As part of our cover story on marijuana in Midtown Toronto, we spoke with the owners of Queens of Cannabis, a "holistic healing centre and dispensary" in the Bloorcourt neighbourhood of Toronto.
Post City: Why did you decide to open a dispensary?
Cyalume & Zurborg: We decided to open in July 2015. We visited Vancouver with the intention of meeting female glass-blowers to stock an all-female owned, operated and supplied head shop. But our plans changed when we saw how many life-altering dispensaries were operating within the city.
Post City: Do you have medical marijuana prescriptions yourselves?
Cyalume & Zurborg: Yes. Tania fell on ice, which resulted in degenerative lumbar disease. When a progressive pain started setting in aggressively, she tried chiropractic therapy, physiotherapy, massage, laser therapy, yoga, reiki and stretching, but the pain never completely subsided. Brandy was in multiple car accidents and fell down a flight of stairs. She was put on every pain medication, muscle relaxant and nerve-numbing pill available and was diagnosed with acid reflux disease, a result of taking too many pharmaceuticals. In both cases, ingesting, smoking, vaping and using topical marijuana proved to be very effective in diminishing the effects of chronic pain. Both of us experienced first-hand the stark contrast in effects and side effects between long-term use of pharmaceuticals and cannabis. Cannabis won hands down.
Post City: Your dispensary focuses more on women. What unique steps did you take to make your shop female-friendly?
Cyalume & Zurborg: Our brand has a softer tone, and we focus on customer service. We also have an all-female staff so that women feel comfortable talking to us about their symptoms. We find most men like this as well.
Post City: Have you encountered many women in similar roles owning dispensaries or in the industry generally?
Cyalume & Zurborg: We have encountered many women in the industry through the Women Grow network.
Post City: Have you encountered sexism to the degree one might assume in other industries?
Cyalume & Zurborg: We haven’t encountered sexism as of yet, and it might be because we just started or we have been lucky.
Post City: Since dispensaries are still not legal, do you feel like your safety is at risk given the illegality of the industry?
Cyalume & Zurborg: We know our risk level and play within it.
Post City: Do you meet with your suppliers in person? Do you feel safe?
Cyalume & Zurborg: All of our suppliers are patients who we have personally met with and visited their facilities. It feels like any other business, and we do always feel safe.
