SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)—- Tina Holava-Hughes knows all about the marijuana business. From growing, to selling it because she believes in its positive effects.
In order to share her knowledge and provide exposure for her new business, Holava-Hughes threw a launch party like no other. Mothers Medicinals is a family run company by Holava-Hughes and her daughter Samantha Hughes. At the launch party attendees could participate in edibles and buy merchandise and jewelry from one of the many vendors that were setup.
The event was sponsored by rapper Snoop Dogg’s vodka brand True Legacy, which according to Hughes was only fitting giving the occasion.
“It’s Snoop Dog so obviously he wanted to link it to something cool and not some lame event. So, what better than Snoop Dog supporting a pot party,” said Hughes.
The party was held in Downtown, Syracuse at a night club called Benjamin’s on Franklin. The main goal of the event was to put Mothers Medicinals and other businesses on people’s radar. While attendees were networking, Holava-Hughes walked around offering edibles. However, Holava-Hughes says there is so much more to the weed business than the high.
“I never sold a bag of weed to people who just want to get high….It wasn’t about the high, it’s more about the healing aspect of it. I consider myself a self-proclaimed healer,” said Holava-Hughes.
According to Holava-Hughes she plans on selling hemp cannabis when her business is up and running.
“Hemp is the… what you can make things out of. It’s not the part that gets you high. You could build things with it, either ropes, clothing it’s part of the plant… it’s a CBD part of the plant,” said Holava-Hughes.
Possession and recreational use of marijuana has been legal in New York since April 2021, but the state has not licensed any businesses to sell it legally. This is expected to change this year or in 2023. Because Holava-Hughes has sold weed on the streets illegally before she is a part of something called the “legacy” marijuana business. According to Holava-Hughes she is walking a straight-line right now.
“Well, I’m not in business because I want to go legal. I have some smarts behind me,” said Holava-Hughes.
She is applying for a social equity licenses which will allow her to grow and sell marijuana legally.
“It’s important that this application goes through, so I had to cease any and all operations to make sure that there was nothing that jeopardized out future you know as a company as a family. It hurts me not to have that access, but the bigger picture is more important,” said Holava-Hughes.
While helping people is Holava-Hughes main goal she’s also and advocate for women empowerment. She said she wants to use her business to show young women they can do anything they put their mind to.
“Give them the encouraging words and the strength to realize as young women we are powerful creatures. There isn’t anything we can’t do in this world,” said Holava-Hughes.
Hughes agrees wither her mom when it comes to seeing the bigger picture and helping people. She says it’s just something that runs in the family.
“This is what we do, we just learn, and we help educate and we give to people, there’s people that come to my mother and their cancer patients. They’re like hey I’m going through this this this and this and because of the knowledge all of us have as a crew we’re able to be like…this is what you need just try it,” said Hughes.
Holava-Hughes ex-husband Craig Holava is still in her life and says he is here to support her in anyway he can.
“My role is really in the background, I’m not really on the forefront. It’s a women’s business you know and I’m just here to help and support Tina in anyway possible to make this a successful thing,” said Holava.