When restaurants, chefs and other residents of the culinary world use the words “elevated experience,” I generally roll my eyes. And not because I don’t respect what they’re trying to achieve in the kitchen, but because the term is vague. What I take it to mean is they’re trying to concoct dishes that taste better… Read more »
Read Our April 2021 Issue
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A deep dive into the world of cannabis has long been on our editorial team’s wish list, and we’re thrilled to announce our first-ever issue highlighting all things green this April.
With changing legislation in the District, Maryland and most recently, Virginia (the state enacted a marijuana legalization law on April 7, just in time for this issue, that goes into effect on July 1), the timing couldn’t be more perfect. In addition to being proud of my home state for being the first in the South to legalize cannabis, our team was very excited to highlight the thriving cannabis industry in the D.C. area. Amanda Weisbrod interviewed local industry experts, advocates and activists making the case for the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis, and put together a helpful illustration outlining what’s legal and what’s not in both states and the nation’s capital. Trent Johnson penned our cover story, highlighting D.C. area chefs experimenting with cannabis-infused fine dining, pastries, cocktails and more.
A special thank you to the incomparable Scott Suchman for shooting our cover, featuring a marijuana-infused dish prepared by Sucrée Sweets Co.’s Shannon Rizvi and Charlynn Pham. Johnson also spoke with Chris Licata and Anaïs Hayes of District Derp about their unique business model: Their dog Sudo makes works of art available for purchase with included gifts of cannabis flowers, THC cartridges and edibles. Thank you to Licata and Hayes as well for providing so many beautiful images to accompany this issue.
We rounded up 19 local cannabis and/or CBD businesses and chatted with the entrepreneurs behind them about their offerings, preferences and what they predict for the D.C. area’s cannabis landscape in the future. Assistant editor M.K. Koszycki highlighted wellness and self-care aspects behind CBD, and Ingrid Harbo chatted with local business owners about how cannabis and artistry are often interwoven. And our friend E$ made us a dope “High and Go Seek” illustration.
We interviewed Washington Spirit captain Andi Sullivan about the upcoming season, electro-pop trio SHAED about their new album, Denizens Brewing Co.’s Julie Verratti about being tapped for the Biden administration and Black Girl Ventures’ Shelly Bell about supporting BIPOC women in business.
Plus, read about upcycling in D.C., food rescue programs, niche wine shops, a beginner’s guide to soccer and more. Thanks as always to our readers for your support. Please let us know what you think!
Monica Alford
Editor-in-Chief
FEATURED
19 Entrepreneurs Shaping D.C.’s Cannabis + CBD Industries
Initiative 71 has allowed for a rich cannabis culture to bloom in D.C. Between CBD businesses, gifting shops and infused food services, cannabis products are increasingly available to those looking to relax, enjoy a high or anything in-between. We talked with 19 local cannabis and CBD entrepreneurs about their businesses, favorites and the future of… Read more »
The Green Issue: Experts + Advocates Make Case for Cannabis Legalization + Decriminalization
Two pieces of legislation regarding cannabis are currently circulating through the District’s system of government, both of which would include provisions to legalize recreational sales and establish social equity programs. The current legislation, Initiative 71, which was passed in 2015, legalized recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and older with some key provisions. Marijuana consumers… Read more »
PLAY
O Captain, My Captain: Washington Spirit’s Andi Sullivan
District Fray caught up with the Washington Spirit’s captain and midfielder Andi Sullivan after training camp to talk about the upcoming season and get tips for improving your soccer game. District Fray: How was training camp in Florida with the team? Andi Sullivan: Training camp was great. We were fortunate to be able to travel and… Read more »
A Beginner’s Guide to Soccer
I won’t do the cliché, “Ever since I was born, I had a soccer ball at my feet,” because frankly, who really remembers that? I don’t. But, I can say that ever since I remember playing outside, I was playing soccer. Growing up, weeks were devoted to balancing competing soccer team commitments. On the weekends,… Read more »
High and Go Seek Illustration
In honor of District Fray’s April issue celebrating D.C.’s cannabis community, we are proud to present our first-ever High and Go Seek illustration. E$ hid 42 jazz cabbage cigarettes throughout this entire illustration. See if you can find them all. Follow E$ on Instagram @theedollarsign. Don’t miss our virtual Cannabis City panel presented by District Fray… Read more »
LIFE
Local Entrepreneurs Infuse CBD into Wellness
CBD (an abbreviation for cannabidiol) has gained popularity for its multitude of uses and benefits like aiding in chronic pain, easing anxiety, improving skin problems and more. It’s a naturally occurring, non-psychoactive substance found in cannabis or hemp plants, but is perhaps most commonly found as an oil. Because it shows up in other products… Read more »
The District Derp Story
If you had a time machine and traveled back to when Chris Licata made a harmless bet with a friend, he wouldn’t believe you if you explained how his life was about to change. In fact, it’s kind of hard to believe knowing it’s already happened. The innocuous wager was if he could successfully get… Read more »
Julie Verratti of Denizens Brewing Co. Is Ready to Get the ’20s Roaring
“I have a hard time saying ‘No’ to interesting things,” Julie Verratti says. The gregarious co-founder of the popular Denizens Brewing Co. — with Maryland locations in Riverdale Park and Silver Spring — is joining the Biden Administration to help jumpstart the economy and promote small business recovery as the Covid-19 pandemic winds down. As… Read more »
LIFE
Black Girl Ventures’ Shelly Bell Resists Being Average
Shelly Bell started what was to become Black Girl Ventures, a foundation that provides BIPOC business founders with the monetary resources and skills for success, in a living room with around 30 other women. The foundation started on the idea of “Shark Tank”-meets-Kickstarter-style competitions where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas. Through partnerships and grants, it… Read more »
Upcycling in D.C.: Transforming a Culture of Consumption
Many of us face the same issue when we open our closets and see the same clothes: We’re bored. We live in a culture of consumption, replacing the not-that-old with the brand new. As D.C. focuses more on sustainability, its next issue to tackle is textile waste. We throw away 70 pounds of clothing each… Read more »
EAT
Food Rescue + Assistance Programs Fill the Gaps in a Pandemic Food System
The beginning of the pandemic was a dark time for many. Cities started shutting down, and restaurants and businesses were forced to close their doors. In the early months of the pandemic, Food Rescue US – DC experienced a light through the darkness. In a time when people were advised to stay inside, the organization… Read more »
Hungry Harvest Helps to End Food Insecurity
Evan Lutz has been interested in social entrepreneurship his entire life. “I’m fascinated by the idea of using business to power social change,” he says. So it’s no surprise that Lutz is CEO of Hungry Harvest, a farm-to-doorstep produce delivery service that’s on a mission to end food waste and hunger. Lutz founded the company… Read more »
DRINK
Wines of the World Are Just Around the Corner
Between getting that (second) vaccination shot and gathering with friends again, take a tour of some of D.C.’s best specialty wine shops. From organic vineyards worldwide to Italy and Argentina, you don’t even need to dust off your forgotten passport to take this journey. The wine experts at the District’s best niche wine stores share… Read more »
CULTURE
The Artistry Behind D.C.’s Cannabis Culture
Art and cannabis have long been associated with one another. In D.C., where cannabis is decriminalized and legal to gift, but not yet legal to buy and sell, artistry supports the city’s growing cannabis culture. Many shops sell apparel, accessories and art while gifting cannabis products. The gray area allowed by Initiative 71 has made… Read more »
A Touch of Danger in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “Romeo & Juliet”
It goes without saying that “Romeo & Juliet” is a classic play. If you didn’t read it in school, no doubt you’ve at least learned the story from one of its countless pop culture references (“Love Story” by Taylor Swift, anyone?) Beyond that, there is not a lot that seems relatable about two teenagers’ tragic… Read more »
MUSIC
SHAED Releases First Full-Length Album in a “High Dive” of Faith
Everything leading up to D.C.-based electropop trio SHAED releasing their first full-length album was a whirlwind. The remix of their song “Trampoline” with ZAYN (of One Direction and solo fame) catapulted their stardom even higher after droves of fans were introduced to the band through the track, its syncs in popular TV shows and commercials,… Read more »
