That Badu
Grammy-winning neo-soul sensation Erykah Badu talks about her cannabis brand, Mad Cow Genetics, motivating women, and her upcoming launches.
As Told By ANDREA M. REYES
That Badu was something that I wanted to do a long time ago. I received many offers before, but I felt it was important to familiarize myself with the laws surrounding cannabis. I had no idea where to start. There was no data on how to do this because in my state, Texas, it hasn’t been legalized. It was something I didn’t want to touch until I could understand it and the laws around it.
THE BIRTH
The official birth of the brand started when my friend, Kamel Jacot-Bell, introduced me to the CEO of Cookies and we started talking about the things we could do together. I wanted a partner not just for business but someone who could educate and mentor me. The CEO of Cookies said, “The whole world has gotten high to Erykah’s music. She represents strong and powerful women with incredible vibes.”
THE BRAND VALUES
My brand comes from a place of passion for the herb and for women. My official launch date was International Women’s Day. Upholding the sanctity of cannabis is an essence that I want to honor and share with my audience. As a doula, I have learned a woman’s state of peace and harmony is the most important thing to establish, especially after giving birth. Working with women intimately for over twenty years has deeply enlightened me to the pivotal importance of cannabis in regulating a woman’s cycle. Anything to relax the central nervous system. Women have a particular biological cycle and there are certain periods in the cycle when we can benefit from cannabis.
“I will expand the That Badu brand with bongs, rolling trays, edibles, and an entire female-focused product lineup that tastes like roses.”
- Erykah Badu
THE FLOWER
That Badu is grown by Mad Cow Genetics and bred in collaboration with Cookies’ sister brand Lemonnade; a zingy, melodious strain from the Jet Fuel Gelato and Lemonchello families. This was a strain that Cookies was holding onto in reserve for special release. It is a hybrid strain of jewel-tone purple buds, curling orange hairs, and a slick dusting of trichomes, lush and pungent with aromas of champagne and candied citrus. I chose this strain because it is calming, increases focus and productivity, and the flavor profile tastes like a chill glass of water with a hint of lemon and cherry pie terpenes. The experience is vibrant, uplifting, and euphoric. That Badu makes you say, ‘I Want You,’ and the high goes ‘on and on.’
THE BONGS
For the bongs, I wanted an artisanal, porcelain, white and purple motif—like a vase (a.k.a. That Badu Lady Vessel) to honor and enhance the sacred ritual between women and cannabis. Its design was made in collaboration with artist Robert Lugo, an influential contemporary “thrower” who works with ceramic. He has managed to merge two centuries together by including current hip-hop culture with ancient Chinese Qinghua ceramics in his art.
THE FUTURE
I have big plans to expand the That Badu brand with more bongs, rolling trays, edibles, and an entire female-focused weed product lineup that tastes like roses and offers the feelings of love. Rose helps to calm the central nervous system and opens and activates your heart chakra. Media will also be a space for growth. Pussy and weed is a topic I plan to turn into a documentary. The power of women in marijuana, and marijuana in women. From sex workers to women growers, hemp farmers, CBD business owners, etc.
