HEMP INFUSED WELLNESS

F A C T S :

• Black women make up less than 1% of owners in the cannabis industry.
• Nearly half of women-owned businesses in the U.S. are owned by minority women.
• 2% of venture capital funds go to women*
• Over the past decade Black women have received  .0006% of all VC funding*

*according to incubator and research center, Digital Undivided's Project Diane

O U R  S T O R Y : 

Hello! My name is Eve, founder of Irie Infusion. We are a cannabis brand serving organic hemp tea. This company is an extension of who I am and what I am passionate about. I wanted to create a business that incorporates wellness, my Jamaican roots, and my love for tea. 

 "Irie" is a Jamaican patois word that encompasses good vibes and positive energy. Both herbal tea and cannabis are a large part of Jamaican tradition and culture and are commonly consumed for their health benefits.  As a black woman and daughter of immigrants, I have made it my mission to promote diverse representation in the cannabis and wellness industry. I measure my success not only based on profit but the impact that I can make. 

Here, at Irie Infusion, we are passionate about WELLNESS, COMMUNITY, & CULTURE!

C O M M U N I T E A :

Irie Infusion stands out because we are an innovative brand that serves organic hemp tea and promotes a holistic view of cannabis. We provide customers a holistic view of cannabis. We provide customers with a unique tea drinking experience with loose tea blends that they can brew at home. For our Atlanta community we serve the iced tea version of our hemp teas, which are a huge hit! Customers love having a healthier beverage option that tastes delicious. 

F A R M  T O  C U P :

HEMP 101:

Hemp is a species of the cannabis plant, named Cannabis Sativa. Unlike its weed, hemp contains high levels of CBD and low THC (.3% or less).  As a result, when consumed, you can experience the benefits of the plant without the intoxicating effects. Almost all of the CBD products on the market are produced by the hemp plant. 

TEA:

As tea lovers it made sense that our premier product would be Hemp Tea.  WE. ARE. OBSESSED. To ensure the best quality, we spent over a year researching the properties of cannabis and establishing relationships with local farmers. Our hemp is organic, pesticide-free, third-party tested and sourced directly from local farmers. There is no middleman. We call that from FARM TO CUP. The teas are then hand blended based on flavor profile and botanical benefits. We currently have four blends, each inspired by our favorite memories and Caribbean culture.  We also have a tea to-go service locally in Lehigh Valley, PA where we freshly brew, chill, and deliver our teas. 

HEALTH BENEFITS:

Throughout human history, we have used nature as medicine. Science has confirmed that humans and almost all animals have an internal system of cannabinoid receptors. The Endocannabinoid system is involved in processes, including pain sensation, appetite, memory, and mood. Studies have shown that cannabis can ease anxiety, improve mood, and help relieve certain chronic conditions.  Not to be overlooked, the seeds and leaves are high in protein, antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 fats and other nutrients. That is why more people are turning to hemp to be eaten and used to make juice and tea.

SERIOUS SUSTAINABILITY:

“Hemp is a more sustainable, organic and regenerative agricultural crop, and most everything that you can make with cotton or soy or corn can be made with hemp – with way less impact on the Earth.” - Morris Beagle (Co-founder,  WAFBA)

Every year, we cut down approximately 15 billion trees. Hemp grows prolifically with little water and no pesticides. It takes up relatively little space, produces more pulp per acre than trees, and is biodegradable. Hemp crops even give back by returning nutrients to the soil and sequestering carbon dioxide. 

This versatile plant can produce a medley of biodegradable materials including plastic polymers, building products, fabrics, wood, biofuel, paper and even car components. 

B E Y O N D  C A N N A B I S :

I intentionally joined the cannabis industry to advocate for social justice and social equity reform. It's my mission to take a plant that has been used to oppress black and brown people and instead utilize it to provide healing and economic empowerment. 

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." - African proverb

We want to create great impact and we need your help to do so.  Your contribution will allow us to reach our following goals:

1. Increase product mix: Not only do we want the capacity to create more tea blends, but we would also like to expand our brand to include a range of hemp infused wellness products including candles, balms, oils, and honey.
2. Chari-Tea: Your funds will allow us to provide the access and education needed to promote healthier habits. Promoting wellness and economic empowerment is a big part of our mission. We want to do this work in under served and marginalized communities. Our chari-tea initiative would involve going out into under served communities to provide individuals with access to healthy food options while also providing educational resources. 
3.  Legal and Marketing Needs: Portion of funds will be allocated towards legal services. In the cannabis industry, the legal landscape is constantly changing. We would like to use the additional resources to keep up with it all and ensure that we are a legally sound operation. Expenses include trademark and lawyer services.  The Marketing/ Branding portion will include digital ads, video, photography, and pop-up events. 

M A R K E T  O V E R V I E W:

Hemp: Hemp (cannabis sativa) is estimated to be a $2.6 billion dollar industry by 2022. The economic potential for this plant is exponential. Total hemp acreage has increased to over 25,000 since 2017. CBD derived from the flowers, buds, and seeds of hemp have also become wildly popular. In 2018, products containing CBD generated $390 million in US sales alone. 

Tea: Tea is a beverage that has a strong global standing. The audience is becoming broader, as the market continues to expand. Millennials are consuming tea more now than ever. Revenue in the US market alone in 2019 was $214 million dollars and is expected to grow by 6.9%.  

Wellness Industry: The health and wellness industry is now worth $4.2 trillion. Wellness, for more people, is evolving. Individuals are looking to improve their health and quality of life with natural solutions. There are health benefits linked to drinking tea and we are tapping into the health benefits of hemp as well. 

T H A N K  Y O U !

Support comes in many forms.

* Donate

* Share IFW Campaign

* Make a purchase at www.irieinfusion.com

* Join the communi-tea, follow @IRIEINFUSION on Instagram

We appreciate any and all contributions to our campaign. Thank you for your support! 😊