to launch in the state, and we’ve been able to maintain our position as a top seller because of our commitment to quality and innovation.”
Get Ready for Summer with Stigma’s Award-Winning Lemonade Iced Tea
As the cicadas start to sing and the sun shines brighter, we all know that summer is just around the corner. And what better way to enjoy those lazy lake days than with a cold, refreshing beverage in hand? While an Arnold Palmer may be a classic choice, Stigma’s Lemonade Iced Tea takes it to a whole new level.
Since the legalization of adult-use cannabis and hemp-derived THC in Minnesota in 2022, the region has been at the forefront of the newest niche in the industry – hemp THC beverages. According to Stigma’s CEO Josh Malowski, “Minnesota has become fertile ground for innovation in the federally legal hemp industry, and Stigma is excited to be a big part of that.”
For Malowski, the journey of founding Stigma was deeply influenced by his mother-in-law’s battle with cancer. After discovering the potential of Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) in fighting cancer, he and his brother-in-law embarked on crafting their own batch. The results were life-changing for his mother-in-law, who was able to live 24 high-quality months instead of the predicted 14 months on chemo and radiation. This experience inspired Malowski to not only advocate for cannabis but also to destigmatize it and educate others who have been misinformed for the past 80 years.
According to Malowski, the stigmatization of cannabis can be traced back to a combination of economic interests, political agendas, and societal biases. The inability to patent cannabis led to pharmaceutical companies launching a smear campaign against its therapeutic use, while industries like cotton and timber lobbied against hemp production for their own agenda. Politically-driven prohibitionist agendas also perpetuated the portrayal of cannabis as a dangerous drug through propaganda campaigns like “Reefer Madness.” Additionally, cannabis became associated with marginalized groups, leading to discriminatory practices and the use of the term “marijuana” to evoke racial stereotypes.
“Hence the name, Stigma,” Malowski explains. “We are removing the stigma surrounding cannabis, and our key ingredient is a flower, and every flower has a stigma.” Stigma has not only become Minnesota’s favorite cannabis brand, but their Lemonade Iced Tea is also the number one selling product in many liquor stores selling THC drinks today. “We were one of the first brands to launch in the state, and we’ve been able to maintain our position as a top seller because of our commitment to quality and innovation.” So this summer, make sure to grab a Stigma Lemonade Iced Tea and join the movement to destigmatize cannabis.
