Skunk Magazine was founded in Quebec back in 2003 and has stood the test of time for cannabis media. Skunk publishes a physical magazine in tandem with digital content covering the cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic markets. From legacy features to in-depth industry pieces, cannabis culture is well represented in the magazine. On episode 55 of the Respect My Region Podcast, host Mitch Pfeifer spoke with Julie Chiariello, co-owner and Editor-In-Chief at Skunk, about her journey, the magazine, and the state of cannabis media.
Over the past decade, Julie has helped bring Skunk Magazine into a new era. She has built the brand out to be a trusted source and beloved publication that focuses on educating their readers about organic, sustainable growing practices. Throughout her tenure at Skunk, she has created a powerful voice in cannabis. She moved the company to California and bought out the two previous owners, allowing her to grow and transform the magazine dramatically.
Photo sourced from Skunk Magazine Instagram (@skunkmagazine)
Who is Julie Chiariello
For the past 25 years, Julie Chiariello has been a certified herbalist. She uses her experience in that realm to keep the magazine focused on several plant-based holistic medicines. She has spent the past 17 years within the cannabis industry. When asked about her relationship with the plant she commented, “It was really about the way that cannabis and psychedelics woke up my consciousness at 15 and 16. That was really profound, and it led me on a pathway that has animated my entire existence since then.”
Furthermore, she discussed why she is so passionate about being vocal in this industry. “I traveled around the world, and I really realized that cannabis prohibition was the largest human genocide that has happened. It’s not spoken about like that, but it should be because so many millions of people have been held away from the science and then therefore from the medicine, and the healing.”
How Cannabis Can Transform Our Industries
On top of the holistic benefits, Julie explained the impact the plant can have in every aspect of business. “We actually have the technology to be fully regenerative in all of our industries, from textiles to medicine. Across the board in every industry, we have the ability to be more sustainable. And guess what? Cannabis and hemp are a huge part of that and so are mushrooms. So, we have these plant allies with us that want to help, not only heal ourselves but heal how we do business. That really came out for me and that’s when I started speaking out about it at Skunk.”
Julie believes the Earth is propagating consciousness which will help transform the way we do business. As well as transforming how we use our Earthly resources. Skunk Magazine is devoted to that. “If we’re working with cannabis and hemp, we need to be doing it organically and that’s not the norm at this time.”
Skunk Magazine Leads the Green Renaissance
The Summer 2022 issue of Skunk Magazine claimed that the ‘Green Renaissance’ is here. In her interview on the RMR Podcast, Julie explained what that term means. “When I coined the term ‘Green Renaissance’ 10 years ago, it was because people were using the term ‘Green Rush’ which I thought was particularly insulting to all of the people who have suffered under prohibition and all the millions still incarcerated for cannabis. I just felt that there was a lack of respect for that.”
Back in August, Skunk hosted the The Fellowship event in honor of the Green Renaissance. The one-of-a-kind event was an opportunity to support the culture, the small farmers, and the business side of the industry in one gathering.
Although they publish articles online, the real star is their seasonal print publication. The 100+ page tome, as Julie calls it, is a collector’s item that readers can treasure and hold on to for a long time, if not for life. The key ingredient is consistently diverse representation within the industry, as well as their heavy emphasis on education. The authenticity of the stories, the layout, and the culture behind Skunk is why they continue to thrive with a loyal fan base year after year.
Julie Chiariello of Skunk Magazine on the RMR Podcast EP 55
RMR’s North American Weed Tour
Respect My Region presents the second annual North American Weed Tour (NAWT.) This year, we’re going bigger than we’ve ever gone to bring our fans the most authentic coverage of cannabis culture and the legal industry across the nation and beyond. We will be hosting 250 podcast episodes and Instagram live streams. Through those videos we will showcase cannabis products, retailers, farms, labs, kitchens, ancillary services, and technology.
From July 10 to December 15, 2022, the North American Weed Tour will review 500+ products. The goal is to showcase brands across every category in select recreational markets. We will be featuring more than 100 industry leaders on the company’s YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Twitch.
Reach out to us via email at Info@RespectMyRegion.com for information on how your brand can get involved in this year’s North American Weed Tour.
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