We’ve all heard the stories of couples struggling with being confined with each other 24/7 during these unprecedented times. It’s enough to scare off anyone in a new relationship (ahem, me). But, in an uplifting turn of events, speaking with Bianca and Tad reminded me of the strength and bond that couples who share work, parenting, and passions, can have, when done right.
Bianca and Tad Snyder are a couple who do it all (or mostly all) together. As the founders of High Society Mama and High Society Papa, they have been advocating plant healing and acceptance among both parents and our culture at large for years. That alone is a full-time job, but wait, there’s more. Together, they raise a son, as well as two growing businesses. Tad is at the helm of Society’s Plant, their boutique hemp farm based in Michigan, which utilizes biodynamic and regenerative cultivation methods. As a certified permaculture designer and sustainability advocate, he is out in the hemp fields every day. Right alongside him is Bianca, who also manages and runs High Society BnB, their cluster of cannabis-friendly rentals in Chicago.
Our conversation was a refreshing take on the fact that, yes, you can do it all, but it doesn’t come easily. Raising a family and running multiple businesses, takes a lot of time, effort, communication, and, of course, CBD.
Meet Bianca and Tad.
Can you share your first weed experience?
Bianca (B): In high school I would occasionally steal a joint from my mom, I don’t think I ever really got high because I didn’t really know how to properly inhale. In college at CU Boulder I took a bong rip before going to Farrand Field on 4/20 and I was more than uncomfortably stoned.
Tad (T): I was with my brother’s friend in high school, I took one or two hits and I was stoned but it was not a profound experience I was dying to do again.
What inspired you to step into this role as High Society Mama and build this community?
B: I saw a void of mothers working to break the stigma of cannabis use. There are tons of moms on Instagram, but there were not many talking about or actively promoting cannabis. There were a few female-centric accounts that I saw that were really shifting the conversation of cannabis away from the stoner stereotype, and that intrigued me. I wanted to bring that same experience to mothers.
How do you handle any negative judgement as a cannabis-consuming parent?
B: Honestly, not very well, despite having some practice and being so open about it! Sometimes it affects me for days! I question my parenting and my life choices being in the industry. Eventually, I see the lesson in the interaction and it makes me stronger and more prepared for how I can help others to overcome this. But, I am most definitely not immune to it. If my place in the industry did not revolve around my advocacy to normalize cannabis use for mothers, then I most likely would not be as personally open about it.
T: There are legitimate concerns over being so open about our cannabis use and business. Anyone that has been in the legacy market or even in the legal cannabis market understands the fear and concerns of growing a federally illegal plant. But, I know that this plant is medicine for many. Growing and sharing this plant with more people that it can help and heal, is a great honor.
How do you/will you discuss conscious consumption with your son?
B+T: We have taught our son that we grow a plant called hemp that is a medicine for many. Has been able to identify the leaves and has called it hemp since he was 3. He knows, it is only for adults to consume, just like alcohol and caffeine. He helps us in the hemp field just like he helps with the vegetable garden. The plant is normal for him, so we don’t hide it from him. He watches us roll joints just like he watches us pick leaves from the plant. We step away to smoke, but it is not with the intent for him to not see us, it is just to reduce exposure to smoke. He helps us in the hemp field just like he helps with the vegetable garden. The plant is normal for him, so we don’t hide it from him.
He helps us in the hemp field just like he helps with the vegetable garden. The plant is normal for him, so we don’t hide it from him. He watches us roll joints just like he watches us pick leaves from the plant.
As creators of Society’s Plant, what change would you like to see in the hemp industry?
B: I would like to see more work and refinement on the genetics of hemp strains. We have had decades of people diligently honing their craft on THC genetics, carefully breeding in the desirable traits and eliminating the undesirable. We haven’t spent this time on CBD, CBG or others. At Society’s Plant we aim to offer artisanal quality hemp flower. We are developing some of our own genetics, which is really exciting to see the progress on.
T: Sensible laws and an increase on the THC threshold to 1% [for hemp products]. I like to think we are setting a high standard for the quality that hemp flower should be in the industry.
Is there anything new on the horizon for Society’s Plant that you can share with our readers? We love the scoop!
T: We are very excited to be growing a few strains of CBG, which will be new to our offering this fall. We also have a few new strains of CBD coming out that we are extremely pleased with the early results of. The main thing we can say is the taste and flavors seem incredibly close to the quality smoking coming from THC strains. If anyone has NOT tried smoking a premium, artisanal quality CBD hemp flower, our best recommendation is the Society’s Plant: Baox Spectrum – it gives a nice floating, body tingle, that is great for relaxing and pain relief. It doesn’t knock you it out, but it will ease an anxious mind.
What’s your secret to balancing parenthood, a community platform, sustainable hemp line, merch line, and more?
B: This is another area I am struggling in. The biggest secret is that social media is very deceiving. I probably look like I have my shit together and have a good balance of FUN, parenthood, plant medicine and running a few businesses, but I definitely do quite a bit more, and I am a living breathing hot mess! Since COVID, I now run my own virtual fitness program and teach group fitness classes 6 days a week. I also run @highsocietybnb – 4 Chicago-based and cannabis-friendly Airbnb properties. It is a lot. I have been working on getting help, so I can eventually balance it all!
T: *Laughs* Secret? It’s impossible. There is no balance happening here.
Does cannabis strengthen the bond you have with each other? How so?
B: We have learned a lot from going into business together. We thought we knew each other
well from being together for 15 years, but this has taught us many new lessons and challenged us in numerous ways. We enjoy working on the plants together. All of the Society’s Plant hemp field is managed by hand, without any agricultural machinery and we use the most sustainable practices we can on our farm. This means lots of time getting dirty together, listening to music and working with the plants, so yes, cannabis does bring us together.
T: We do love to consume together. We are mostly smoking CBD, which helps both mental wellness and managing pain and inflammation. We SHOULD smoke more ritually together, but our work doesn’t have a specific start or end time, and there is always more to do, so along with parenthood, life is not always conducive to that. When we want to get a little bit more silly, connect, spend time together or give each other massages, then we usually do a 1:1 CBD:THC blend joint. This really helps Bianca to unwind and loosen up, which is enjoyable for me too. I usually have to confiscate her phone to keep her off Instagram though.
What does living in High Vibration mean to you?
B: Living in high vibration means to use the knowledge, tools and resources available to do our best to care for and love ourselves. Respecting our body by only putting the very best of all inputs in and minimizing the toxin load. Prioritizing mental wellness, moving our body, getting enough rest and expanding our mind and maintaining connections with those we love.
T: Not just maintaining a positive mental attitude but being aware of and utilizing the darkness for personal growth. As someone who has dealt with depression for an extended time, I will admit that I go through my ups and downs. Doing your best to exude positivity, coming from a place of unconditional love, compassion, and empathy, helps to keep my vibe high. You have to be selfish to be selfless, so you have to put the time and energy into taking care of yourself before you can help others. For me this care for myself means eating healthy, getting enough sleep, taking my customized DNA supplements, infrared sauna, sound healing on my VibroAcoustic Sound Lounge, and of course daily use of Society’s Plant CBD hemp smokes.
We would like to offer HiVi readers can get an exclusive discount of 30% off Society’s Plant hemp flower and CBD teas. Be sure to use code HiVi30 at checkout. Enjoy!
