Culinary & Cannabis Founder Tamara Anderson on Sensory and Perception

Tamara Anderson is founder of Culinary & Cannabis, which produces in-person and virtual events that focus on cooking with cannabis and creating infused cuisine. Tamara oversees online content, marketing and brand partnerships. A pastry chef, registered nurse and MMJ patient who understands the intersection of medical marijuana and traditional healthcare, Tamara helps educate folks on plant use through community and education.

Culinary & Cannabis strives to refute outmoded stigmas by exploring culinary possibilities. From online modules and social media engagement to classes and wellness forums, Tamara specializes in making people comfortable with cannabis across its myriad therapeutic applications.

We spoke with Tamara for our Higher Calling series, where we chat with leaders in the cannabis space.

Tamara, tell us...

Your current role in the cannabis industry, and where you're based.

My role in the cannabis industry is to create access for brands to market directly to their target audiences and to give consumers a safe place to learn and experience all the variety of ways the plant can be used.

Your earliest cannabis memory.

My earliest memory is living in Inglewood on Queen Street, having a house full of guests watching a Mike Tyson fight while my mom smoked a joint in an old fashioned roach clip with her feather hairstyle and small can of pins. Mind you, you could hear the whole neighborhood cheering on the fight.

A story about the positive impact cannabis has had on your life.

Most people don't know this but my mom is a recovering narcotic user for over 30 years, but she's also gotten older and has aches and pains. She's called me crying some days because she's in so much pain. Thankfully, she trusts me to recommend topical THC products and CBD consumables to help her deal with her pain management.

A favorite flower, edible, product, or brand.

One of my favorite brands is Chef Matt's THC BBQ sauce. I love adding it to a burger.

The biggest challenge cannabis marketers face today.

There is no clear written rule to what you can and can't do in cannabis marketing. There is a lot of trial and error, though, especially with social media.

One thing you're excited about right now in cannabis branding, partnerships or marketing.

I'm super hyped about the new services we are offering at Culinary & Cannabis. CannaSpa Party is like a wellness pamper party but with cannabis. This new offering allows us to work with unique partners who don't always get to showcase how their products work in real time. 

A cannabis trade/social justice organization that you support.

We support I Am, an organization that provides a variety of resources to local communities for the homeless, less fortunate, and children all while empowering entrepreneurs. In addition, they aim to bring awareness of cannabis to local communities through education.

A project you worked on recently that you're proud of.

I recently worked on the Cannabis Unite event hosted by the Department of Cannabis Regulation. It was an event to help bring awareness to the variety of programs available for both legacy brands and up-and-coming entrepreneurs who want to get into the legal cannabis space. We had a great turn out and provided education to a ton of brands.

Someone else's project you admired recently.

The one year anniversary of Josephine & Billie's because I've witnessed the development of the company from idea to execution.

Someone you admire in cannabis who's doing great things.

HAPPYMUNKEY. They create awesome immersive experiences and stay true to themselves and to the culture all while making an impact on the community.

What music, movie, TV show, or food do you find most enjoy pairing with cannabis?

I love soulful R&B with a good blunt, preferably in an intimate space.

What you'd be doing if you weren't in the cannabis industry?

I would be a baker. And technically, I still am (pun intended!).