Comedian Chelsea Handler, who’s dedicating her time this year to political activism that could see more women elected to higher office, is also working on a project that could get women a little bit high. But not too high (unless they want to be.)
Handler, a talk show host known for her “Chelsea Lately” on E! TV as well as the subsequent “Chelsea” on Netflix (and her New York Times best-sellers such as “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea”,) declared on Instagram on Feb. 13 that she was doing her due diligence on “how weed grows so I know how I can best spread the word.” She paired the remarks with a photo that pictured her amid a grove of marijuana plants.
While in San Francisco recently to appear at a fundraiser for the Karam Foundation, a nonprofit that assists Syrian refugees, Handler confirmed in a brief backstage chat with GreenState that she is working on her own line of cannabis.
The timing of her entry into cannabis entrepreneurship could not be hotter. A slew of female Hollywood leaders — from Whoopi Goldberg, to Charlize Theron, to Jessica Seinfeld have felt now is the right time to emerge from the cannabis closet.
GreenState: We saw recently on your Instagram that you’re getting involved in the cannabis industry?
Handler: Yes, my own line of weed. Too many women have had bad experiences with edibles, and they think you go blotto. The intention is to make your day a little bit easier, and a little bit lighter … so many people are so stressed out. And now, with micro-dosing, I’ve rediscovered marijuana and cannabis in a way that is just medicinal. And I don’t go to get high.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfJdNX1HYbE/?taken-by=chelseahandler
I’d rather everybody get off pharmaceutical drugs. If you have to take a Xanax during the day, or if you have to take whatever other anxiety-related medications there are — ’cause that’s not something I suffer from (she laughs) but — (cannabis) is just better. It’s healthier. And you don’t have a hangover. You don’t have the calories.
I want women to have an easier time. It’s such a man’s drug and it shouldn’t be. It’s not a drug — it’s medicinal. And you don’t need to get high. You just have to be like, ‘This is easier.’ And I’m excited.
It is an interesting time and space for women in cannabis.
It is. Plus, alcohol is just, like, over. It (cannabis) will be the next alcohol. You know? And it’s better for you.
Timeline?
Probably by the end of the year.