Ronit Pinto, Founder, Honeysuckle Magazine
Ronit Pinto is a filmmaker, founder and publisher of Honeysuckle Magazine. Bringing counterculture subject matter to the mainstream, Honeysuckle strives to normalize taboo subjects and put everything out onthe table through diverse voices and visual impact. Issues include sustainability, spirituality, social issue, culture and art.
Ronit founded Honeysuckle in Detroit in 2013 and is now on her 7th printed issue titled ONE about sustainable ways of living, holistic thinking and regenerative agriculture. Honeysuckle is both print and online and its print editions are nationally distributed. Part of Ronit's mission is to make jobs in creative thinking and artistry a more viable option.
honey@honeysucklemag.com
http://www.honeysucklemag.com
Honeysuckle Media Kit : https://honeysucklemag.com/about/honeysuckle-media-kit-2/
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
[00:00:01] You're listening to thinking outside the bud where we speak with entrepreneurs investors thought leaders researchers advocates and policymakers who are finding new and exciting ways for cannabis to positively impact business society and culture. And now here is your host Business Coach Bruce Eckfeldt
[00:00:30] Welcome everyone. This is Thinking Outside the Bud, I’m Bruce I'm your host today here with Ronit Pinto and Ronnie is a filmmaker. She's also founder and publisher of honeysuckle magazine. Ronit welcome to the program.
[00:00:43] Thank you so much for having me. It's
[00:00:45] Great to have you. So I would like to start with guest just kind of a little bit about pressure on themselves and I'd love to hear a lot about about honeysuckle and kind of how things came to fruition for you and then we can talk a little bit about cannabis and how that fits into that into the scheme of things.
[00:00:58] Sure. Well I was working for a fashion design publication in Detroit and I got really into the styling. Going on the photo shoots I saw on the w magazines like Alex King or Alex White the styles toggery. I got really into print at that time for the visual impact. Before that I was interning as a journalist at The Post in Israel where I live from Eilat Tel Aviv and was freelancing in Detroit. I always kind of had a background as a writer that got more into the visual Gaian part. And then concurrently started working in film on a few years later. So bouncing back and forth between film and media kind of all really came together for me and honeysuckle and. I had been doing independent projects friends and that's a point just kind of like a vision like I said you know I'm just going to do that.
[00:01:55] Conan Yeah yeah.
[00:01:57] So yeah. So it's almost like honeysuckle like for you. What
[00:02:00] Is the intent what's the purpose like. Why honeysuckle and what are you hoping to achieve with a storm.
[00:02:07] Moore Well it was when I was in Detroit which was actually kind of sort of a dark time. It was like a diving and dark but necessary in time. The origin of were But I think there are more fringy dark you know exploring the like counterculture subjects that I found really interesting and I still did. So have that but we're mainstream so I like merging different subject matters into one publication which is kind of where candidates comes into it's like such an interesting cross-section between so many great minds.
[00:02:40] And what have you. I guess thinking about some of the topics and thinking about how cannabis fits in how I guess how does it fit for you. Like what do you see cannabis not only kind of as a industry point of view but from a cultural point of view. What are the important points. Well for us it's been really interesting because our issues are themed so each issue we've had whether it was like you know a sex issue or the home issue
[00:03:06] Perves issue we did cannabis and that's what really got us into the whole world cross-sectional like medicine to culture and all that. So that because of that we now have an integrated honeypot in each of our teams so we're not exclusively candidates not kitchen each section of the Honey Pie for us what that means is like we can explore all the different elements so like our next issue after the current one is called the black issue about African-American culture in our society so we can dive into the social justice implications of cannabis. There's the legislative aspects there's the cultural aspects there's so much music you know related to that fashion by going on just on Canada's cultural life from a recreational point of view as well medicinally for us to be found. So we're fascinated by that. We interviewed an Israeli scientist MJB last year. She studied with the band who discovered it. Dr. mortuum yeah he's an Israeli scientist the truth in the 70s. Now he discovered that the THC molecule 60.
[00:04:14] And he has been consumed actually. He's quoted as saying dark that feline feline noses in the background. He this day. He's not sure he made a worthy of what or what the plan can offer.
[00:04:32] Wow. Three things for us I think just like wonder and discovery and innovation and like new findings that that might happen this slanderer just super All right.
[00:04:47] So tell us about a little some of the some of the topics you've covered written about some of the people you've met because I think it's it's fascinating that some of the characters in the information in the stories that are out there what are some of the things you've covered in the magazine.
[00:04:59] Well we covered a lawsuit against Jeff Sessions. We have a lot of attorneys here in New York that were friendly with their friends with the interview that's you know that were actually him in court with him in the lawsuit against Jeff Sessions. So we go from that to. We just interviewed the president of acreage George Allen. You know they just had their a close look there their record round of funding and of that which was exciting. We also interviews we like people who do it a lifestyle brand and then infused beverages and start coming with celebrity on our cover who is purely recreational but that for a lot of stuff like Straat talked to veterans you know regarding PTSD people in the headspace you talking about that. We also talked to a thaw. She's originally from India. Yes he has a brand called elevated naturally.
[00:06:01] Interesting. Yes she's in Colorado for like a year means she doesn't consume it at all.
[00:06:08] She just has this really rich history and like we have her grandmother everyone using a Flatman essentially for like a century or ever ever it seems like for them it was just like a no no. You said she said that it was hidden from like your average Joe from the people.
[00:06:25] And I think I found the interesting to just separation between like recreation on healing and then zombies and more of our biggest sponsors and supporters and he has the lot. He's a long island. You know he's an organic farmer. He's been doing this for he's a poor culturists you know one of the only ones from his generation that has zones you know.
[00:06:50] So it's clutter. What are some of the themes that you've seen kind of come up in your various conversations like what's what are the kind of the topics being discussed from your point of view in the cannabis culture right now. What are what are the things that are part of those ICOS.
[00:07:03] Well you know certainly money is a big gap. We find a lot of entrepreneurs are tackling that Botsford are actually investors and people wanting literally to just cash you know. And so I mean I'm certainly not here to judge anyone but some will some people really love the plant for the plant so often that look at this is a great way.
[00:07:27] So like me sickout some people it's is very very financially Germander which is interesting a lot to say here in New York where it's so emerging.
[00:07:36] So that's a big one. You also have these people who are like Underwood words like Aegis they're so knowledgeable. Almost like science that way you know that we are now able to share their knowledge into like plate there's a kind of underground hiding.
[00:07:54] Right now they have like a voice and a budding no pun intended in the market.
[00:08:01] It's also I should add that the e-mail presents like that.
[00:08:06] Leonard So talk to me about that because I think you know a couple of people have mentioned it. What is the what does that force play there. I mean I think it's great. I think it's it's a fascinating sort of sector of the economy that has this kind of female focus and I came out of touch base which unfortunately is not you know has a lot of issues in terms of female participation both on the development side and on the entrepreneurial side and the leadership side.
[00:08:28] What is different about the Calamus race like why this kind of trend and why this topic.
[00:08:33] Well you know the CEO and founder of James fronter parent is Helen you just sort of like in general we found a lot of founders or female candidates states. I don't know exactly why they're choosing the female part of the plant that the teachers are so just like a feminine energy to the.
[00:08:55] And they're just finding that in this industry there's a lot of room for women. I mean some of it's proactive but I think some of it to be kind of organic supporting each other creating an environment for women to thrive.
[00:09:08] But I think it's also seems to be carried in this industry basis for the fact that even I think that's true and I think that is that there's some sort of structural history and we've had some strong leadership and some good examples and role models.
[00:09:23] But the energy level I think that there's the nature of the industry and in its history you know is kind of appreciated. And I think attention with some of the feminine qualities are feminine Smelser business and I think that is one of the fascinating aspects of the industry. Any other themes or anything else that you've seen in terms of the clout that you've been developing the people you've seen speaking to things that you've seen out there in terms of conversations you have.
[00:09:46] I know a lot of people are very very excited about what's going on in Jersey. Yes they are. You know we had a lot of pull from the West Coast just like you know I'm kind of like super excited about playing a lot here wanting to get a foothold here. So that's certainly something. But you know there's a lot of ancillary companies popping up like being friends you know consumer products. Yeah I mean there's just so much like I said I'm personally interested mostly a lot of the opioid replacements like how cannabis use prescription drugs a lot of help people with PTSD and anxiety and serious medical issues epilepsy like. That's fascinating to me and you know also how they're just recovering like we're all I can do in a different way. You can play with the molecules. Figure it out on the street. They haven't they haven't had a need for that right. Yes they have to light it seems like they come apart. So much more than you. So personally that's my main interest.
[00:10:44] Yeah and that's another amazing thing about this sector is that there's so many facets to it so you can do thing you can enjoy. Be fascinated by cannabis for many many reasons. You know you mentioned this whole kind of West Coast Sozzi and you see a big difference or you see kind of characteristics attributes you see the division. You see there's a strong do you sense a strong kind of difference between East Coast West Coast parts of this industry.
[00:11:10] And then what are those things that you see that are different between them if you see a really been the best first months. It seems to me and I think the problem.
[00:11:21] Let's look here and very a low tech industry. You know I don't know about. I don't like health warnings. It's synonymous with like in general or out time so it feels like buying a little bit different maybe you know you get your medical card there are a lot longer than. So and again I haven't really been like a very sensory kicking out there. They've got a different culture Arva here. There's a lot of hustle like business and industry and events meet ups and all the cannabis related. I don't know that they have friends there.
[00:11:58] I would agree. I think that there is. I think there's twofold one is the the kind of the legalization side of it has been there for a little while. So yes they're they're kind of ahead of the curve in terms of you know getting dispensaries the facilities the processing of all that is is kind of underway. I think the other thing too is as culturally you know California has had such a long history with cannabis culture that you know there's stuff there that impacts that side I think on the East Coast. You know we don't have that long legacy of of culture which changes the nature of how it's showing up here. Yes I would say there's a lot more can a business angle to it. Finance is certainly huge. You know there's another one that's that's becoming big here.
[00:12:38] But you know I think it's also you know as New Jersey gets close to going here and then you know most likely New York and some of the other mid-Atlantic folks here that it will be very interesting to see how that kind of influx or involvement of this East Coast culture into the industry can affect the industry overall. How is it going to sway things or push things in different ways. And I think actually that's one of the interesting topics in general about the cannabis industry is because you know kind of starting with this weed culture as we move into this much more kind of multifaceted. And I think in some respects much more mainstream adoption of cannabis at some level like that some big deal like that's that's going to be you know not only from a market size point of view but from a culture point of view. What I think is how do you see or what do you see as being the kind of the challenges or or the potential kind of shifts that happen as we move from this kind of weed culture to kind of a culture that's multifaceted with lots of different parts of the population and culture and society. What could you see. Do you see anything there now.
[00:13:43] I guess I'm one of the things that comes to mind like diversity in the. So I know there is a lot like important and powerful African-American groups that are. Really Pushing kids. They're saying they have a voice. They're saying you know kids they are the most adversely affected by the war on drugs where you know you have communities getting locked up for breaking apart families and all the stuff that there should be some sort of reparation beyond that. You know the fact that now can be mainstream and that's been such a huge part of their culture that they also got locked up for that now late night. We have to have a chance and the industry has they can't either afford glycine Diing or you know are other reasons. A lot of times you are against investors coming in to confront Google are more tech profiling. You said it's tend to be like male athlete you know. So there's not a lot of room for like in many industries for African-Americans and they're really they're being loud about it. And I really appreciate that. Let's see that I've been making wave like there's some big companies are making and doing really important stuff. I don't know if that's going to be a conflict. I know it's very hard to make sure that they have a seat at the table. And I hope that successful I don't know what the risk is there. I see some programs have so media like they're getting left out but then again I also see the impact that a lot of MJM strategy on minorities from now on. And a lot of organizations Canada's cultural association like dedicated to making certain that minority have in the state No I get that like a pop lol. I'm not sure I'm going to play out.
[00:15:33] And I think it's an important dynamic. I mean I know there's another there's kind of a legal facet to that as well.
[00:15:38] There's a fairly strong push for expungement of criminal records just because it causes enforcement was so racially biased that you know it puts people in a situation where they they don't have access to be able to start venturers access to funding financing et cetera. Because they have these criminal records which you know unfortunately were were enforced disproportionately from a racial point of view. So going back and trying to expunge those records so that we can have a more equal playing field. You know it is certainly one step to kind of correcting the situation but I think it is the growth in the industry and the opportunity is bringing those issues to light and it's as fascinating to see from. But the business but also cultural point of view. People work that out. But really what is the solution and how do we create a level playing field and how do we create opportunity for everyone.
[00:16:24] Let's talk a little bit about media and content because I think that's you know obviously being a publisher and looking at the content side of things I've been fascinating to see how content how media is playing a role in this kind of development.
[00:16:39] Where do you see some of the power of media and content in helping shape helping develop cannabis culture in general culture as well. You know what. What are the forces at play and what are some of the goals that you see for honeysuckle and interesting for me.
[00:16:55] I feel like you have the right high time for dope which hip things like traditionally cannabis right. You know it's kind of curious like this main street and I think he take away from what they're doing or like they're really like they're strongpoint really it's counterculture all on it right. They were so excited to say I'm tired. I mean it's iconic Yeah.
[00:17:17] And you know when you kind of take that away thing and you know and then it's interesting to look for an entrepreneur might mean you know really something on the industry that back then. I mean that seems like it's going to make it mainstream that is you're paying it to a Caucasian demographic. And I guess like your best answer for us. I think we really are prone to slightly apart from many subjects that we cover in general. Like it's truly normalized. In our minds because we look at it openly and increasingly like what is correct. I love going to parties. No I'm not. They are you they are. I do like going to parties just like that canvas bond that you can see it's very funny stuff like you know just something about being sort of relax chill I'm going to survive and of I have to do spirit line like hating me. Yeah they are fighting about that people and I can see you that people are honeysuckle just sort of in a sense has a very spiritual propriety that we Mellie's he read have like conversations with one another and yet the people at my work Dantley related to you are peace of mind or physical health and all that. I mean that's synonymous with really don't use. Know it wasn't my editors to keep a lot of people to for some sort of like you know channel spirituality that gives them something in common with us. I think the rapid widening intimacy even though the media can't admit
[00:18:59] To Yeah. And I think the whole tone of wellness mindfulness sector of of us is certainly a huge it's a huge one and it's growing.
[00:19:10] But yeah that minute because I think it taps into that general trend you know. You know I do this all the time on companies looking to create a sustainable culture is like how do you create a culture that really helps the entire individual thrive. You don't only intellectually but physically spiritually emotionally and creating some kind of mindfulness approach or mindfulness sensitivity you know whether it's you know meditation or whether you have a spiritual connection or practice that you're following. But it's interesting see and it is kind of now slip into this area as being a tool that people are using to create kind of this mindfulness presence in their lives. But I think that also poses a challenge like how do we integrate some of these things into the broader culture because I think that yes we've got this segment of people that are focused on wellness and mindfulness that have a particular take on it. But as this sort of shifts to you know the Middle America kind of segment how do you see it. I guess you see this as being everyone kind of learning how to adopt the same kind of approaches to mindfulness or is this mindfulness will start to take these different segments or take these different facets and apply in different ways like where do you see this going as a kind of cultural phenomenon.
[00:20:28] Great question. I mean I think for me the hope is not your average person just sort of like getting hugs there might get a little bit of rain. Yeah artists like a free spirited type person person without very press just in our world in callsigns ninety for point nine where do you have any talent here now for something that Schnapper seen which is very annoying whether candidates Cury him harder than they are handling I know he's handling things when it take right. I would like to live in a free world and by free I don't even the great free. You know I know a lot of problem with this administration which of course I'm ETM but beyond that I think it's more of a of pride that more people are truly living in a lot of ways sort of like frame by their jobs or where they think we should look like your side. And I guess maybe peripherally cannabis does play a role I maybe it will get a role in making money. You do have people acting like prescription drugs for a lot of issues. I know it can. Maybe that would be wonderful. What is the sex.
[00:21:37] Well you know I can see that and I think that's as we as we kind of you know step out of the traditional you know kind of culture you know and walking on the street smoking into an immediate need or maybe you know the soccer mom who's you know going off to yoga throws on the patch or you know does it to insure or something like that.
[00:21:57] You know as part of their wellness regime I mean like I can envision that you know this because of the new kind of products and the way that part of us is kind of shifting from a perception or an application point of view. You know I go to Starbucks you know do I have my you know do I start a Starbucks and then stop it my cannabis dispensary.
[00:22:15] And you know that's kind of my normal routine. It's not you know caffeine is a regular used pharmaceuticals for identity purposes is cannabis. And I can't get to that level or not. I it is an interesting question or at the it is a question that the answer to you is going to dramatically shape where this business goes or where the industry goes how people can yeah just how it how it integrates into the culture.
[00:22:37] I mean you know Howard Schultz when he put together the you know the idea of coffee I mean whenever twenty years ago when he was looking at the use of coffee it was really bad policy at diners and things like that. And the whole idea of an espresso bar was pretty foreign to the American market. He kind of conceived of it you know is there going to be a higher chance of us that comes in and says hey I've got this new idea for the corner dispensary that is no place to hang out and we've got all these different kinds of applications or or different kinds of products in different ways that you know appeal to lots of different markets and it's possible.
[00:23:11] And if it goes that way or the set that it goes that way is going to have a huge impact on the industry.
[00:23:15] I don't know if that's from your point of view if that's a good or a bad kind of outcome for cannabis but I think it is certainly people are talking about it like what where does this actually go.
[00:23:26] Yeah I guess they could see this either taking them. Yeah. You know right now. Well our part of me don't call it through the. Galactic. Months. It's part of Brand. Yeah. Yeah I don't know if you did Croisette. How long do you think it tastes stuff like like at a café or Willhite.
[00:23:52] I think it's one of those things over overnight successes take a long time. So you know we always tend to look at the final kind of hockey stick curve on these things and say oh my gosh this this thing was an overnight success. You know meanwhile if you look at it these people are probably working on it for five 10 15 years. So to the extent that yes we may see big you know kind of moves are are things that all of a sudden appear to come out of nowhere and appear to like all this is a craze. The fact is I think these things are already in play and it's kind of figuring out you know where where are these.
[00:24:23] You know on the path of kind of developing you know are they five years out or are they 10 years out. I'm not sure which one it's going to be but I know there'll be one. So it's kind of figuring out where we're to be placing these bets.
[00:24:34] But I think it's going to it's going to have an impact and I think like you said it you know it might be the CDs it might be some other form of it might be a particular application or might be integrated into other products it may not be the product itself but it won't be you know something that can integrate into other things other other consumables or other lifestyle applications. But I think that's certainly going to happen. Questions kind of when.
[00:24:55] I mean overall I see it as the liberating tool I mean like going on a personal note when I can see you we're seeing it taking you like I don't really reverse the fact that it's hilarious know they don't like my tablet which is. But what I've seen in general is a very liberating tool.
[00:25:18] I mean whether it's medicinally or spiritually or you know from the economy of the social justice as you seem like it's opening up so many different conversations. I'm certainly supportive.
[00:25:30] Yeah. Interesting. And if you were if you were an entrepreneur or someone who is sort of interested in getting into the account of his business where any any suggestions or things that you think they should look at or areas that focus.
[00:25:43] Wow. You know I feel like some of the accessories are really all right. See the mate said Mike pentagram strange you can fit like the oil babes in Dublin. Kind of like the different time of consumption and the different the way that they combine in this poll I would probably want to do something like that. Like how do you affect your higher back the way it directly impacts you.
[00:26:06] You know your heart is like inedible of that you like really scientific the way they're doing in a sort of customized customized product or being able to customize your experiences I think it's a good one good.
[00:26:18] Really this has been a pleasure. Thank you so much for your time here. So people to find out more about you or honeysuckle magazine. What's the best way to get more information.
[00:26:27] We are honeysuckle Match.com. You're actually coming out of their 70s you called one which is all about Xen abilities spirituality evilest think a lot about cannabis not money. Well at the time of that we went to northern Colorado. Fascinating. He interviewed a lot of people their founder now telling all that now look out for that. Michelle that's from her first. We'll have some great eventful night everyone. You can e-mail us honey honeysuckle kayak.com.
[00:26:58] So make sure that those the link in the e-mail is in that shed no tears would be quick do that again. Thank you so much for being on the program. It's it's been a pleasure. Thank you.
[00:27:08] You've been listening to Thinking Outside the Bud with Business Coach Bruce Eckfeldt to find a full list of podcast episodes. Download the tools and worksheets and access other great content. Visit the Web site at thinkingoutsidethebud.com. And don't forget to sign up for the free newsletter at thinkingoutsidethebud.com/newsletter.