We first came across SMK BRK several years ago and became immediate fans to their playlists dedicated and curated appropriately for cannabis lovers that had a diverse mix of taste in music and culture. As we began planning MARY Fest and on the search for music curators who understood the culture, the people and what the right vibe would need to be for this experience, we knew we had to get in touch with Laura OG and have a discussion.
SMK BRK is much bigger than a series of playlists curated by their team but also a safe haven for women to enjoy themselves and make space for their personal fulfillment through their cannabis use. We speak with founder, Laura OG on the creation of SMK BRK and what lies ahead for the company.
Begin by sharing your background, personal and professional and how it merged with your relationship with cannabis?
My relationship with cannabis started in college. It helped me deal with stress and anxiety, on top of providing me with creativity and inspiration needed to survive art school. As I started to get older, my relationship with cannabis matured as I sought out to learn more information about the plant, about different strains to eventually learning how to cultivate it for myself. The knowledge that I have gained is something I wish to share with other women so they can feel as empowered by this herb as I do.
What led to the creation of SMK BRK?
A few years ago I read a study that showed that 66% of women hide their cannabis use. Despite being the largest growing consumer demographic within the cannabis industry, women were not comfortable about being open about their cannabis use. I wanted to change that. I wanted to not only provide a safe space for women to embrace their relationship with cannabis, but I also wanted to be their go-to source for all their cannabis questions, comments and concerns. It was my goal to create a brand that felt like that best friend that always shows up with the best weed and is there to answer all your questions—free of judgment or ridicule. SMK BRK is here to help usher in a world where cannabis consumption is as normalized as alcohol consumption is amongst women. We’re using music as our conduit to do so.
What are some of the programs and events SMK BRK has hosted or been a part of?
We are known for our playlists, therefore we tend to do a lot of music curation and event soundtracks for other cannabis brands. You can check out our event soundtracks here. During the height of the pandemic, we partnered with HiVi for a virtual smoke session and joint rolling workshop called The High Rollers. For each event, we sent out High Roller Kits that featured rolling papers, herbal blends and other smoking accessories from BIPOC women-owned brands. The event series allowed ladies to not only connect with each other, but they were able to meet the owners of the brands in the kit. The series was a total of four events, with our last one taking place in-person at Cafe Cannal in New York City.
SMK BRK is set to be a safe haven for women to be open about their relationship with cannabis and you’ve released a series of “Guides”. What can your audience expect to read there?
Our guides tackle situations you may come across as a cannabis consumer. We have the freedom to discuss topics in an authentic way that a lot of brands may not want to get into or not know how to get into. The mission of our SMK GUIDES is to not only provide women with practical information to elevate their next smoke break, but we focus on turning them into educated, conscious consumers. So while we will discuss how to know what top-shelf, quality flower should look like, we will also provide you with valuable information on how to properly smoke out your apartment or how to procure weed when moving to a new city. Our guides are real life, and most importantly, relatable. We want to make sure we cover things that aren’t usually discussed when it comes to cannabis. We speak on the culture, the lifestyle and how to navigate as a consumer within the legacy and legal industry. New SMK GUIDES are sent out via our newsletter bi-monthly on Wednesdays and older guides can be found right on our website.
Tell us more about the SMK BRK Playlists. There are over 140 playlist created to date and that’s amazing dedication to your branding and the mixes hit home with setting the vibes!
Music and weed is such a beautiful combo. It’s our preferred way in which we start to normalize the conversation around women and weed. Our playlists are curated sounds from women of all ethnicities, ages, locations, and professions that consciously and unapologetically incorporate cannabis into their everyday lives. These playlists give us a bit more insight about these wonderful women and the type of music they like to connect with when reaching their highest form. We debut a new playlist every Monday and spend the week highlighting the Vibe Curator, their playlist, why they choose to consume cannabis, and their favorite strains and products. These playlists are meant to set the vibe for our next smoke break.
You match strains with each playlist. What goes into making those selections?
When it comes to pairing strains with sounds, it’s really all about the vibe and effect. At SMK BRK, we define a vibe as the intersection between sound, strain and setting. So the first thing we want to know is what is the type of vibe you’re looking to curate? Are you looking for something you can play while unwinding in a bubble bath? Or are you looking for something more upbeat & fun to entertain your dinner party guests? Our primary focus is on making sure that the effects you feel from certain cultivars are in alignment with the effects you’d get from listening to certain genres, songs or artists.
What can we expect next from SMK BRK?
More vibes. More playlists. More products. We are focusing on our energy on creating more in-person experiences––especially around sounds and strains, as well as more products to help elevate your smoke breaks and support your cannabis lifestyle.
