New Year, New Experiences
There’s a lot of pressure this time of year to set goals - new year, more productive morning routine; new year, new workout; new year, new relationship with alcohol; new year, new job maybe; new year, new…Whatever the new year brings you, we hope you approach it with self-compassion and softness rather than a crushing load of endless self-improvement to-dos. And, if you do have goals for the new year, no one ever said they had to start on January 1st.
For January, we wanted to partner with Pot + Pan to provide more information on new experiences for dry January and more insight into the world of edibles. Pot + Pan is changing the conversation around cannabis, using a culinary-first approach and focusing on the lifestyle experience for its customers. They create delicious products inspired by flavors and memories of the turning points of our lives and toss the pot leaf and typical cannabis culture for the classic ginghams and stripes we’ve come to know and love from the American kitchen - all while blending each product with well balanced and scientifically tested THC. Pot + Pan products are designed for adults to be a beautiful hostess gift, the alternative ‘nightcap’ at a dinner party, the 21+ version of a summer fireside s’more, a birthday present perfectly packaged, or as an everyday treat akin to what a traditional Happy Hour routine might feel like - the possibilities are endless. Pot + Pan Kitchen at Woodfords Corner (646 Forest Avenue, Portland) opened last summer as a first-of-its-kind kitchenware & entertaining destination offering a 21+ cannabis experience.
Last month, we sat down with Pot + Pan’s Executive Chef, Tara Cannaday, to discuss all things educational and edible related to THC. Pot + Pan just created its first interactive zine featuring its dry January campaign.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to Pot + Pan?
TC: I’ve always loved cooking and baking, thanks to my mother, who had me by her side in the kitchen from a very young age. Before the kitchen was my ‘stage,’ I was a vocalist studying at Berklee College of Music, often hosting dinner parties or cooking for friends and bandmates. I realized as a young single mother that life as a musician wasn’t conducive to being a ‘‘present’ parent, so I traded in my microphone for a whisk and studied pastry at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. I’ve been fortunate to experience culinary + hospitality in many different aspects: everything from working front-of-house as a server and a dough prep cook to working a busy pastry line in Boston and then eventually running two of my own baking businesses. Though the businesses were growing and successful, the schedule was demanding and led me to miss out on a lot of quality time with my daughter. It felt like I was at a pivotal moment in February of 2020 and deciding between expanding my food cart or closing down to regain my quality of life again when I found an ad on Craigslist saying Pot + Pan was looking for a head baker and offering a more manageable schedule for my lifestyle. I interviewed and almost immediately connected with owners Keri Jon Wilson + Dunia Khudairi. This February, I’ll celebrate 5 years with Pot + Pan. It has been a journey that has expanded my skills far beyond baking and integrated my love of the stage through the opportunities I've had to support those new or returning to cannabis as a trusted presence in the community.
You mentioned you did your first full dry January (no alcohol) last year. What motivated you to abstain from alcohol? Can you share the experience and the effects of using THC only? (Awakening, less anxiety, mental well-being, etc.)
TC: Dry January is something that I had heard of and considered attempting for a while, but truthfully, I was unsure I had the ‘willpower’ to commit to it. Alcohol has been a way for me to ‘celebrate’ both small and large occasions, to unwind after a long day, or numb when I was feeling spread thin between my career and life as a single Mom. What people didn’t realize last January was that I was about to head off to film Food Network’s ‘Summer Baking Championship,’ something I had dreamt of for years. I would be leaving my family and my job for weeks to participate in this highly competitive reality television show. I knew mentally I needed to be sharp and present to succeed in any way, so when January 1st, 2024, rolled around, I stocked up on my favorite 2.5mg Pot + Pan edibles and began my dry journey.
Instead of my usual glass of wine or IPA, I chose a 2.5mg gummy or chocolate. The swap to just a touch of THC instead of alcohol pretty quickly provided very interesting insight. I was cooking and creating in the kitchen in ways I hadn’t for years, making thoughtful choices with seasonings, flavors, + finishing, and not just rushing through to get food on the table for my family. My teenage daughter and I were having more transparent conversations, and I was listening and absorbing it all instead of multitasking our nightly chats by scrolling on social media or checking emails. The brain fog and general feeling of anxiety I would wake up with daily disappeared completely. I was successful in being ‘High and Dry’ for January ‘24 and left for my Food Network adventure feeling calm, clear, determined, and overwhelmed with true joy - something I hadn’t felt in years.
Some of us are THC-curious - but also a bit nervous about trying it (maybe based on a high school experience or not knowing our dose/strain) - can you provide any advice on feeling less nervous about experiencing it?
TC: What I've learned is that many of us who have had a bad edible experience probably ate too much THC, as homemade edibles don’t go through any testing and typically run in the 20+ mg range. The key to a positive experience is all about knowing what dose of THC you are consuming. With the new recreational cannabis laws, all cannabis edibles are tested for potency and will tell you right on the front of the product packaging which dose each serving is. While we’re talking about alcohol in parallel, I like to think about it, like understanding how you feel on one glass of wine or a single beer versus two or three. It's why I’ve become so passionate about a true microdose, which, in my expert opinion, is 2.5mg of THC, and our specialty is Pot + Pan! This is a dose that can be confidently shared with adult friends + loved ones who are new or coming back to cannabis. The worst thing that happens at this dose is that you’ve had a delicious bit of candy, chocolate, or dessert and won't feel a thing. Setting and the other things you may have consumed, including alcohol, can have an effect on your overall experience. We have a great 1-minute video on our website that will walk you through the basics potandpan.com/#tossthetaboo
Pot + Pan Pomegranate and Golden Rasberry Gummies Tell us about Pot + Pan's Dry January campaign. How can the held community learn more?
TC: Dry January at Pot + Pan is all about being ‘High + Dry.’ But we’re not talking comatose here; we’re all about cannabis consumption as an integrated part of your lifestyle, with just a touch of THC to enhance your day, ease + open your mind and feel. This isn’t about numbing out. We’re encouraging everyone participating in Dry January with us to consume a light dose, be present, and rediscover the joy in their favorite activities - whether it’s cooking for friends and family, getting outside and enjoying the winter sun, or just enjoying some light reading. We will have complimentary booklets available at our retail store in Woodfords Corner for people to be able to track their Dry January progress + how they’re feeling, as well as some of our favorite activities for high + dry months. I’ll be sharing some of my personal favorite activities and recipes on Instagram @cheftaracannaday as well, so be sure to follow along!
For someone who is new to THC, what is your advice for trying edibles for the first time?
TC: If you’re new to THC or coming back around after a bad experience, my advice is to go low + slow - 2.5mg is the perfect place to start. Don’t feel anything after 2.5? Make sure you wait a full
24 hours before adding additional mg to your dose, so you have a solid understanding of how THC affects you - it affects everyone differently! And don’t be afraid to reach out with any questions you have - I’m always here and want to help! As someone who has struggled with anxiety and anxiety about consuming cannabis as a mom + a professional, I’m very passionate about educating others and helping people feel safe + confident in what can be a really positive and joyful experience with a microdose of THC.
Now, a little survey for our held substackers, would you be interested in a held event to learn more about Pot + Pan and THC edibles? Click below to let us know!
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS
Mary Beth and Tenaya share their experiences with THC and their feelings on it heading into 2025.
Mary Beth - THC has become more and more a part of my life over the last five years or so. In high school and into my 20s, I dabbled in it here and there but looking back, I now know I was not doing it properly and basically just burning the crap out of my throat in order to feel something. I often preferred alcohol instead, but as I’ve gotten older with hangovers and hang-xiety that are taking longer and longer to bounce back from, I’ve explored Pot + Pan to learn more and more about lower-dose edibles. I’m continuing to learn more (even from our recent chat with Tara!), and I find just the tiniest dose really helps me take the edge off on the most trying/shortest fuse of parenting days…let’s just say I was very thrilled to receive some of the 2.5 gummies in my stocking this year. It truly is the little things…and doses.
Tenaya - Now, with two kids, I feel like I need something…something that doesn’t make me feel anxious the next morning or like I have a pounding headache no matter how much coffee I imbibe or carbs I consume. I love the idea of sipping on some nice “Cab Sauv,” but whether it’s sleep deprivation or some likely hormonal imbalance, I just feel shitty after one glass of red. I realize I want something that makes me more present, takes the edge off (as they say), and doesn’t leave me with a hangover. I’ve tried THC in the past, but not with any real understanding of dosage or effect. For 2025, I will learn more about THC in edible form (likely from Tara), a goal I know I can both get behind and commit to.
UPCOMING HELD EVENT
For 2025, we’re setting the intention of self-love. Why? Self-love is not a practice inherent to women. By cultivating it, we can build healthy boundaries with the world, break negative cycles, and improve our mental and physical health to become more emotionally resilient. Join us, Ashley Tucci, owner of Aristelle, and Greta Tucker, photographer, as we spend the night discussing, cultivating, crafting, and embossing an intention that will help foster a better relationship with ourselves and others.
CLASSIFIEDS
Are you a business owner or want to highlight an organization and its needs? Email us at hello@heldportland.com, and we’ll feature it in our next Substack!
ABOUT
Held was an idea that developed over a cup of coffee. Tenaya and Mary Beth are passionate about their Portland, Maine, female community and ensuring others feel supported and connected.
Modern life can often be frenetic and lonely, and most people do not prioritize building their community because it can feel daunting or inaccessible. Held believes that feeling seen and having a sense of belonging are key to one’s well-being. It’s committed to developing events that inspire, promote inclusivity, and celebrate diversity of thought to foster meaningful relationships and personal growth. Held designs each gathering to be transformative by reimagining human connection.
To receive invites, please sign up here and share with those who would be interested. We hope to see you soon!