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Anxiety workshops hosted by LBCC

Matthew Walker
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Anxiety workshops hosted by LBCC

“How are you feeling today,” asked by Daisy Cook during the second of three stress management workshops hosted by LBCC.

The second workshop taught about the “cycle of anxiety, unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and help identify a healthier more balanced perspective.”

The workshop was hosted by Daisy Cook, a Mental Health Clinician trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

“For everyone, it can be different,” Cook said, when asked about the most important factor in dealing with stress, “It’s really about what they feel is important.”

Cook hosts the workshop as an open space for everyone at LBCC, working to spread ways to lose the stigma around being open about our stress and anxiety

Cook began the workshop by going over the importance of comfort in a workshop like this, asking students to feel comfortable leaving or stepping away whenever they feel like it.

After this introduction, the workshop transitioned to discussing and recapping the topics went over in the first workshop

During the workshop, students were asked to feel open about discussing their feelings, with the ability to unmute and speak at any time, or simply send in chat if they feel more comfortable with that instead.

The focus of the second workshop was on the cycle of anxiety, with the components of the cycle being thinking, feeling, and doing.

This was followed by an exercise about this cycle, with students asked to write down different emotions and feelings they felt in a previous experience, with the writings not being shared aloud.

The last part of the meeting was to read aloud a number of positive assertions to make it evident that they are possible.

Some of the assertions included “Stop, and breathe, I can do this,” “These are just feelings, it will get better,” and “I can use my coping skills and get through this.”

“We need to normalize it,” Cook said “Acknowledging we all need help and that it’s ok to not be ok.”

The third and final of the workshops will be held Wednesday, at 11 am to 12 pm, focusing on “an introduction of mindfulness in which mindfulness exercises will be practiced.”

LBCC infielder, Matthew Pinal wins South Coast Conference Player of the Year

Frederick Iwuagwu
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LBCC infielder, Matthew Pinal wins South Coast Conference Player of the Year

Appearing in 18 games this season, with 170 at-bats, 39 runs scored, and three home runs this season Long Beach City College baseball team pitcher and infielder, Matthew Pinal, was named South Coast Conference Player of the Year. 

Pinal’s favorite part about competing and being out on the field is when his team secures a win. His strengths are being a hard worker and having the ability to get along with people well, creating good chemistry with his teammates.

Pinal is from Southgate and attended Cerritos high school. He is a right handed pitcher as well as an infielder who has played baseball for the majority of his life.

“My parents forced me to play when I was little,” Pinal said, “I played a year of basketball and that was it, but they would only let me play baseball so I kind of just stuck to it.”

Pinal said he has learned during his baseball career that you, “don’t take things for granted because in baseball there have been games where we have given up nine runs in the eighth inning and we lost that game when we should have won by like six.”

“I’m hoping to just keep playing and see how far I can take it,” Pinal said, “I’d like to go pro if I can.”

Pinal has pitched in 64.2 innings this season and averages 9.6 strikeouts per game. He has a total of 69 strikeouts for this season.

Coach Casey Crooks is proud of Pinal and his team for overcoming the challenges of this season with several of their players succumbing to injuries.

“We hit a good weekly routine of ‘here’s the things we are going to work on, so these are the things that are important, keep focusing on these things, and never give up’” Crooks said, “I think the motivation mostly comes from the consistency of how we do our work and what our expectations are.”

LBCC’s baseball program has helped Pinal develop into a better player by allowing him to grow as his own person and as a player while continuing with his style of play.

Pinal is most proud of the fact that he is still playing baseball. He hasn’t experienced any injuries that would be threatening during his baseball career thus far and is hoping one day to go pro.

His advice to people who might want to start playing baseball is to, “do it, because it’s never too late, I know people in their sixties who still play.”

LBCC announces a new partnership pathway

Matthew Walker
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LBCC announces a new partnership pathway

Long Beach City College announces a new partnership with one of the top 10 universities in the nation for undergraduate education.

This program was designed to help LBCC students with the transfer progress while minimizing the risks the progress can have.

Arizona State University, with over 130 majors, has opened their doors to LBCC students who are interested in attending in the future.

Students are able to experience a guaranteed general admission with the major of their choice as long as completing the requirements for a bachelor degree.

This pathway was created to help students save money and time, as well as verifying that the courses they need for transfer are being taken.

‘MyPath2ASU’ is the platform where students can navigate the in person and online pathways that are offered at ASU.

We are now one of the few colleges that have pathways with ASU in the area.

“They have been working with us for the past year now wanting to bring this pathway with us, things got turned upside down because of the pandemic but now that we are getting our bearings in terms of context with the university, they reached out to us again to see if we could finalize the pathway,” said Ruben Page, a transfer coordinator and counselor.

The things they are looking for to guarantee admission is completion of an associate’s degree, a GPA of a 2.5, and completion of 24 or more transferable units and verification of a high school diploma.

“I think it’s a great option and it gives us a different type of pipeline cause usually community colleges have the pipeline or transfer agreements it’s usually most likely a California school, so for them to establish something with ASU with a LA campus still being ASU can be beneficial to students,” said Chardanay Crowder, a former ASU counselor now at LBCC.

ASU also has a local campus here in downtown Los Angeles, where students can have a hybrid experience.

There will be success coaches at the ASL local campus where they will be able to get resources and workshops.

Since the pathway is now official, there will be informational workshops hosted in the summer for those students who are interested in transferring to ASU.

Photo Gallery: Abortion activists protest at CSULB against the Roe v. Wade draft opinion

Craig Roberts
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Photo Gallery: Abortion activists protest at CSULB against the Roe v. Wade draft opinion

Tensions have been running high as a result of the Supreme Court’s recent draft leak to overturn Roe v. Wade, which were reflected on the California State University of Long Beach’s campus on Thursday, May 5 with protestors chanting explicit vocabulary.

A crowd gathered at the Go Beach sign on West Campus Drive and Beach Drive, just outside Brotman Hall with a clear message. Which was that the Supreme Court had gone too far.

The protest began with familiarizing the crowd with the chants and general message they wanted to deliver, their anger reflected with the explicit language the signs contained.

Jennifer Chavez rallied the crowd in support of Roe v. Wade at CSULB outside of Brotman Hall on May 5, 2022. Photo by Craig Roberts.

Chavez was one of the main leaders and organizers of the event who wanted to get more than just students but the whole community in on this issue.

She succeeded in this to a degree as there were some older folks from around the community and city as a whole attending.

Siblings Briana (left) and Laura (right) Krank, joined students in their protest at CSULB on May 5 and plan on attending as many protests as possible. Photo by Craig Roberts.

After about 30 minutes of preparation and waiting for more stragglers to join, they began their march through campus with what felt like an angry yet passionate attitude.

Protestors made their way through the campus from West Campus Drive and Beach Drive in a loop at CSULB. The protest went through the heart of the campus, going past the college of science, several lecture halls, and main areas where students gathered. Photo by Craig Roberts.

When they looped back around, they picked up the tempo and moved from the sidewalks to the streets.

Protestors took over West Campus Drive at CSULB on May 5, 2022 to demonstrate their anger with the Supreme Court draft to overturn Roe v. Wade. Photo by Craig Roberts.

The procession went down Beach Drive, past the Student Health Services building all while chanting things such as “Hey hey, ho ho, the supreme court has got to go”.

Apparently the student health services center wasn’t aware of the demonstration as one of the nurses, Raul Barriga, was surprised when asked about the demonstration before it began.

“Didn’t know anything about this. Definitely not here, I can tell you that much,” Barriga said.

Beach Drive at CSULB on May 5, 2022 saw protestors delivering their message in support of Roe v. Wade in light of the draft opinion to overturn the landmark case. Photo by Craig Roberts.

Continuing, they went around the corner onto Earl Warren Drive past the dorms before turning back toward Brotman Hall. They had one more stop though, the College of Business. 

Earl Warren Drive at CSULB was but one leg of the march against the Supreme Court draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade on May 5, 2022. Photo by Craig Roberts.
Sheila Bates, who is part of Black Lives Matter and regularly represents the cause in Long Beach, spoke at the protest and took part in the march. Here, she overlooked the demonstration in front of the College of Business at CSULB on May 5, 2022.

The crowd then made their way back to the Go Beach sign where more speakers presented what they had on their minds while others promoted their platform. Some were very professional, others not so much.

The protest started to die down around 5:15 p.m. and fully concluded shortly after. The general attitude and outtake at the end was that the day was a success as the crowd cheered several times while finishing up.

LBCC performing arts center presents all women’s play “The Wolves”

Maisie Vilchis
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LBCC performing arts center presents all women’s play “The Wolves”

The play “The Wolves” became a finalist in 2017 for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This is Sara Delappe’s first play she has ever written, and this year Long Beach City College Performing Arts Center will be putting on an all-women cast for it. 

This play centers around a high school soccer team that centers around nine teenage girls that have conversations and gossip during their pre-game soccer warm-ups each week on Saturday mornings. The set is in an indoor soccer facility set somewhere in suburban America.

In this story, the teenage girls go through a load of problems that help them discover their own personal identity while being a part of a team.

Director Heather Milan gives direction to the cast of “The Wolves” during dress rehearsal on May 10, one week before live performances. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)

All the girls in “The Wolves” agreed that they really resonate with the play because the characters’ interactions with each other are so natural and fluid. “It was like watching myself,” Caroline Wolf said.

“There are not many roles out there for females to be just who they are, usually you have to be someone’s girlfriend or a sex object, but here we get to be athletes,” Tijera Giddens-Byers said. 

Everyone has put in extensive hours for this performance and they are feeling pretty confident but nervous since it is a live event.

“It’s not very often that we get scripts that are an all-women cast, most plays are men lead cast and only sprinkled with one or two lead female roles,” Director Heather Milam said. 

(left to Right) Kellie Harden, Lyra Murillo, and Taylor Racero doing their weekly stretches for their soccer warm-ups in the play, during dress rehearsal on May 10, one week before live performances. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)

Overall the cast said it was pretty easy to memorize lines because of all the hours they had to put in. They felt repetition to be key in the process.

“All us girls are so different from each other, that doing this play together created a strong bond and friendship with us all, that we will take this with us in the future,” Kellie Harden said. 

General admission is $15.00 but students, seniors, and staff with ID will receive a $5.00 discount and there will be free parking in lots E & F.

This performance will be running between May 19 – 22,  Thursday – Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m., and two daytime performances at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at LBCC Auditorium.

Fashion Club students host pop-up boutique

The Viking News
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Fashion Club students host pop-up boutique

The Long Beach City College Fashion Club sold their student-designed upcycled wares outside the Viking Bakery Tuesday and Wednesday morning, while promoting values of sustainability in fashion design, drawing passersby, and even LBCC President Mike Munoz dropped in to help fund the club. 

The pop-up was open Tuesday, May 10, and Wednesday, May 11, outside the Viking Bakery from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Totebags for sale at the Fashion Club pop-up on 10 May, 2022 were designed and printed by students in the Fashion Promotion class. The bags were made with 100% organic cotton, which uses significantly less water and energy than synthetic textiles. (Photo by Sean Davis)

Put together by the Fashion Club and featuring the designs and sewing work by students in the Fashion Promotion class, the pop-up shop’s wares were influenced by the chosen theme of reuse and upcycling, the practice of repurposing used materials to create something else of high quality.

“We collectively chose the theme to support sustainability practices and we ran with ‘Boro’ once we researched the process and materials,” said Mindy Ngo, Fashion Club member.

Boro is a centuries-old Japanese textile practice of using old, used materials to create new, patchwork designs and products.

The LBCC Fashion Club pop-up shop produced Boro pouches using recycled and reused materials, fitting their sustainability theme. The shop featured goods produced by student club members sold on 10 May, 2022. (Photo by Sean Davis)

However, there are positives and negatives to a fashion designer reusing existing materials.

“I find it liberating, especially personally finishing products that are unique in their own way,” Ngo said. “But it can be somewhat constraining too, since (the material) may not be my ideal choice. It’s nice to have variety and choices.” 

“And ‘Boro’ is very niche, but it’s been done for hundreds and hundreds of years,”  said Maria Moreira, another Fashion Club member.

The LBCC Fashion Club offered products from pins to tote bags, dog bandanas to Boro pouches at their pop-up shop on 10 May, 2022. Items were produced using upcycled or reused materials. (Photo by Sean Davis)

With Ernie the Earth, a student-designed informal mascot for the pop-up featured throughout the shop, issues of environmental responsibility can be deeply tied to how fashion design is produced.

“Students are showing interest in sustainable fashion,” Bryant said, “Hemp fabric is coming back. We discuss synthetic materials, which are produced using fossil fuels, versus organic material.”

“We do what we can, but there are sometimes challenges with organic materials, like recycled cotton,” said Armando Avelar, a Fashion Club member, recounting issues using traditional screen printing on recycled cotton tote bags.

Student creations using upcycled materials filled the tables of the LBCC Fashion Club pop-up shop on 10 May, 2022. The theme of the shop was sustainability and resued materials. (Sean Davis)

But different technologies and techniques are making more sustainable approaches to fashion easier.

“We got a Strong Workforce grant for a direct to garment printer, which is much more sustainable and lets us print these totes with student designs,” Bryant said.

Even fashion isn’t exempt from having to rethink its practices as climate change advances and planetary health falters.

“Textile and water waste is a serious issue. The idea of repurposing materials helps a lot (to fix that),” Moreira said.

For a culture used to easy and cheap clothing options, some are beginning to question the way fashion is made.

“We are seeing that idea surfacing off social media a lot now. Research brands to see what they produce, how they produce it, and how they treat their workers,” Moreira said.

“It’s about fast fashion versus slow fashion,” Bryant agreed.

Clothesline Project at LBCC brings awareness to victims of sexual violence

Sophia Cobb
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Clothesline Project at LBCC brings awareness to victims of sexual violence

Survivors of sexual violence and supporters came together at Long Beach City College in the E-quad courtyard in honor of Denim Day on April 27 to bring awareness, educate and help with the healing process. 

Denim Day is significant because it’s about a woman’s rape charge that got overturned by an Italian Supreme Court. The court believed she must have helped take her jeans off because they were too tight. In solidarity, women came together wearing denim jeans to protest erroneous assumptions surrounding sexual violence.

Sexual assult, rape, and sexual abuse are all under the umbrella of sexual violence.

Participants designed T-shirts for the Clothesline Project and Denim Day sponsored by YWCA of Greater LA.

The Clothesline Project, working in conjunction with Denim Day, is a visual display of T-shirts made by survivors and supporters, so it may help alleviate pain and turmoil by using creativity to get the story of abuse and violence out and begin healing.

Veronica Jurado has recently just been able to open up about her own sexual violence. She said going to a couple workshops this month helped her realize that the blame is not on herself. 

“This took a lot of courage for me to open up but knowing that there are resources and support out there for me really helped,” Jurado said. 

Paula E. Ulloa Perez just learned about the event on that day and she thought it was interesting that the school is putting on this event because there needs to be more education and support for survivors. 

“I wish I knew of something like this that could have helped me out when I was a kid,” Perez said. 

The colors of the T-shirts also represent different meanings for the survivors. To name a few, pink, red, and orange represents sexual assult and rape, where blue and green means child sexual violence and incest.

Bri Pinkerton really enjoys using art as a healing method. “Doing art really helps me get out of my head,” Pinkerton said. 

Dr. Alisia Kirkwood explained, “Everybody goes through the healing process very differently, so it’s important to be patient and non-judgmental.” 

According to Rainn.org, “Every 68 seconds, an American is sexual assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.” Victims can go through emotional, psychological and physical distress. The best way to help is listening without judgment and help them find resources to cope with their pain.

Victims of sexual violence can experience an array of feelings from depression, anxiety, dissociation and even suicidal thoughts. 

One of the places survivors can go to for help is the National Sexual Assult Hotline 800-656-HOPE or to get more information, go to Rainn.org.

Photo Gallery: Abortion rights activists march in Long Beach

Sophia Cobb
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Photo Gallery: Abortion rights activists march in Long Beach

Hundreds of pro-abortion rights activists gathered in front of the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse on May 3 to speak out against the recently leaked Supreme Court draft that could potentially overturn Roe V. Wade.

The draft of the decision was leaked on May 2 to the media outlet Politico. As a response, people all over the country took to the streets in hopes that their voices may be heard by the justices of the Supreme Court.

People of all ages participated in the peaceful protest, holding signs and chanting phrases such as “They say no-choice, we say pro-choice.”

This was one of many protests in Long Beach that took place throughout the week, and it is foreseen that many more will happen in the near future.

Lynda Howard delivering a speech that displayed emotion through her mask at the peaceful Roe v. Wade rally, which was held outside of the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach. (photo by Marlon Villa)
Protesters gather together and take the streets on an emergency action to protect Roe and Abortion Rights on May 3 at George Deukmejian Courthouse Long Beach. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)
Abortion right activists marching marching together the streets of the city of Long beach starting in Magnolia Ave to Pine Ave, then continued up to 3rd St and returning to Magnolia Ave (photo by Marlon Villa)
A passerby rolls down his window, and holds out the “Rock n’ Roll” hand sign to show his support whilst driving by the abortion rights rally in front of the courthouse in Long Beach, Tuesday May 3. (Photo by Shelby Tiefenthaler)
Protesters gather together on an emergency action to protect Roe and Abortion Rights on May 3 at George Deukmejian Courthouse Long Beach. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)
Isabella Orsini displaying her “little feminist” t-shirt while running around at the peaceful Roe v. Wade rally, which was held outside of the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach. (photo by Marlon Villa)
Sheila Bates, by wearing a jacket with the words “black lives matter” she displays her support for the movement while sharing speech at the peaceful Roe v. Wade rally, which was held outside of the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach. (photo by Marlon Villa)
Young abortion rights activist jumped in on supporting the cause. He took a seat on a platform in front of the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse to raise their signs high. (Photo by Shelby Tiefenthaler)
Abortion right activists marching marching together the streets of the city of Long beach starting in Magnolia Ave to Pine Ave, then continued up to 3rd St and returning to Magnolia Ave (photo by Marlon Villa)
Randy Santiago lead protesters that gathered together in solidarity, and took the streets and marched down Broadway St. in Downtown Long Beach, on an emergency action to protect Roe and Abortion Rights, on May 3 starting at George Deukmejian Courthouse. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)
Abortion rights activists sit in front of Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse to promote their cause and raise awareness. (Photo by Shelby Tiefenthaler)
Activists for abortion rights displaying their full attention to the speakers at the peaceful Roe v. Wade rally, which was held outside of the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach. (photo by Marlon Villa)
Abortion right activists marching marching together the streets of the city of Long beach starting in Magnolia Ave to Pine Ave, then continued up to 3rd St and returning to Magnolia Ave (photo by Marlon Villa)
Protesters gather together on an emergency action to protect Roe and Abortion Rights on May 3 at George Deukmejian Courthouse Long Beach. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)
Protesters gather together and take the streets on an emergency action to protect Roe and Abortion Rights on May 3 at George Deukmejian Courthouse Long Beach. (Photo by Desary Vailencour)
Abortion rights activists chant together and raise their signs in front of Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in order to make themselves seen and heard. (Photo by Shelby Tiefenthaler)
Abortion rights activist raises her sign and fights for her rights at the rally in front of the Courthouse in downtown Long Beach on Tuesday May 3. (Photo by Shelby Tiefenthaler)

LBCC Alumni will be returning as a renowned lawyer for APID Heritage Month Kickoff events

Eli Orozco
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LBCC Alumni will be returning as a renowned lawyer for APID Heritage Month Kickoff events

LBCC alumna, Belinda Theam, Esq. is returning to campus as a renowned attorney and will be speaking for a series of APID Heritage Month kick-off events. Theam will speak on the subjects of diversity, equity, and knowing personal rights on May 10.

Theam has strong roots in Long Beach that trace back to her time as a student in the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD). 

She attended college at LBCC, then transferred to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and attained a Bachelor’s degree in political science.

At Whittier Law School, she received her Doctor of Law (J.D) in 2014. 

Theam currently serves the Long Beach community as a managing attorney at Nguyen Lawyers, ALC.

In 2019, California State Assembly member for the 70th District, Patrick O’Donnell selected Theam as a Woman of Distinction, for her contributions to the city of Long Beach. 

Although she grew up in Long Beach, her story begins with her parents who lived in Cambodia. At the time, the country had experienced a civil war and was under a dictatorship by the Khmer Rouge that lasted four years. 

Her family had to leave the country for a better life. Along the way, her father passed away at a refugee camp in the Philippines. 

For the majority of her life, Theam was raised by her single mother.

At 14, Theam’s mother passed away, which led to a lengthy legal process in order for her older brother to become her legal guardian, who was only 21 at the time.

Theam was a freshman in high school when her mother passed away. She found it difficult to stay focused in school and struggled to keep her grades up.

“I was mad at the world,” Theam said.

During her senior year, a conversation with a counselor led to her attending LBCC. “I decided I wanted to plan for the future,” Theam said. 

Her experiences of being in the system during her guardianship case made her realize she wanted to become a lawyer. 

Theam took the steps necessary to achieve her goal, but in law school, she experienced culture shock and imposter syndrome.

“I was one of three Asians in a class out of 200 students,” Theam said. In the beginning, she felt out of place and inferior.

Finding a support group helped crush any feelings of imposter syndrome.

Even though she found ways to reassure herself after finishing law school, Theam still had to deal with working in a predominantly white male field. 

However, Theam found a way to feel confident and not be scared to question authority. She hopes her experiences can help someone who is dealing with the same type of feelings she had when growing up. 

She hopes to connect with students who are looking for a career in law school, but may fear not fitting in or questioning authority. Revisiting her old stomping grounds is a way to give back.

Amy La, the mental health clinician at LBCC, is one of the committee members organizing the event and arranged for Theam to be a speaker this semester.

“We (Long Beach) have the largest Cambodian population in the U.S., I hope her background and story can help students feel like they can make it too,” La said. 

Belinda Theam will be speaking on May 10 at the Liberal Arts campus in room P-134 at 11 AM.

 For more information visit, https://www.lbcc.edu/post/apid-heritage-month-events 

Opinion: Long Beach’s cannabis industry needs to build community

Eduardo Gomez
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Opinion: Long Beach’s cannabis industry needs to build community

Long Beach has grown to become a place of opportunity for cannabis businesses and entrepreneurs. However, the legalization of recreational use has caused a lack of community-building, a mantra the industry firmly believes in.

It comes as no surprise that historically, the perception of cannabis culture has been negative. 

To this day, a new dispensary opening up in any neighborhood usually tends to get pushback from the community, including obstacles like the tight restrictions on how cannabis businesses can market themselves.

As a response to these setbacks, the industry used the practice of community-building events to gain customers and build relationships with locals.

Long Beach is in a unique position to create a booming cannabis industry. Unlike other cities in LA county, Long Beach has its own social equity program and resources that are available for Long Beach residents.

Yet, many in the industry in Long Beach have complained about the lack of communication among city officials, the city attorney’s cannabis program, and businesses.

On April 28, Workforce Development and the city attorney’s office hosted a cannabis job fair in Long Beach. Those who attended saw a low turnout.

Long Beach lacks community-building events that are meant for everyone and not just those interested in the cannabis industry.

On April 20, many cannabis businesses had events and sales celebrating a famous “stoner” holiday called ‘420’.

This surge of events proved that businesses are capable of hosting events regularly on a smaller scale. 

In Los Angeles, a creative agency called ‘Hazy LA’ has created a positive impact in the past few months by continuously putting on events that are free and open to anyone who is over the age of 21. 

Wrestlers, Biago Crescenzo and El Primohenio Tribeca, interacting with the crowd during a 6-man tag team match at Mota Mania on April 20. (Photo by Eli Orozco)

For ‘420’ celebrations, they invited brands like Kanha, Dripp, Pabst, and Luchador. Hazy LA hosted a live wrestling match for the community to enjoy at a dispensary called People’s, which is located in Downtown Los Angeles.

The celebration, called Mota Mania, was well thought out and the layout of the event encompassed the rich Latino culture surrounding the dispensary. 

They invited a street fruit vendor and Telemundo, a Spanish-speaking TV station, to the event and marketed it in a way that focused on the large Latino community surrounding the dispensary.

This is what Long Beach cannabis businesses lack when it comes to community-building. Businesses are forgetting who surrounds their community and what their needs are.

There is a disconnect between the community and the cannabis industry, which is a sad reality for many who have been in the cannabis industry since ‘Prop 64 days’.

‘Prop 64 days’ is a loose term that is used by the industry to refer to the time period before recreational use of cannabis was legalized. People who worked in that time period of the industry are referred to as ‘OGs’.

Michelle Rivera, a brand representative for Heavy Hitters, is an OG in the industry.

When asked about how she felt about cannabis businesses engaging in community events, Rivera said, “When I saw [dispensary owner] putting in work for the community, it made me want to do anything for him and his store.”

Rivera is a prime example of OGs seeing how the industry has recently been putting fewer efforts into community-building and more focus on sales.

Perhaps, Long Beach needs creative groups like Hazy LA to bring back the mantra of community-first, or key players in the city need to start communicating better.

The cannabis industry is still in its infancy, but there’s a real need for creative minds to serve this dire need for community-building.

For more information on future Hazy LA events like Mota Mania, visit https://www.hazy.la/connect

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