Name: Matthew Jerome l Canada’s First Certified Ganjier
Location: Toronto, Canada
Ganjier Graduating Class: October, 2021
Favorite Cultivar: Top 3 – The first Blueberry I ever smoked circa ‘03, a Hashplant I grew with a dear departed friend in my teens, and an NYC Diesel/Critical Mass line I lost to a flood in ‘07.
What was your position before joining Ganjier?
It was as a Senior Executive Assistant/Director of Patient Care for a producer I do not wish to promote. Working for them and seeing what was being done to our industry and community was a huge driving force that propelled me to found Meristem. The regulatory nightmare and complete focus on profit over progress was toxic to be near.
What is it now?
Proud Founder and Chief Consultant at Meristem Cannabis Consulting.
What was your primary ambition/motivation for joining the cannabis field?
As a long time advocate, and educator, I have had the fortune of working with some of the most inspiring people on the planet. So many stories of people struggling for years with numerous afflictions before being safely introduced to the vast number of benefits from this wonderful plant.
My primary ambition is to introduce this plant to as many people’s lives as possible. As a long time medicinal patient I have gone through too many ups and downs to count and have tried to use each one to drive me further on my mission to represent those unable to represent themselves and be an advocate for the safe and affordable access to the quality medicine that they deserve. I entered the field to make sure that the medicinal community is never forgotten, especially during this exciting and tumultuous time in the industry.
Why did you choose the Ganjier program?
I chose the Ganjier to take the opportunity to be a part of something that I could be truly proud of within this community. I chose it because I truly believe in the people who have created this program. These are people who have been my heroes and distant mentors since I became a medical patient at 16. Through their actions, lessons, and conduct, I have learned what it was to be part of a worldwide community and found refuge as a young misunderstood ‘pothead’. Whether it was learning about the art of hash-making from the one and only Frenchy Cannoli, to soaking up every word written by Mel Frank, or watching every minute of incredible content from Kevin Jodrey, I felt part of something genuine and uniting.
I chose the Ganjier program because I truly believe that the council represents the worldwide cannabis community in the way it deserves to be represented and have had every one of my considerably high expectations exceeded. Can’t thank the Ganjier enough for choosing me to be part of this life changing program.
What did you expect going into the course?
I had considerably high expectations going into the course, and expected to be thoroughly impressed. I had been familiar with almost all of the council members’ lengthy lists of accomplishments within the industry, and knew that if anyone could put together a world class program, it would be them. After the shock of having my application chosen wore off, I started to realize that I hadn’t been in that much anticipation for something in years.
What did you find?
Working through the incredibly intense and informative online portion left me almost overwhelmed with new ideas and questions. I was ecstatic at the prospect of heading back to the Redwoods to be among my heroes, and people of the plant. The trip to Humboldt and One Log was a magical experience. I know it sounds cheesy, but it really was.
My introduction to cannabis was at 13 with my family in LA, and I’ve been tapping into the culture there ever since. Earning the title of Canada’s first Certified Ganjier, among the Redwoods, in the heart of Humboldt, at the behest of my heroes, was truly a moment I will never forget.
Was there a game-changing “A-ha” moment for you during the course?
I actually had 3.
1). Smoking cannabis from Kevin Jodreys personal garden – Willie and the Original Cookies.
2). Smoking a joint with Wendy, Derek, Nick and the class looking out on Humboldt at Wendy’s farm
3). Having dinner with Aaron, Kevin, Derek and the class after hours talking about cannabis into the small hours of the night.
What skills/knowledge/philosophy have you been able to take away and apply to your cannabis career?
That my obsession with the importance of quality and the nuances present within this incredible plant do not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the cannabis community. There is so much work to be done in regards to connecting and collaborating together to paint the incredible mural of cannabis. Using the knowledge I have been equipped with from the Ganjier I am better able to objectively assess and guide peoples choices in regards to their personal needs and that’s a beautiful thing.
What impact did the Ganjier training have on your cannabis career/future?
An untold positive one. I have already made hundreds (truly) of connections that Mersitem would not have made otherwise, most within the Ganjier community. I met people from all over the world during my in-person training, and with the benefits of social media I am able to stay in contact and keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on in each and every place we touch.
Everyone I’ve talked to has shown a genuine interest in the benefits of the program and with the work being done by our fearless leader Max Simon, the sky is truly the limit to what we will be able to accomplish as a group. Very proud to be part of it all.
To those considering the course, what advice would you give?
Take the leap… it’ll be the best thing you’ve ever done.
Quotes:
“For anyone debating -from someone who’s had the privilege of completing this incredible course – it is truly the most amazing and life changing experience you’ll ever have. I am so proud to be a Ganjier…words fail me.”
“I literally just went through my first day of in person training and I couldn’t be more proud and pleased. I do not have enough good things to say about this course. The time, dedication and level of interaction is going to set the standard for years to come. Thank you to the entire Ganjier team for your incredible efforts. Today was surreal.”
“So infinitely grateful and proud to be a part of this groundbreaking program. Thank you to everyone involved, council and students alike. So excited for the future of the Ganjier, together we can change the narrative.”
