In Oregon’s bustling Cannabis scene, handcrafted cannagars stand out as a unique and artisanal way to enjoy the plant on a special occasion. Few makers embody this artistry and passion better than private, custom cannagar maker Ebony G. Miles, creator of Gem Nuggets — luxurious, hand-rolled cannagars that incorporate everything from organic rose petals to 24-karat gold leaf. We met up with Ebony to hear about her journey, inspirations and the careful craft behind each Gem Nuggets creation.
Where did your path with Cannabis begin?
I use it for medicinal purposes. I actually had PTSD from something that happened in 2022 and that was when I picked up my usage.
Tell us about your partnership with Truth Dispensaries in Salem.
Last April at the Oregon Leaf Bowl, Sy Thomas from Kashmir Gardens (@kashmirgardens___official) introduced me to (the owner) Brandon DeCamp. That was my first time meeting him. By the Fourth of July, I had my first official release of cannagars at Truth (@truthdispensary.salem). Brandon will pick the flower usually, but he lets me have input as well. Nine times out of 10, Brandon’s picking the flower that I’m turning into cannagars.
What inspired you to pursue professional cannagar production?
Without my friend Dwight B. (@bigbabys_pdx), I wouldn’t be making cannagars. I’m from a small town called Canton, Ohio. When I went back to visit in 2021, Dwight was using Purple Rose Supply (@purplerosesupply) molds. He said, ‘Weed is legal in Oregon. Why don’t you make cannagars and sell them?’ When I came back to Oregon, I started doing my research, rolling up and carrying some around with me at all times.
Then I met Ryan Rollins, the late owner of PDX Sliders (@pdxsliders) in 2022. He greeted me with a friendly question about the box of cannagars I was carrying. He immediately bought an entire case, becoming my first major supporter. Later, I learned he had passed away before I could show him my new rose gold cannagars. Now, whenever I stock them in stores, I dedicate them to Ryan. You can ask for the “RR,” “The Ryan,” or the “Cheeseburger Special.”
Tell us about the roses you roll up with!
There’s a woman-owned company called Royal Rose PDX (@royalrosepdx) — she offers organic rose petals that come from a local Portland flower market and has the process of pressing them and vacuum sealing them. Then I have a process I do before I can wrap them on the cannagars.
Can you share a bit about your rolling process?
I leave it in the mold overnight. Then I pop it out of the mold, wrap it, pop in a custom tip by @omarrolledit and let it cure in a humidor. It’s a two to three-day process. I used to use wood tips, but I just transitioned to using glass tips. They smoke differently. People like them because you can reuse them.
Do you have any exciting cannagars or farm collaborations lined up?
Toad Venom has been in talks with Evans Creek. I also want to get something going with Brave Hearts. I’ve yet to do an infused cannagar, so I told them I’m picking up some of that Steamer Lane since I already have the flower at home. I’m going to make the first infused one, let Brave test it out and then go from there.
What other creative outlets do you find yourself exploring?
I have an apparel brand called Something Is Everywhere, Everywhere Is Something (@sie8eis), and I’m releasing a new design for Valentine’s Day. It’s my first official logo, and I’ll have shirts and sweatshirts printed by Oregon Screen Impressions. The brand name came from realizing that saying ‘It’s always something’ can become self-fulfilling. In 2018, I decided to shift my perspective to ‘Something Is Everywhere, Everywhere Is Something,’ which reminds me that life keeps happening, but how we respond determines our experience. Some of my most creative ideas have come from the hardest times — proof that struggle can spark creativity.
If you could sit down to smoke one of your cannagars with anyone on earth, who would it be? What would you roll up?
It would be Erykah Badu. I would listen to ‘Apple Tree’ and roll up some of That Badu.
