This week's feature is Luis Hinojosa the co-founder and creative director for Cura and Kanna Social Club. I've been following Kanna Social Club, but due to my schedule at work I have not been able to attend their CLBTECH events to seeing Geral @elonlygeral live to 5k @5kmarathon x AB @madninetysix to Joelitos disco set @joelito.joelito.joelito :( you know what they say? If you can't see em just book em! Going to see the spot before our Never Ending Valley Summer (tomorrow 8/26) event it's very nice! Seeing it empty due to their opening hours I look forward to coming in on day and having the house special a Kanna drink. This is Kanna Social Club @kannasocialclub
We begin by asking Luis what he's been experiencing as of recently "The feeling of purpose. This gift I’ve been given of co-creating two cannabis brands at once is a blessing I don’t take for granted, and at 24, I’m grounded. Eyes on the prize, and ready to rollout the new normal." As he says "eyes on the prize" but it just doesn't end there. There's much more ahead! Gotta keep going. He continues by giving out a shout-out "Yes, first I’d like to shout-out Jesus Christ. In our current time, it is easy to be lost and out of guidance; to let your true potential go unrealized. For me everything began clicking once I truly began living through Christ." Amen Brother.
What is Kanna Social Club? To anyone who has questions about it, how would Luis describe it? "Kanna is the elevated social experience. For the purist, a place to indulge in our original house of brands, from PALA infused delta 8 cocktails to BLND delta 8/CBD pre-rolls. For the tourist, a Smokey club ambiance that breaks your way of thinking on weed subconsciously." Just reading the words "from PALA infused delta 8 cocktails" has my head spinning. I can't imagine the taste, but I am curious. I've had a hemp/delta8 beer before, but a cocktail version just sounds better. It must be an experience for sure just to try something new.
What is the goal with Kanna Social Club? What does he wish to provide to the community with this space? "The valley and Texas as a whole has a very outdated view on cannabis. A view that highlights laziness, complacency, and idleness. When I view cannabis, I see my late grandfather that suffered from Lung cancer, and I remember the relief it brought to him both physically and mentally. My goal is simple, make people aware of this wonderful plant and the good times it’ll provide."
I do feel that cannabis has its benefits for sure. Besides the recreational there is the medical uses of it as well. On their website they also include some info on differences and things you may "want to know" as titled. https://www.trycura.com/s/stories
How has it been since they first opened up to now? What differences/changes has Luis seen or what has he changed? "Game changing. We’ve brought to life an idea people would’ve seen as crazy just a few years ago. Where else can you smoke a pre-roll and drink an infused beverage while also being able to consume it without judgement? We’re the crazy ones, we’re the ones that aren’t afraid to say cannabis deserves to be seen and enjoyed the same way alcohol is." I mean I never had the thought about infused beverages especially cocktails and I do enjoy my cocktails. The idea sounds like something crazy to be had years ago. I mean we have cigar bars so now there's the evolution or the addition of cannabis bars.
I see that Kanna is a Cura and WYLD Smoke Shop collaboration? How did this come to be? What brought up the idea? "Timing. God has an unconventional way of working, and I love that. My great friend and now business partner Marcelo Zavala is the owner of Wyld Smoke Shop, and was one of the first to believe in my cannabis brand Cura. Before the Club, Kanna was simply a pop up experience I created to break the stigma around cannabis, while also allowing people to immerse themselves in the latest products we created at Cura. Before I knew it, the team at Wyld reached out and here we are today. A WORK OF GOD." From a pop up experience to now having Kanna Social Club. I know there's Cura where you go in and shop or order online, but Kanna provides that as well, but in an environment and a crowd that wants the same. I want to say that Kanna opened up sometime in March and here they are. Going strong and with eye catching sets that I keep missing because of work >:( but that's soon to change!
I've seen flyers for shows and is there a certain sound Luis enjoys to put out there? How has the crowd reception been to these events? "CRAZZZZY. Shoutout everyone who did it with me from the beginning (you know who you are). Music is a feeling, and I create these happenings as a way to allow people to experience something different. Each of these happenings I curate monthly from CLBTECH to 808, Showcasing the best local artists, and giving them the platform so many other venues denied them of. I truly believe the valley has a pool of untapped talent, and I’m here to help in anyway I can." The flyers are really well done along with the video reels as well. Man I can't believe I missed out on Geral AHHHH and Joelito telling me "caileeee perro, this is a once in a life time thing" regret haha, but I'm glad people are having fun and enjoying themselves for sure. I look forward to seeing the flyers and upcoming CLBTECH.
What sort of feedback have Luis received on Kanna? How has the reception been so far? "ALL LOVE. ALL GLORY TO GOD. Can’t stress it enough. They ain’t believe in us…..GOD DID."
How does he wish to grow/add as time goes on?
"I’m looking at taking Cura global. I am the Warhol of cannabis. The Off-White in the cannabis industry. This is more than just a CBD brand to me, God gave me this gift and I plan on giving it to the world." El vatoooo, get it! Use that energy and push it out there. The growth doesn't stop. We on that mission type beat for real! We keep it OAM @onamissiontx in this house!
Is there anyone you wish to collaborate with within the community? Anything you have planned as well that you would like to sneak peak to the readers?
"Bring them all, we’ll chat and see what we could make happen. I love the valley, I believe the valley is the next Austin, Houston, eventually Dallas. We have creatives in so many languages from design to music to architecture and engineering. I love being able to provide this unique space to unique individuals. On the sneak peak, I’m working on the fall/winter collections for my vapor, edible, and pre-roll brands. Lots of release party experiences, lots of cannabis. What a time." Let's make it happen! Hit them up for real. There is certainly a lot of creatives in the valley which is great along with as mentioned the "languages." We are a mixing pot. filled with diversity to the tiniest detail. When it comes to the winter collection I don't know why I automatically thought about chocolate abuelita vape cartridge.
Kanna drinks when? Ya pego una sed pero de la mala.
Is the Kanna drink THE house drink?
"Ya estuvieras chief, just make sure to add some CBD or D8 to really make our signature house drink come to life." Noted, but now it's the hard part do I infuse the Kanna drink with CBD or D8 or do I just try both? Decisions, decisions. OR do I have a pre-roll and the infused Kanna drink? Tougher decisions.
What are his thoughts on CBD/D8 infused drinks? What separates them from non infused drinks? Does he mind explaining a bit about that?
"I believe they are perfect for the non alcoholic drinkers that don’t enjoy hangovers or bad nights from overdoing alcohol. Studies have even said cannabis could counteract the effects of alcohol which is great" Really? Cannabis can counteract the effects of alcohol? Is that one of the benefits of an infused drink? Hmmm that's pretty interesting. You truly do learn something new everyday.
Luis now shares his thoughts on the local valley scene,
Está con madre, if you guys want to tap in with the guy creating the dopest scene tap in with AB (MAD96) and the whole team over there. Special people, glad to have friends like them.
Along with one final comment,
Live life true to purpose, no matter how different it might seem, or how out of touch people see it as, live with purpose. That is God speaking, that is life. Thank you for this opportunity Ram.
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