Due to years of prohibition and social stigmas, cannabis was often thought of something to be avoided, almost low class.
So to have someone throw a dinner party with food tastings and wine pairings all either infused with or cooked with cannabis, even now, can be shocking.
That’s the sort of stigma Meaghan Gould, aka Meaghie Jane, is looking to dispel. A budding entrepreneur, Gould caters cannabis-centric events here in Tucson and Pima County with a flair for the upscale.
While high-end cannabis catering services are abundant in more established markets, Meaghie Jane (which also happens to be the name of Gould’s brand) is one of the first of its kind here in Southern Arizona.
I spoke with Gould recently about how she got involved in the cannabis industry, what her events are like and what her goal is with her Meaghie Jane persona and company. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Here Weed Go!: Where did you get the idea for “Meaghie Jane,” the catering company, and how did you get involved in the cannabis industry?
Meaghan Gould: Before COVID-19, I was really interested in doing events and being an event planner. And so I worked with a few wedding planners here in town. And then once COVID-19 hit, I couldn't do events for a while.
But one of my really good friends, a manager at NatureMed, a dispensary here in town, was just talking to me and I was like, “I don't know what I'm going to do, I don’t want to work weddings anymore. But I did enjoy event planning.”
And he was like, “Why don't you get involved in cannabis events?”
And I was like, “That's not a bad idea.”
And then I went to one of my old event planner bosses awe had a wine night and I told her that that was something I wanted to pursue.
So I’ve had this concept since back in the summer. And you know, I do have a background in events, but I also wanted to bring together cannabis enthusiasts, the people that have been around it and are really familiar with it already, as well as people who aren’t, to help broaden their horizons.
Because it is kind of a lot, especially now that it’s legal. So I want to bring those people together and integrate cannabis more into a social norm, for everyone. And, I think, as it gets more and more legal, I want to be a part of that.
HWG!: How does the preparation for an event work?
Gould: I basically make my own infusion. I pick the cannabis that I'm going to buy and, knowing the percentage, knowing what specific terpenes are in the cannabis order to hit those different notes.
So for my last event, we had fish for our main course. So we wanted a citrusy, earthy type of cannabis to go with it, as opposed to something skunky or fruity because we’d be infusing it with oil.
The food is still going to leave the notes that cannabis would, so just being knowledgeable of that is helpful. That's kind of on my part and I do that part of it.
Then I hire a private chef and he or she comes in and uses the oil to infuse sauces or whatever they want to do. I basically tell them how much a dose.
At the last event, there was like a cheeseboard and roasted vegetable board as the first appetizer so that people could arrive and just kind of make a little plate and hang out and smoke a little and have a glass of wine and kind of just hang out and mingle.
HWG!: Where does the name “Meaghie Jane” come from?
Gould: So in high school, we would get drug tested and they would use our hair follicles. And the boys didn't really care because they would just shave their head if they did anything. But I didn't really care, I’m not sure why.
I wasn't scared for whatever reason, I just was not scared of getting caught. So I was always smoking with all the boys and they just started calling me “Meaghie Jane.” I got a little bit hazed, I guess, but that’s kind of what it’s like being the girl smoking.
HWG!: You advertise yourself as "bringing class to cannabis." Why, in your opinion, does cannabis need a "glow up?"
Gould: The cannabis industry, from basically the start of the 20th century, has had such a prohibitive view, or a negative view. Then there was the whole gateway drug thing, the whole history of it. And then it was turned into a war on drugs. Cannabis had a rough place in the world.
But it has this ancient history where it was used in ancient medicine, it's been used as medicine forever.
And now it's becoming legal, and has that stigma to get away from. I would say that I just want to help elevate that. It's not a drug, or even a gateway drug. It's a legitimate industry.
HWG!: How did your upbringing shape your views on cannabis?
In my own upbringing towards cannabis, it was looked at like such a bad thing. But now that I'm owning it and just being like "This is who I am and this is what I like to do," I realize people shouldn't be looked down upon because cannabis can be good for you.
And I don't want people to think of everyone as stoners, being unmotivated or lazy. And I feel like with my brand and alter ego of "Meaghie Jane," she smokes the most but works the hardest.
This is an awesome industry full of awesome, hardworking people and it's not something that should be discriminated against.
If you'd like to enlist Gould's, or excuse me, Meaghie Jane's services, you can contact here by email at meaghiejane@gmail.com, or on at her Instagram, @meaghiejane.
