Turn & Run

Spilling the 🫖: Why “it’s giving me ick.”

“Ick” is not the reaction you want to hear, ever.

Last week I attended Hall of Flowers Ventura, a c*nn*bis industry exclusive tradeshow where thousands of buyers, brands, muckity-mucks and influencers of California c*nn*bis convene to do business. In my brutally honest take on what worked and what flopped at the show for Beard Bros Media, I critique a brand’s provocative trade show booth activation.

👀 A must-read for brand builders, buyers, and anyone shaping c****bis culture.

🛑 Trigger Warning: This post contains discussion around topics such as domestic violence, stalking, violence, and identity-based discrimination and harassment that may be traumatizing to some audiences. Turn away now if this is triggering or emotionally difficult.

With Marjo Lak of Humboldt Nation at Hall of Flowers Ventura, March 2025. T-shirt design inspired by the original BWFW.

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Booth activation by Turn, a vape company, at Hall of Flowers Ventura, March 2025

How does this make you feel?

I wasn’t sure what I was seeing at first. I asked different people (of all genders and preferences) what they thought of the booth, and I’d get one of two answers: (1) Confused “I don’t get it but I’m uncomfortable,” or (2) Superficial “it’s so colorful and fun, I like it.”

It took a while for me to find the words to explain what I was feeling and why. Once I figured out I’m seeing, I feel I must speak my peace and share this because quite frankly it’s disturbing and needs to be said — we are navigating dangerous times in current culture, politics, and society.

Not calling out and identifying misogyny, control, and violence for what it is normalizes this message and type of unacceptable behavior – for all genders. Not to mention defacing the image an iconic childhood toy that represents empowerment, diversity, and breaking of stereotypes for girls and womxn all over the world.

“It makes me concerned for my daughters.”

“Thank you for writing what we all thought!”

“It’s not lost on me that that girlies and gays picked up on this dangerous messaging immediately. It’s lost on the privileged, sadly. That’s why people like you need to be in these spaces, we see the damage it causes.”

“You gave me the words I needed to interpret the performance art.”

Performance art gone wrong. Everyone might be talking about your provocative booth but in all the wrong ways. This stunt by Turn, a c*nn*bis v@pe company, featured a teaser campaign and storyline that shows an angry and emotionally unstable Ken who is jealous of Barbie cheating on him with a v*pe pen. I overheard the model was instructed to “look sad.”

So roll up a joint and keep reading, because I’m spilling chai.

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An unintended story revealed itself. It wasn’t planned or orchestrated. I’m certain the event planners, brand marketers, and most attendees haven’t noticed, but I see a clear storyline unfolding.

Ya ready for this?

“Fuck Turn”

A life-size childhood toy bedroom is self-defaced by its occupant, presumably Ken cuddling with a Barbie™ pillow on a blue satin sheet bed. Blue spray paint is scrawled with sharp, pointed text. “Lying Bitch Cheater” is scrawled over an image of Barbie’s™ face alongside an evidence board (also known as a conspiracy board, crazy wall, or murder map) with obsessive, controlling messages and a pink gun taped on the wall pointed at photos of a doll that resembles Barbie™ wearing a pink branded hoodie holding a v*pe pen.

It’s tacky and gross, just like the product it’s trying to sell. Not only is this an insult to women, it’s insulting to men, and anyone who’s experienced an abusive relationship.

🚩

This is NOT how anyone should react and behave towards another person when they are sad or upset.

This is a red flag. RUN.

A few reflection points:

• Does this look like a healthy breakup to you?

• Are you okay with this scene, or does it make you uncomfortable? Why?

• Art should be provocative, not painful or triggering.

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photo by Lili Caroom @therealpotparazzii

Pretty Dope

Meanwhile on the far opposite side in another exhibition hall, the booth that caught everyone’s attention was a pinklicious fantasy wonderland celebrating and empowering femininity in honor of Women’s History Month by Pretty Dope, Yummi Karma, and High Gorgeous.

A bubblegum pink swag wall emblazoned with “Where There’s a Woman There’s a Way” holds free pins, stickers, and accessories with empowering and motivating sayings including “Don’t Look Back, You’re Not Going That Way,” and “Look How Far We’ve Come.”

photo by Lili Caroom @therealpotparazzii

Of course there would be a joint case that doubles as a pocket mirror that reminds you that “Yes… you look high AF.” There’s pastel-colored bottles of fruity tinctures, and a line of luxurious beauty and skincare products that are made with scientifically-backed essential ingredients that are all natural, vegan, sulfate and cruelty-free.

What I love about this booth activation and its products is how it made womxn feel proud, seen, and supported. An authentic display of collaboration over competition. Positive motivational encouragement over control. A place where people are invited to indulge in their femininity.

A group of baseball-cap-bros walk by, snicker, and heckle, “What is that, a girl’s club or something?” 🙄 Gentlemen allies, please share your p.o.v. to help me understand.

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photos by Lili Caroom @therealpotparazzii

Here’s the Chai

Even if Barbie™ were to hypothetically consume c*nn*bis (which she wouldn’t because she is a CHILD’S toy!), she’d have better taste and ambition than a disty vape like Turn.

Bro, please. She’s no side piece girlfriend to a v*pe. If she had a career in w**d, she’d be an entrepreneur and this is the type of company she’d create and build for herself and the women around her. Barbie™ didn’t cheat on Ken with a v*pe, she left his abusive, controlling ass and built a business and empire that empowers people to embrace their individuality and thrive.

She’s not looking back or even thinking of Ken. While he’s brooding, acting unhinged and delusional by defacing his own space while obsessing over a false narrative in his head. Dear Ken, please take a fat bong rip and reflect inwards to ask yourself what are you feeling, where is it coming from, and why. Keep asking why until you run out of answers. (Hint: The answers usually end somewhere with your childhood or parents.) Talking to an unbiased therapist could be helpful.

Ironically this fictional storyline of w**d entrepreneur Barbie™ (concocted entirely in my imagination) is how I see the womxn in the c*nn*bis industry – self reliant, ambitious, and limitless.

There’s a lot of weird shit on the internet when you Google, “pot smoking Barbie.”

To those who grew up with Barbie™ and dreamed of the diverse possibilities and potential beyond traditional expectations she showed us we could achieve, you did it. We’re here.

To the womxn in c*nn*bis: You are the most impressive individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting. You exceed my expectations and surprise me at every turn with your badassery. I see you. I respect and appreciate you. You’re pretty dope.

photo by Lili Caroom @therealpotparazzii

“You’re showing me that we don’t have to feel like we don’t fit into this world, because we can create the world we dream about.”

XOXO, Christina W.