Welcome to Your Highness Podcast, a show where we get comfortable with the uncomfortable uncover areas of cannabis where accessibility and inclusiveness are lacking and elevate conversations about ways to affect real change in this space with a specific focus on folks who identify as women.
You're listening to Your Highness Podcast, and I'm your host, Diana crash. Today I am joined by the amazing Dr. Destin Magoo, who is a creative consultant, writer, activist, mother, amazing overall person. I know I'm not going to do justice in this intro. But I am so honored to have you with us today. Thank you so much for joining us. Dr. desta? Can I call you doctor desk? Or should you prefer doctor?
I sure actually malladus
mama deskah?
I'll try.
Yeah,
any seriously any time? Um, so let's start off by talking about your background a bit, because I know it's extensive. What drew you to cannabis? And what's your professional background? If you want to tell us a bit about that? I know it's it's long. So you don't have to tell us everything but some of
the lowly? Well, you know, the first question about the background? And maybe that's second. But
yeah, sorry, it was a two parter.
I didn't, yeah. But you know, my background, I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and moved in, in 1961, August 15, I'm going to be 60 this year, yay. And so moved to New York with my family, and the 1970s. And essentially, was really put into a bit of a culture shock with racism, and certain things that I just had not experienced in Jamaica growing up. And so was sort of propelled if you will, to go into advocacy as a way of self preservation, and also the beginnings of activism for me. And at the time, Harlem was really vibrant. And I was going to Harlem, on the weekend for modeling lessons of all things started, you know, Nation of Islam is there, the final call, it's just really vibrant. And so, a lot of being born in Jamaica, that was also my entry into resta phi. And I do believe that also impacted my relationship and understanding of cannabis, and how it could be utilized just for the betterment of mankind. And that's where my journey has began. And 40 plus years later, I'm still very much there and trying to find ways through my advocacy, to, you know, really utilize and promote cannabis, within its proper context. And sort of shatter some of the myths and propaganda that's been created about this precious plan. So I hope I answered properly. Absolutely, of
course you did. So, I know that you're doing some work with Afro Helio's. Can you talk about that? A little bit?
Absolutely. You know, Africa. healios is sort of the convergence of my hopes, aspirations, check checklists of things that I would have loved to gotten to, if given the chance and opportunity not dealing with so much because we do have a variable, good, you know, big plate. But for my, for me, my passion, especially living in Africa, Ethiopia, specifically for the last 16 years almost. It's all about development. It's about advising the continent. It's about Addressing so many social economic needs. And cannabis is certainly one of the important ways of doing this, you know, this plan has so many attributes can be used in so many ways, and particularly for the empowerment of the continent, especially women and youth. And so when I got introduced after he, your brother Darren and heard about your aspirations, I said, Yeah, you know, I could really get behind this. So I certainly got some short term goals and long term goals that I'm hoping I'll be able to share with academia. In my time with them as a as an advisor,
can you talk about the intersection of African Diaspora and cannabis?
Absolutely. The intersection with the African diaspora and cannabis, I think it comes along on several levels. I mean, when we look back at the history of the use of cannabis, particularly in the United States, and in the Caribbean, in what's called the sixth region, actually, this is something that has helped a lot of black folk, maintain their sanity, you know, while living and working in communities with such great social, justice, economic, etc, disparities. And so it really has been an effective way of managing stress. And so much, you know, many times when I speak about, you know, what, what black folks are going through in the West, we talk about post traumatic slavery disorder. And the fact that we've never had not to mention that the 40 acres in a MOBA, we've never had a way or a vehicle in which to address some of the damage that has occurred through slavery and its subsequent manifestation, you know, post reconstruction and all of this particularly in the in the United States. And so, kind of us has offered that that outlet. Now, the other side to that is that kind of us and even some of the east of charges have placed brothers and sisters in prison. Again, in justly Somalia serving very lengthy sentences, as opposed to those who may be using auto scheduling drugs that are quite harmful and processes and so forth. So for me the ability to give the African diaspora an opportunity to benefit from, you know, the new and changing laws and policies on cannabis is very important, because subsequently what will happen for those especially pan African conscious, who are looking to the continent within the context of sankofa, which is the adinkra symbol for go back and get it you know, it's a swan that's looking behind it is the ability to leverage the cannabis economy and all the related opportunities for the continent. So in a solid by us, for us matter. So I do believe the African passport is going to be a very important part of the the use and the promotion and the cultivation and development of cannabis on the continent.
Absolutely. I apologize. I mispronounce that dice Bora. I don't know why I was saying do. So do you want to talk about some of your work that you did through the Bob Marley foundation and how that prepared you for after healios?
Absolutely. And I served as the managing director for the Bob Marley foundation 2004 to 2005 actually, and it was right after leaving my post as the acting director for the Center for race and Race Relations at the University of Florida. Levin College of Law. I had previously been working with Mrs. Marley's in the late 1980s into the 80s in a management capacity, so I was really happy when she called me forward to come on board. Obviously, you know Bob Marley being so far out and the salary. You know, they've got holdings and different projects that they're doing where cannabis is concerned. But I think, indirectly, the ability to use the name and the brand, Bob Marley to advocate and to promote policies and policy changes. For the African, or as particularly in areas, like health and education, and general well being, as the Bob, Midas only ation does work with, I think it did, and it has not only sensitize you, but prepare me to work with similar organizations or institutions that are advocates and champions for policy change, because essentially, that's what one of the things that after heel or toe, it is a, you know, planning to be this vertically integrated company will have to deal with, we will have to be dealing with policy changes along the way, you know, whether it be releasing our brothers and sisters from an MDR, because of this platform, but certainly that's my concern. from prison, you know, these heavy sentences, as I mentioned before, for cannabis, or whether it is about on the continent, being able to look at the, for instance, free trade agreement that's just been instituted took about 55 countries now. So lobbying will have to be done to these different countries, as we cross borders, and so forth. So I think it has helped me a lot. And also just in terms of brand management, you know, how do we manage your brand, position the brand so that people are sort of going into the elephant in the room? And, and asking Shay questions like, Oh, you know, what about, you know, the joints or the spliff or whatever, you know that that's all good. That's, that's, that's, that's fine. But that's not the issue here. Right. The issue is, how do we cultivate how do we create jobs? How do we create industries? And how do we curate an industry that can be transformative on the continent? Many people don't know that in Ethiopian, the 1950s. hemp although not cannabis, hemp was a cash crop. Much like it was in the United States, you know, during World War World War One. So we're we're to rather so you know, we've got, we've got a long way to go. And after Helios, I think we'll be able to be one of the champions for recognizing the potential of cannabis and how it can transform lives through economic and social initiative.
And on that note, can you tell us what is your favorite thing about cannabis? like big picture? What is your, the What drives you to at the
most? You know, I'm vegetarian. I'm a naturalist. I believe in nature. I do not inoculate my children. I don't say that I'm anti vaccine, because I believe in freedom of choice. So I can tell you what I'm for. Right? I you know, when my stomach is our feeling when I go to my garden, I get my peppermint when I saw. So I look at this most precious plan within that same context. You know, I respect Mother Earth, I respect the blessings of the Most High that has given us everything we need within nature. And so this plant that has so many properties is endless. The potential is one of the things that fascinate me, really, really fascinates me, that one little plan can do so much. Yet it does such little harm to the earth when you talk about the degradation of soil and this sort of thing. And then on a personal level, it has been very important in my life. You know, going through law school, being able to study and being able to focus and being able to relax myself and you know, a time that I went through heavy levels of anxiety and couldn't eat and this sort of thing. And so, for me personally, cannabis has been medicinal. It has allowed the ability to heal myself with a plant much like others. said you know if there's something going on and Tommy's not good at peppermint, you know, if I need some detoxification of that my aloe vera so it is within the, the the the vast array of plants and gifts that we have been bestowed upon with the warm tides, natural status. The other thing, it's like, dry rolls on, you know, dry, you know, tea, Dawn, this is not something that requires processing. And yeah, so for me, those are the areas that fascinate me even more, and why I just really do believe and not believe but know that indeed this precious plan, this lesson plan needs to be respected, almost revered, protected, promoted, and certainly within all of that context be a benefit to black people on the continent and abroad in myriad ways.
Absolutely. I know, I keep saying that. But everything you're saying is so on point. I'm just like, yes, yes. That's so amazing. So I know you have 10 children, how did they feel like how do you deal with, you know, being a mother with cannabis? Do you have any general takeaways from that about how has affected your parenting?
Well, keep me kept me calm. You know, I have children in the 70s 80s and 90s. And so, you know, parenting is let's face it, it's all trial and error. That's the reality, right? point in case my number nine and 10 are identical twins. Yet, they're so completely different. And, you know, cannabis has, certainly and has that creativity. And they have the ability to mother. And, and the ability to again, focus and find different ways in which to engage children through these various and, you know, various stages of their life, as well as life, because, you know, children, a little people and so you're growing together and, and changing together. So I do, you know, I certainly know that cannabis has been that rule for me personally, be able to allow me to hold that meditation, be focused, be caring, mutation, be tolerant, you know, there's times when you get pushed to the edge, especially when they start going into those teenage years. Right. So it also allows for reflection, it also allows me to be able to center myself, you know, center myself, and sometimes frankly, not take myself so seriously. Because it doesn't make you happy. And so, you know, you're able to sometimes we're we're typically you may get angry, and it's like you have something let me laugh this off. This is this is really hilarious. And I'm not gonna lie about it one day, so I may laugh about it now. You know. So it is again, that that type of experience of joy and centering, and it's spiritual, it's so spiritual, in how it connects, and, you know, some people say, oh, but don't you get paranoid? No, you know, you know, certainly, your opening up the chakras or whatever you're opening up. It's a sense of awareness, consciousness that has been heightened. And now it's not for everyone, let's face it, just like sugar or wheat. Right? Yeah, people glucose intolerant, right? Or, you know, anything, anything on the face of this earth may have adverse effects on a normal person, right. And so again, I promote the freedom of choice and the freedom to be able to exercise that right. To heal ourselves and immerse ourselves in experiences that are not just healing but calming and self soothing, and self gratify, you know, right?
Yeah, absolutely. I think with all plant plant medicine, it's a lot of trial and error. It's like parenting in that way. But it is, I mean, you really You have to have patience, and you have to try different scenarios and go low and slow and all of that. Because I didn't used to do that. I mean, when I first started with cannabis, I was just like, whoo, you know, once you become more intentional with it, though, it's, it's a whole new world,
I believe. Yeah. And it's also different stages, because the way I related with as a teenager, those are my early young activist days are quite different than how it is no, being a grandmother of 13, and my children, all adults, we work together, some are also in the industry as a matter of fact. So so it's like anything else the relationship changes, you know, if I talk about chocolate, Mason loves chocolate as a, as a child, right, but now the type of chocolate that I may have, and when I have it, and how I enjoy it is quite different than sort of being a 16 year old kid and just, you know, trying to, you know, get as much as I can, and then you go into a sugar shock and, and this kind of thing. So right, it is about, you know, also understanding your own body. And being in connection and, and in that oneness. So that's where that spiritual side also comes in with the physical or the, you know, the chemistry side of it. Yes, absolutely.
I think that is totally key. And I love that you just explained it like that, that was beautiful. So before we end this episode, do you have any calls to action or anything specific that you'd like to promote anything coming up that you want to draw attention to,
you know, I really, I want to see afra healios launch in a major way, and get massive support with particularly from the African diaspora. We have to clean this and all of this have agency over this entity, because we're all going to benefit from it. And this means going through the process of the journey with this baby mama company right now. So everything from the policy side to the agriculture, to the pharmaceutical development side to training for young people, and and one day, I mean, my big vision, I may as well share it now is the establishment and easy Ethiopian cannabis exchange. So you know, it's traded in different grades. And this encourages farmers to grow to a certain standard, and it comes to the market. And, you know, farmers can just benefit from this, and they'll be able to sell their goods. And so I am just really excited about what after you're all in the future, and really want to use, use my energy, my brand, if you will, and resources and connections to bring attention and the heightened awareness. You know, we've got to educate. We've got to heighten awareness, because remember, there's been decades of like tearing this down. Decades of propaganda. Right, I remember the first paper I did with my bachelor's degree. And my paper was about cannabis, and all the benefits. This is maybe 1995, or six or something like this. And my professor is the same one. And here we are, you know, what, 30 years later. And everybody's talking about this, when again, we're not benefiting from it, although we were the ones that were the vanguard, but you can enter the rest of our AI community the rest of the five themes that boldly said, as teachers Tosh said, legalize it, and I'll advertise it. And as an avid teeter dosh fan, that's basically where I am. legalize it, and I will advertise it.
I love it. Well, thank you so much for joining us today. It was such an honor. And I am so grateful for all that you're doing in this industry.
Thank you. Thank you for what you're doing as well, Your Highness, because we all need this and Becca always said I'm ready to roll.
I know you are it till next time, stay high and beautiful.
Bye.
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