Calling Palmer home since she was a toddler, Jessica Brevard is into hanging out with her dog and working on stained glass in her free time. You’ll find her out and about soaking in the beauty of nature while scouring for agates and sea glass when it’s warm, and riding a snowboard when the Alaskan winter arrives.
You’ve recently reached the legal age to consume Cannabis and you’re already working on the front lines of the industry. Was this something you’d been aspiring toward for a while?
Oh yes, I got my handler’s card on my 21st birthday! Sarah and Jennifer, the owners of Country Cannabis, have been friends with my mother since I was seven years old, and when they started getting into this business, I found myself very interested. This is an industry I’ve wanted to get into for a long time because of the health benefits and for many other reasons, so it made sense to go to people I look up to for guidance.
I understand you still live at home. Do you ever catch flack when you sit down to the dinner table smelling like terps?
My dad was killed in Iraq serving in the United States Army in 2007, so I just live with my mom. She’s never been a smoker and although she never really wanted to admit it, I’m pretty sure she knew I smoked before my big birthday. She’s coming around, though, because with the help of Sarah and Jen, we’ve got her using edibles and she really likes it.
Deep respect for your father. Do you think he would approve of your working in this business?
Now that it’s legal and I’m doing the right thing, I definitely think he would approve because it’s making me happy.
What level of happiness does budtending bring to your life?
A very high level. I’ve had a ton of jobs and this one is by far my favorite. A job is great when you wake up in the morning and don’t dread having to go punch a clock somewhere. With every past job I’ve had that was always the case and with budtending, that is never an issue. I’m always excited to go to work, there is never a dull moment – I absolutely love it. I fit right in.
Now that summer is here, what plans do you have for the great Alaskan outdoors?
I’m gonna go picking blueberries and do the usual mushroom hunting–foraging in general. I like looking for stuff.
Have you ever found a stray weed plant in the forest?
Not yet. I better someday!!
