Grower Stories #164: Allyson Sprinkel

Tia Moskalenko
Tia Moskalenko

Tia Moskalenko, author of the AskGrowers blog, brings a unique blend of content to her readers. She is known for conducting insightful interviews with key figures in the cannabis industry, including brand representatives, manufacturers, and experts. In addition to her interview skills, Tia has a keen focus on CBD. She expertly curates product selections and reviews, offering her readers detailed insights into the various effects and benefits of CBD. Tia's ability to combine in-depth interviews with comprehensive CBD analysis makes her a valuable asset to the cannabis community, offering a well-rounded perspective on the industry.

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Grower Stories #164: Allyson Sprinkel

Allyson Sprinkel, Owner and Creator from Pepper Lee CBD talks about her cannabis brand.

The AskGrowers team chats with Allyson Sprinkel, Owner and Creator from Pepper Lee CBD about how the brand got started and what it focuses on. Allyson talks about creating her line of beauty and wellness products based on her own personal needs. She also talks about some of the products she uses on a regular basis and how her brand approaches CBD differently as compared to other brands, and gives some tips to new CBD users.


Tia: Tell us how you started Pepper Lee CBD?

Allyson: I began in the spring of 2018 after being gifted some hemp. I started making oil extractions and studying up on recipes and taking classes at local apothecaries and online. I read a lot of books about crafting, medicines, Ayurveda, and ancient traditions during this time. I firmly believe I was being downloaded this information and path from a divine place. It was a magical year full of so many blessings and open doors.

heal daily ritual

I was gifting or bartering my offerings for a while and had an epiphany. People that weren’t just my family and close friends seemed to really love what I was making. So I figured I would make some labels. I hired lawyers, began networking, and applied to our local farmers market. Much to my surprise, I got in as a full-time vendor and that has helped my business grow - shout out to Burlington Farmers Market!


Tia: How does your brand differ from others similar to yours?

Allyson: I call my line a bath, beauty and wellness collection. I have always made my own beauty products and oils but this takes it to another level. I don’t see a ton of CBD lines out there that carry hair masks, herbal smoking blends, facial serums, coffee scrubs, aftershave acne balms, and face and body whips. I am deeply rooted in the feminine magic of this plant. I think another big difference is that I am a one-woman show. I do literally everything with these two hands. And i think that small-batch attention to detail is felt in the products and the price.


Tia: On your website, you mention “a different approach to CBD”. What’s that?

Allyson:  I would say because I am small and not trying to be everything to everyone. I think my approach, as I mentioned, is more feminine and gentle. I use very high-quality oils and extracts in the old-fashioned way of oil, air, fire, plants, and water. I also use hemp as part of the story of my products, not the only player in the game.


Tia: Do you have any tips for someone starting to use CBD?

Allyson:  I always tell my customers who are just finding me that whatever pocket of your life you can realistically work CBD into, it will enrich, strengthen and heal that part of your daily ritual - whether it be smoking some Goddess Smoke at the end of the day, starting your run by lathering up with Muscle Rub or using the Honey and Rosemary Hemp Hair Mask weekly on their self-care day. The best CBD use is the one you will actually use.

I also always tell people that it works differently for everyone and that they will develop their own relationship with the plant over time. That is not a common adage of our one-size-fits-all-take-2-of-these-and-call-me-in-the-morning medical upbringings. But I do believe people are coming around to the idea of taking some control back of their healing and health through diet and ”alternative” medicinal routes. I talk to them all the time. It is the blessing of my life to be able to make products that aid in the development of that side of someone’s life journey.


Tia: As a rule, CBD is consumed to minimize stress and relax. Does CBD work for everyday usage?

Allyson: I believe that in low doses over time, CBD is great for system maintenance but, as I stated, it really does work differently for everyone. I also believe that your body can develop a bit of a tolerance, so it is good to take a break and reset at times.


Tia: Have you personally encountered negative attitudes towards you because of the use of cannabis or because of your choice of work related to cannabis?

Allyson: I live in Vermont, so everyone here is extremely supportive of my work. Although, I did get some shade my first year at the farmers market from people. It was a lot of eye-rolling and people passing by saying “another CBD brand…”  but I am wise enough to know that those are not my people. And I have plenty of people who love and support what I do so I try not to let that hate and judgment get to me.


Tia: Are there any brands in your state you appreciate and follow? And in the USA in general?

Allyson: I really respect my fellow women makers and farmers in Vermont.  Meredith at Magic Mann is a goddess, so is Arantha at Caledonia Cannabis, Jessilyn at Nursegrown Organics, and Annika at Primal Botanical. I also love my hemp farmers, NEK Hemp. They are a small family farm that operates on solar and their farm is the most beautiful place.


Tia: What is your personal cannabis consumption routine? Does it affect your work/ life?

Allyson: I always tell people that I just make things that I want to use and then make extra for them. I am my own best customer. I use my facial serum and oil wash every morning as my skincare routine and muscle rub on my neck to get out the creaks. I use My Holy Hair and Everywhere Oil on my hair every day as well. While at work, I sip on my Soul Flower Sipping Tea for a relaxed day, and when I get home, I take a bath with my CBD bath scoops and/or Salt Scrub. I love to end my day with a cup of ashwagandha tea and a few hits of Goddess Smoke and some Rest Well (my CBD and kava root tincture) for a good night’s sleep. So yes, it does affect my work and life in that it makes it more deeply feminine, present, and pleasurable!


trends and standarts
Tia: Your top strains to smoke? Why?

Allyson: I smoke organic hemp from my farmers which is unique to their farm, called Barton Mountain Blend. I blend it with mullein, horehound, skullcap, and rose petals for a deeply relaxing and delicious smoke.


Tia: What are the 3 main trends in the cannabis industry in 2021 for you now?

Allyson: I am not really interested in trends to be completely honest. I love what I make and have kept the blinders on for the most part and that has served me well.


Tia: If you could have a chance to smoke with anyone on this planet, who’d that be and why?

Allyson: I actually do not smoke weed, but if I could pack a bowl of my Goddess Smoke and chat with anyone, it might be Marilynne Robinson, Toni Morrison, or Kurt Vonnegut. Their writing is divine, and I would love for them to tell me a story.


Tia: Do you plan to expand your brand with time? If yes, what do you plan to add to your product line?

Allyson: I am in the process of bringing in some gummies and I love adding tools such as gua sha and other handmade mixing bowls and different items for ritual to aid in the use of my products. I love collaborating with other makers in this way. I also have a lot of seasonal products that come and go as the seasons change. As we move into the cooler months, I will be making a CBD Coffee Scrub and Face and Body Whip that only comes around in the Fall and Winter.


Tia: What are your predictions on the cannabis industry for the next 5-10 years?

Allyson: I know better than to make predictions but I do believe the people who have the passion and are in these businesses for the right reasons will do well. I hope more women and BIPOC-owned businesses are the biggest trends and the industry standard.


BLITZ:

> Why was weed made illegal?

Racism.

> Will weed be legal federally?

Hopefully!

> Does weed help with cramps?

Oh yes!

> Does weed help with pain?

It can.

> Can weed help headaches?

CBD does!

> Do weed leaves have THC?

Sugar leaves.

> Does weed get old?

Yes.

>> Here’s the list of strains that are considered to be the top ones, do you agree with that?

Can you also share with our readers the specifics of each of them and maybe there are better ones on the market, people should know of?

  • pineapple express strain
  • fruity pebbles strain
  • green crack strain
  • slurricane strain
  • trainwreck strain
  • blue cookies strain
  • gorilla glue strain
  • blue dream strain
  • cherry pie strain

You can follow Pepper Lee CBD at: 

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Thank you so much, Pepper Lee CBD team, for taking the time to do the interview. To learn more about them, head on over to their website.

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