Stop and Smell the Roses owner Cody Coulson with his mother Cassie Berberich June 28 in front of the Port Elgin Shop.
Hub Staff
New Port Elgin entrepreneur wants patrons to Stop and Smell the Roses at his Port Elgin shop that sells legal cannabinoids (CBD), available to purchase for anyone 18 years and older. Cody Coulson, a graduate of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Plant Production and Facility Management program, knows first hand the benefits of using CBD. Derived through hemp from the male Cannabis plant, CBD does not produce THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis.
Coulson, who is epileptic, suffered from ongoing seizures until he started taking CBD through capsules and vaporizers. “I’m seizure free for two years,” he said. “I sleep perfect now... I feel great.”
Coulson said that when he used to take pharmaceuticals to treat his condition, he was never able to carry on conversations. “I used to walk around like a zombie... and now I’m on 20 milliliters of CBD a day (one capsule).”
Cannabinoids “do not get you high”, he explained. They act as an anti-psychotic and are non-psychoactive. “It will block your CB1 and CB2 receptors which are the receptors in your body that will get and stimulate your high. They'll block those and they activate other receptors like adenosine, vanilloid and serotonin receptors and those receptors mediate the release of things like dopamine and glutamine which are things that mediate body temperature, pain perception etc...and that’s why I believe it works as a medicine, because it’s synergistic, you don't need something for pain, something for nausea, something for sleep, it’s one thing,” said Coulson.
Stop and Smell the Roses is a family invested and family run business, said the young entrepreneur. Coulson said he watched the stigma around Cannabis change in his mother, Cassie Berberich. “She went from one side of the fence to ‘alright how do we start a business.’”
“I was on the other side of the fence for years and just through research, talking to Cody and learning myself it’s a whole new story,” said Berberich, calling CBD “amazing.”
She said that her son now has zero side effects compared to before. “Massive anxiety sweats, it was horrible to watch. So now to see him actually live his life is amazing due to CBD.” Berberich said the affects of CBD were almost instantaneous and hopes that people will do their research, stop by the shop, stop the stigma, and learn more about the benefits of the legal form of Cannabis.
Stop and Smell the Roses will carry a range of Miss Envy products, which are derived from Hemp. The shop will also carry selected legal cannabis accessories. “We want to avoid the head shop look so people can feel welcome here,” said Coulson. “I’m very nervous of the stigma around cannabis, that’s why we’re trying to paint the shop, educate everybody, try to speak with certain type of professionalism, and be approachable.”
Stop and Smell the Roses opens July 1 and is located at 1119 Goderich. It will be open seven days a week, from Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
Coulson said the business can also deliver to customers.
Cassie Berberich is ready and excited for the opening. “It just goes to show you that you should follow your dreams and work hard,” she said.