I was honored to attend the first annual Jaine AID Award Brunch on March 14th, 2024, and to be part of Se7en, the firm that received the Diversity & Inclusivity Award. This year, the event took place in Independence, MO at the higher event space. It was a small intimate gathering full of good food and cannabis in all the best forms bud, drinks, and CannaHumans. 

An Afternoon of Inclusivity at the Jaine Awards

Good vibes were swirling through the air and women of all shapes, sizes, & backgrounds were there for one purpose: to uplift and learn from each other and advocate for the plant we all love so much. When you first walk in you’re greeted by the registration table and immediately to the right is a breakfast bar complete with mimosas & coffee. 

The main area was full of lively music and vendors showing their support for WeAreJAINE, as well as showing off the goodies- who doesn't love samples? I snagged a delicious Blood Orange drink and found a beautiful homeostasis. They were infused with Sprinkle THC, if you’re lucky enough to snag some from your local dispensary you won't regret it. They are fast-acting and the perfect dose for an event like this. 

Those few hours flew by chatting away, exploring the venue. There were quiet corners to tuck away into and consumption areas in the front and back of the building. It kept you from feeling like sardines in a can, and there was a free flow to the whole space. Kudos to the Higher Event Center for giving us a place to embrace our true stoner selves & We Are JAINE for continuing to be a force for change in this industry. 

This was a brunch to recognize the first-ever Jaine AID Award recipient. The nominees go through a vetting process part of which they get feedback from the internal team. It made me so happy to know there was a process to ensure that those who are acknowledged are actually making a tangible difference. Being part of the crew made it that much more special. 

Se7en Staffing was the awardee this year,Christy Essex was invited there alongside her husband Preston Essex, and me, administrative assistant & Fat Nugs Writer Casey Renteria. Christy said it best “...we work with not only women but minorities in the industry, and we hear all the time that they could never get a foot in the door until they worked with us.” It almost brings me to tears when I see those candidates excelling and thriving in an industry that seemed so far away before.

Who is We Are JAINE?

At its core, We Are Jaine is a community of women who aim to diversify, educate, & advocate for the plant we love so much. Not all of the members are plant-touching but all of them seek to create space in this industry for women to flourish. They have a wonderful team of women including Sarah Glasser, Tammy Puyear, Jamie Dennis, Diane Bollinger, and Kassie Ferrero, as well as several board members.

A big focus of theirs is ensuring there is a place for women to come together and learn from each other. Whether it's through virtual or in-person events, I love that the community is meant to be a wealth of knowledge to pull from. It feels like a modern version of the ancient ways how women used to come together in their communities to solve problems and create a flourishing village around them.

Their members come from all walks of life and that's clear when you attend one of their events. It’s like being in the middle of a rainbow with a thousand shades and a touch of glitter. Everyone is so friendly and ready to listen and absorb the good vibes. I admire their team and how much love and energy they pour into this beautiful community they’ve cultivated. If you haven’t gotten a chance to check them out you’re missing out on a great chance to join a vibrant, unique village of women making a difference. 

Who Is Se7en Staffing 

On the surface, Se7en provides the bridge from cannabis facilities to the candidates. What does that look like in practice? Myself and the team spend hours staying up to do on badging requirements and regulations across the US. This means that when a candidate comes to us unsure of how to make their entrance into the space we can guide them through the process in the most effective way possible. 

When you dig a little deeper often I find myself being a resource for candidates who don’t have a trusted source of information in the industry. When you’re on the outside looking in it can be easy to have rose-colored glasses on and sometimes just talking with someone on the inside can give a little more perspective on the reality of making a living in this industry. When it comes to the facilities we staff for we save them hours of work and the headache of wondering which one of the 300+ applicants is the right one. 

Our specialty is temp, trial-to-hire, and professional direct-hire placements. I’ve been on the team for over 10 months now and it’s heartwarming when you find the candidate who just has a fire in them for cannabis. Nothing makes my heart happier than helping those candidates find a way in. Not only that but I also get to connect with fellow stoners and the canna-curious across the US. 

“Our team of recruiters concentrates on finding talent that will surpass the skill set and culture fit you are seeking from entry to highly experienced personnel. We value diversity and strong work ethic, and we recognize talent and drive when we see them. We work with your company to create a partnership so we can serve you better. We utilize a Se7en step process to fill your hiring needs.”

Regardless of which side you’re on whether you’re looking for your next new team member or wanting to leap into the deep end of the industry, Se7en is a great place to start.