At age 16, Kevin Strayline was diagnosed with a condition called essential tremor, which he describes as “a neurological condition without a lot of research,” especially in regard to Cannabis. It affects his life in ways that “nobody would really realize,” such as shaky hands. Cannabis brings him relief and helps mitigate the day-to-day struggles brought on by his condition. Through it all, Kevin has remained a beam of light in the industry and projects that energy onto the patients he serves every day in the dispensary. At the end of the day, Kevin loves weed and what it can do for people. Follow him on Instagram (@americanwitchdr).
What are the most fulfilling aspects of your job?
Getting to help people with their ailments on a daily basis is something I have always wanted to do. Knowing that I get to come to work and genuinely do a service for the world is what I look forward to most. When people come back into the store after I recommend a product to them and tell me it worked, that’s what it’s all about
When did you start using Cannabis and how has it shifted?
I’ve been smoking weed since I was 13, and I’m approaching 30 now, so a lot of time has passed. I come from New Jersey and when I lived there it was still illegal at the time like it was in Maryland.
When I moved from New Jersey to Delaware, Cannabis was legalized in New Jersey so I was kicking myself saying, wow, this is terrible. Then, when Maryland legalized Cannabis recreationally, I saw a career path for myself. I finally followed my dream to work with Cannabis and it’s crazy how much it’s changed from something I had to hide to something I do for a living; it’s very fulfilling. This is what I do.
What are your goals in the Cannabis industry?
I love being a budtender, but I’ve always wanted to do more than that. I have lots of ideas in my back pocket for brands, and more specifically, an edible line using RSO. It would be a dream to bring the right people together to form a brand and create a legacy.
What are some of your hobbies?
I make music in my spare time. I’m a rapper and a DJ, which is something I’ve been doing since I was 15 years old in New Jersey. I used to DJ at lots of different places around the Jersey Shore, and a couple of friends got me on the mic one day, and it took off from there. I have a studio at home where I record, mix, and master everything myself. I’m working on a track called ‘Going Crazy,’ which I hope to release in January when my story comes out.
How is the Cannabis scene in New Jersey different from that of Maryland?
It’s somewhat similar in terms of brands, but I think Maryland has the best Cannabis program on the East Coast. Prices are good, access is good, and dispos aren’t as busy because the population isn’t quite as dense. I feel like you can find dispensaries in Maryland where budtenders take the time to educate you, whereas Jersey is more fast-paced. Maryland is more akin to West Coast vibes in terms of education.
Is your family accepting of Cannabis?
Big time — my dad is the reason I smoke weed. My dad and I have been smoking weed together since I was about 16. It’s never been something I had to hide, and my parents would rather know I’m doing it safely at home than going out, getting in trouble, or buying it from people I shouldn’t have been. When I think about where I’m at now, I think my parents did everything right.
