Mrs. Hardy 420!: Educator Spotlight: Jared Jolly Herman

Educator Jared smoking on a preroll

Jared lights up with a smile reflecting on how far we've come.

Jared traveled from one coast to the other to be a part of the legal cannabis movement.

The byproducts of cannabis legalization have been incredible– from the positive impact on opioid addiction to a whole new industry full of jobs for average Americans. Educator Jared came to Washington State to be a part of it. He grew up in a military family, traveled a long list of places, and found his people among the cannabis community. He’s a classic storyteller happy to share his adventures and tales.

Jared is from St. Augustine, Florida and the proud father of two twin girls. Having been a long time supporter of cannabis, when the legislation surrounding cannabis legalization started to take shape on the West Coast he knew he had to go and give it a shot. “As soon as the qualifications regarding licensing started to roll out I remember thinking someone needs to move, someone needs to do this now.” There was no reason that ‘someone’ couldn’t be Jared. He packed up and relocated to Washington State.

A true old school smoker, Jared still prefers flower over concentrates.

“As soon as the qualifications regarding licensing started to roll out I remember thinking someone needs to move, someone needs to do this now.”

Given the choice, he’ll take his flower packed in a bowl, dry pipe, glass only please. What does he usually choose to smoke on? Jared wouldn’t say he’s really got an all time favorite strain. “I couldn’t even say. That’s a good question.” The flavor of the moment was easier to find an answer for. (Although he didn’t necessarily want to admit it right away!) “The Wedding Cake by Exotikz for right now. I’ve bought it four times in a row. I never buy things like four times in a row.” A very stoned educator Jared laughed at his own answer, citing that it’s so trendy right now but it’s “actually really good!!”

A natural extrovert, Jared has no problem connecting to people; particularly those in the cannabis culture. Jared loves to make references to the cannabis and music scene that he’s so deeply connected to. He has loads of stories from his days of following Phish and The Grateful Dead around on tour. His outgoing and approachable nature is something that easily translates to the inside of an Evergreen Market store. Educator Jared has an uncanny ability to turn complete strangers into old friends.

“I remember the first time an educator asked me a question and I was so excited that I knew the answer. That first question got me stoked.”

Outside of The Evergreen Market Jared has his hands full with taking care of his daughters. He admit’s that it doesn’t leave him much time for a whole lot else. In addition to turning his passion for cannabis into a profession, Jared has been able to make an honest living helping people improve their quality of life with cannabis. “I used to go to concerts all the time and that was my thing, but since I’ve moved here I’ve really taken parenting and cannabis as my two main focus’.” Jared is preparing to move into a house, which is a serious mark of progress and stability for someone from a state where cannabis is not yet legalized.

One of the early connections Jared made within the 502 cannabis realm was Mad Mark Seegmueller. Mark hired Jared to work at his Enumclaw farm and showed him a little bit about the legal cannabis industry. When I asked educator Jared if he had a mentor within the industry Mark was a natural answer to the question. “He took me into his farm, let me trim, and be a part of the process. He really engages when I ask questions and [he] encourages me to push my knowledge.” Mark has made himself a leader within our industry. (For more about Mark and Mad Mark Farms check out our blog about him by clicking here!)

Evergreen Market happily added Jared to their staff, shortly after that he was introduced to the Educator position. “I remember the first time an educator asked me a question and I was so excited that I knew the answer. That first question got me stoked. It was about heirloom and landrace. That just stoked me for the next [educator position] opening.” Since becoming an educator Jared has taken every opportunity to engage his peers with furthering their own cannabis knowledge as well as challenging to expand his own. “I knew when I got here I just wanted to learn more and more.”

Educator Jared still works on expanding his cannabis knowledge everyday

“I knew when I got here I just wanted to learn more and more.”

The future of cannabis is an exciting topic to discuss with Jared. It’s easy to see that from his perspective the possibilities are endless for where cannabis can go. Innovations within the industry light up the bright future that Jared can imagine. “The new stuff that everybody’s coming out with like the isolates and everything that hasn’t really been done. Since I started [in the industry] there’s been so much I never thought about– the isolation of cannabinoids and terpenes for example. People are coming up with cannabinoid specific isolates and vials of terpenes that you can buy.”

Terpenes are the muse for another direction of legal cannabis that Jared is excited for, but legislation is a little behind on. “The merging of cannabis with the culinary arts is going to be crazy. The merging of two markets that hasn’t been allowed to happen yet.” Terpenes being the property that gives cannabis it’s notable smell and taste therefore they could be the perfect variable to introduce to food and drink.

Like many employees from out of state, Jared would like to see legalization back home. More specifically, he would like to see The Evergreen Market open a store in Florida. “Cannabis is going worldwide here soon. I don’t know where the lines are gonna be drawn and who’s going to participate and who’s not, but it looks like the wheels are flying down the train track and they’re not gonna stop anytime soon.” Educator Jared has complete certainty that he has signed on to the winning team. “The Evergreen Market expanding in different states– I see them pushing the boundaries in the public realm. I see a world market that’s going to be trading and selling and we’re going to be at the beginning of it. We’re gonna be the top.”

Educator Jared can't wait for the future of cannabis

“Cannabis is going worldwide here soon. I don’t know where the lines are gonna be drawn and who’s going to participate and who’s not, but it looks like the wheels are flying down the train track and they’re not gonna stop anytime soon.”

Written by: Nikki Marangon

Remember,

Your Journey Starts Here.