A Mini Moment With: Hayley Dineen, Cannabis Entrepreneur

For pretty much forever, it was damn near impossible to find smoking accessories that didn't look totally cringe-y or bro-y. That is, until Sackville & Co entered the picture. With their sculptural gold grinders, shiny mini pipes, and pretty rolling papers, the four-year-old Canadian brand is one of the few out there making accessories you would actually be proud to leave out on your coffee table or bookshelf. Which makes sense: co-founders Lana van Brunt and Hayley Dineen both worked in luxury product development and experiential marketing before launching the brand.

Here, Dineen shares her tips for getting the most of your cannabis experience, beating muscle spasms, and how to not waste time doing things you don't like.

When and how did you first meet weed?
Weed and I first met in the basement of my best friend's house in high school. We raided her mom's fridge freezer and cried laughing over pizza bagels. It was memorable.

When did you first realize cannabis could be an enhancement to your life? 
I think everyone who has a long term relationship with cannabis has had that relationship evolve and change overtime. 

I have had many good times and lots of laughs with cannabis recreationally; I also became a medical consumer a few years ago when I was plagued with debilitating muscle spasms. (Hot tip: THC is antispasmodic, which is why it helps with menstrual cramps.) I was prescribed morphine and other heavy pain killers, which I wasn’t into, and was able to use cannabis to manage my pain effectively. It definitely gave me more perspective on the healing benefits of the plant and its medicinal value. These days I am more of a recreational consumer; I love having a joint with friends or chilling at home at the end of the night.

What’s your current consumption ritual?
When I have the time, I love to smoke a joint, take a long bath, and listen to a meditation. But for the most part, my real ritual looks more like a joint at the end of a long day, hanging out with my husband on the couch and binge watching a series—currently we are in deep on Alone on the History channel.

What’s a new habit from the last year that you don’t see yourself abandoning any time soon?
I personally love working from home. I love splitting up my day with a walk around my neighborhood, taking the time to make my lunch, or popping out to my local shops. I also got more into cooking during the pandemic and I’m really enjoying it.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, business-related or otherwise?Life is short. Do what you like and stop doing what you don’t.

I think that we have all stayed too long at bad jobs, bad relationships, or paths that we knew weren’t a fit. If something isn’t aligned, cut your losses and move on to things that actually light you up. It’s equally true in business; don’t be afraid to pivot or try something in a new direction if you aren’t feeling inspired by what you're creating.

"I think that we have all stayed too long at bad jobs, bad relationships, or paths that we knew weren’t a fit. If something isn’t aligned, cut your losses and move on to things that actually light you up."

What do you wish more people knew about weed? What’s the one stigma you wish would go away?
Your experience is so individual. Two people will experience the same strain or method of consumption differently. There's no one-size-fits-all model—it all has to do with your personal endocannabinoid system and how different cannabinoids (CBD, THC, CBN, etc.) interact with your body.

I wish people would drop the stigma around THC. Often, THC is framed as not as beneficial as other cannabinoids—a lot of the time there is a false binary between CBD being good and wellness-focused and THC being wild and bad. That’s just a lack of understanding about how cannabinoids affect you. Depending on what you're looking for from the plant, different cannabinoids can bring out different experiences, and THC has a lot to offer.

"I wish people would drop the stigma around THC. Often, THC is framed as not as beneficial as other cannabinoids—there is a false binary between CBD being good and wellness-focused and THC being wild and bad." 

What are your tips for getting the most of any cannabis experience?
Be intentional. Try to read the label when you try a new strain and see what the make up of cannabinoids and terpenes are. The more you start to recognize what makes up the strain you're consuming, the more you’ll be able to cater your experience to what you're looking for.

For example, I love a low THC high CBD joint when I am writing or doing creative projects; I like that for me it's not too much of a heady high. 

What do you do to stay centered? Do you have a mantra, ritual, or practice you consistently return to?
I try to meditate at least a few times a week. I love Lacy Phillips and I follow her To Be Magnetic meditations. I try to go on a good walk at least once during the day. Being outside and listening to music or just thinking helps me feel less mentally cluttered. 

What’s a book you’ve read that changed your perspective?
I love to read so it's hard to pick just one, but here are a few I have loved: History of Love by Nicole Krauss; it's just a really sensitive look at the human experience. I also loved Three Women by Lisa Taddeo and Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari, is an obvious stand out on having perspective about our time on the planet.  

If you had a billboard, what would you want it to say?
"Take care of yourself." Sometimes we all need reminders. Or, "Your time is valuable. Don’t spend it on things you don’t want."