Many small businesses rely (probably mistakenly) on the free platforms that social media provides. They invest thousands of dollars using the platform's integrated ads, to build an organic and grassroots following. Building a fan base on social media is a difficult task, and the sudden removal of all of those potential customers, clients, and friends with no warning whatsoever is wrong.
Coors, Absolut, and every other big alcoholic brand has social media accounts. Alcohol is without doubt more harmful than cannabis, and is illegal for those under 21, and yet there they are, operating these accounts with no complications.
Legal medical cannabis dispensaries are offering a valuable service to our society's sick and infirm. It's like shutting down the media accounts of pharmacies, because some people abuse drugs sometimes.
Marijuana is legal in some form or another in 23 states and the District of Columbia. On a federal level, legislature has passed that prohibits US agencies from raiding pot shops in states that have legalized medical marijuana. Four states — Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbia — have legalized recreational marijuana. How can FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RECREATIONAL OR MEDICAL USER? WHAT OTHER MEDICATION USE WILL CAUSE THEM TO SHUT A USER ACCOUNT?
Stuff like this enrages me and so I am prepared to stop investing time in maintaining an account on facebook. It's simply not worth it for my business. The dollars I spend there to find followers like you guys are worthless if they pull my page and all of those relationships. So adios facebook. You suck anyway.
I've been thinking a lot about what I want to build here, for you guys. As my fan base grows I become more and more interested in funneling everyone to my own platform, which as you know is thestonermom.com and this email list.
This newsletter and my website are the only places in the virtual world that are mine. It's my only direct connection with you.
Think about it. I have over 3k subscribers on YouTube. What happens to them if Google suddenly suspends my account? The only hope I have in staying in contact is for them to know where to find me.
All of this got me thinking about what I want to build long-term. I'm proud that I have built a robust website, packed with value., so that I don't really need to worry about. But... there are other things I want to do that can really help The Stoner Mom grow and better serve my audience. Things like making this a really popular newsletter, writing books that will live forever, and putting a forum on thestonermom.com so stoner parents worldwide can connect and find support with each other.
Here are some current ideas, some in the works, some just floating around in my head, ready to implement in the future.
Community
You guys want a community, and I want to give you one. There is no space on the internet for cannabis using parents with brains, and that is not right! Benefits of a community would be you guys establishing relationships with other stoner parents, offering counsel and advice to one another. I would of course be a super active community member, and I know you guys would love a safe place to communicate. I really want to make this happen.
Patreon
Some have suggested I start a Patreon account. I am. It's almost ready. Patreon is a website where people who enjoy certain content creators (think YouTubers, Podcasters, and Writers) can make a small monthly pledge, usually between $1-5 dollars, to help build a reliable flow of income for independent content creators such as myself. I think it's a fabulous idea and I'm eager to hop onboard. But I want it as value packed as everything else that I do, so it's going to be a day or two before I go live with the program. Essentially though, I plan on releasing more videos weekly on Patreon, as well as hosting some cool live smoke sesh events for patrons.
Transitioning to Weekly or Bi-Weekly Emails
I would like to perhaps send more personal emails on a more frequent basis. I dunno. Sometimes I feel like you guys might want to hear more from me. What do you think? Would that annoy the crap out of you? Hit reply and let me know.
GrowCast is Getting a Makeover- and I think it's gonna excite you
Our newest podcast episode (coming out this week) will wrap up season one of The Stoner Mom Presents: GrowCast. For season two we are radically changing things up. The new podcast will expand and cover the topics that I tackle on thestonermom.com. Namely, getting stoned, being a twice married middle aged person, all things parenting, pursuing happiness, being a millennial plus whoever came before them (looking at you David), and many other things that delight stoner parents. I think we're calling it Mom and Dad are Stoned.
Our Books
David is entering the final stages on his guide on growing cannabis at home. It's sure to be both entertaining and super helpful for my readers who really want to try growing a pot plant or two on their own. I think this is the best solution for my friends in areas with *cough* less liberal laws *cough cough*. Meanwhile, I am working on my book, a beautiful and concise guide for gentle and responsible parenting with cannabis. I know you guys will adore it. Stay tuned friends.
Okay, it felt good to get all of that out there. If you have any thoughts on any of these ideas, I'd appreciate it if you simply hit reply to this email and just let me know. One or two sentences is fine. Thanks in advance!
