a regulated industry like cannabis?

Honestly, the biggest challenge has been what I tell people I do for a living.  I was a kid in the 80’s, so the “this is your brain on drugs frying pan” commercial was tattooed into my psyche.  I was also in the first D.A.R.E. program graduation class in Missouri. Even decades later, I still hold back a bit when talking about my job to people I don’t know. I was hesitant for a moment to answer these questions, to be honest!

How do you plan to educate your children about your work in the cannabis industry as they grow older?  

I talk about it when it comes up in the news or when we pass a dispensary. I ask if they have any questions or how it is discussed in school. Towards the end of my son’s last semester, he wanted to do a paper on GreenFrame, CBD, and my work in the medical market in Missouri. I was very appreciative of his interest but asked him to run it by his teachers beforehand. To my amazement, I received an email from his teacher, with him copied, saying that she appreciated him asking and was 100% on board with it. It was a very cool moment.

Adam Lizana is an assistant manager at Kind Goods, overseeing their Fenton, Missouri location.

When did you become a father?

   

I became a father on October 15th, 2021. I was 22 years old then, as my birthday was 10 days before that! I’m 24 now.

How many children do you have?

I have one son, Emilio, and two baby girls on the way in August! Nina and Maeve!

What was it like becoming a dad?

Becoming a dad is all I’ve ever wanted in my life; kids are amazing, and to be able to leave a legacy on this earth for generations past my lifetime, I think, is the real impact you leave on this planet. My wife and I have done years of IVF (In vitro fertilization) to have our children; my son was our rainbow baby from our first cycle, the only healthy egg we got. So when we went to try again for another, we were surprised to get multiple embryos to transfer! We knew we wanted a girl, so we put two in, and they both stuck! So, I deeply love science, Cannabis, and Babies!

What’s your favorite thing about having children?

My favorite thing about my son Emilio is that he is the funniest, sweetest little kid I’ve ever been around. He wants to do everything and see everything! Watching him experience new things for the first time, which I may have experienced 100 times, is the biggest blessing and makes life much sweeter. I can’t wait to see him become an older brother!

If they’re old enough, do they know what you do for a living?

My son is only two, so he doesn’t know what I do for work yet, but he grabs my agent ID badge every day I leave for work and says that’s daddy, and I tell him I’m a secret agent.

When will you decide to talk to them about cannabis?

Whenever he is old enough to understand or see what I’m doing, I plan just to explain my passion for cannabis and how it medically has changed my life. A good friend of mine told me he tells his kids that he is going out to medicate instead of saying, “Hey, I’m going to smoke real quick,” and I think that’s how I’d like to be with my kids.