DaySavers Awards $25K in Higher Potential Scholarships to Aspiring Cannabis Professionals

Leading pre-roll cone manufacturer DaySavers last week awarded approximately $25,000 worth of scholarships and other support to aspiring cannabis professionals through its Higher Potential Scholarship program. Selectees will each receive valuable support for their career development, with awards including tuition-free attendance at collegiate cannabis education courses, executive mentorship, and sponsored attendance at industry events nationwide.

James Valentine, DaySavers’ communications and content marketing manager, also serves as the administrator for the Higher Potential Scholarship. In a written interview, he shared the importance of supporting cannabis-specific education for aspiring cannabis professionals.

“Knowledge is power, and especially in a booming industry that can be looked at as taboo, that knowledge and expertise are necessary to break the longstanding misconceptions people have about cannabis,” Valentine tells IgniteIt. “And that knowledge and experience come through education, access, experience, and professional development.”

DaySavers’ Higher Potential Scholarship is supported by 25 brands from across the cannabis industry, including cultivators, creators, educators, advocates, policymakers, scientists, researchers, directors, founders, and executives. Together, they provided educational, financial, and professional development awards valued at over $25,000.

“This is a really cool program that helps provide support to people at different stages of their cannabis careers,” says Garrett Rudolph, Marijuana Venture editor in chief. “I love that it’s focused on education and mentorship and will definitely lead to a stronger industry in the future.”

Scholarship Winners Announced

DaySavers announced the winners of the Higher Potential Scholarship program on October 15. The program honored more than 85 award winners from 30 states, including Talia Romero of Winton, California, who was selected to receive the $1,420 cash scholarship.

Other top prize winners include:

• Michael Miller of Finland, Minnesota, was awarded a tuition-free seat to SUNY Niagara’s cannabis courses.
• Hannah Eko of La Puente, California, and Alex Pressley of Ocala, Florida, were awarded tuition-free seats to the Ganjier Product Specialist program.
• Kari Boiter of Billings, Montana, was awarded a media package, consulting services and mentorship from Cannabis & Tech Today.
• Michelle McDonald of Storrs, Connecticut, was awarded a mentorship with the Cannabis Ombudsman for the State of Connecticut.
• Ashley Chapdelaine of Manchester, New Hampshire, and Freweyni Abrha of Princess Anne, Maryland, were awarded mentorships with scientists at the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy.
• Lauren Bratcher of Cave City, Kentucky, was awarded tickets to MJBizCon.
• Alexandra Arnett of Fresno, California, was awarded a mentorship and media package from Marijuana Venture magazine.
• Delaney Borrelli of Orlando, Florida, was awarded a membership to Women Employed in Cannabis.
• Jackson Rund of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, was awarded a one-on-one entrepreneurial advisement from The Mycelia Group.

Other Higher Potential Scholarship recipients received:

• Education & Resources: Tuition-free seats in cannabis programs from Operator Academy, Green CulturED, Veterinary Cannabis Society, and resources from Sage Advice, Women Employed in Cannabis, and CannaSiteCo.
• Mentorship: One-on-one developmental mentorships and experiences with industry leaders Dr. Miyabe Shields and Dr. Riley Kirk (co-founders of Network of Applied Pharmacognosy), Harrison Bard and Fredrik Rading (co-founders of Custom Cones USA), Jessica Ferranti (founder & CEO of The Mycelia Group), Erin Kirk, Esq. (Connecticut Cannabis Ombudsman), Ashley Manta (creator of CannaSexual), Trinity Madison (founder & CEO of Camp Laughing Grass), Ishqa Hillman (founder & host of The Canna Boss Babes), and M. Omari Jackson (founder & CEO of Ganjactivist).
• Industry Access: Event access and editorial opportunities through Marijuana Venture, Cannabis & Tech Today, NECANN, IgniteIt Cannabis, CannaCon, The Cannabis Alliance, Fill-a Blunts, and Smoke Temple.

“There is nothing quite like the feeling I get helping others find their space and grow,” Hillman says in a statement to IgniteIt.

For more information, visit the Higher Potential Scholarship webpage.