When Kenmore cannabis company Bison Botanics joined forces recently with Tonawanda hemp dispensary Sativa Remedy to host a farmer’s-market-style event featuring a range of new products and two local bands, it was more than just another harmonious pairing of music and weed.
It was the perfect vehicle to educate the public about new trends in the growing yet still-misunderstood cannabis industry.
“The idea came up pretty naturally,” said Sativa Remedy Co-Founder John B. Frazier
about partnering with Bison Botanics for ‘Sundaze & Sesh,’ which showcased vendors, new products and performances by TJ Cutajar (of Daze Ago) and the Buffalo punk band The Sneers.
“Bison Botanics and Sativa Remedy share a love for good vibes and great products, so teaming up just made sense. Bison Botanics has always been active in the Western New York music scene, so we wanted to create a space where people could chill, enjoy live
music, smoke their own cannabis legally, and experience THC-infused beverages” which were offered for trial and purchase.
Frazier said the hope is to hold similar events in the future, adding that by capitalizing on the long and inherent relationship between cannabis and music, businesses such as Sativa Remedy and Bison Botanics can reach consumers in an environment that is inviting.
“Both music and cannabis are great tools to help raise our vibrations, so naturally they just go hand in hand. The Buffalo music scene is packed with talent, and we love supporting local artists. But because the broader music scene has always been dominated by alcohol sales, we wanted to use this as an opportunity to show our community music under a different lens,” Frazier said. “Events like Sundaze & Sesh let us connect with people in a fun, laid-back setting that’s focused around cannabis. It’s all about creating good times and good memories with good music and good smoke.”
Such events also enable cannabis-related businesses to increase awareness about the uses and benefits of their ever-increasing range of products.
“There's definitely some misconceptions out there, but events like this are a great way to show what we're really about,” said Frazier. “It’s less about lecturing and more about letting people experience it for themselves by giving them a chance to discover a new way to enjoy cannabis. They get to try our hemp beverages, bring their own cannabis, and just see how everything fits together with the music.
“The best part: we get a chance to show people what a good time can look like without alcohol,” said Frazier. “Whenever we introduce our THC beverages to folks, we can tell they have a genuine ‘ah-ha’ moment learning about our drinks being a great alternative to alcohol. It’s a great feeling.”
Alfonso Soto, an employee of Bison Botanics, said the event surpassed his expectations.
“The turnout was great. I didn’t expect so many people,” said Soto, who spent the day demonstrating salves full of CBD for pain, which he said has helped with his own aches acquired as a construction worker.
Events such as Sundaze & Sesh also offer bands seeking shows an opportunity to play live at a time when local performance space due to recent venue closures is — at least for the time being —somewhat scarce.
“People were vibing, the atmosphere was super relaxed, and The Sneers and TJ Cutajar killed it,” Frazier said. “The first Sundaze & Sesh was an important proof-of-concept for both businesses, so we are really stoked that the event was a success, and we can’t wait to announce the next one. We’re definitely planning more events like this, so stay tuned.”
(EDITOR'S NOTE — In the interest of transparency, 1120 Press founder and publisher Matt Smith is a member of The Sneers.)
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