Cookies recently released “That Badu,” the first product line from its new partnership with Apple Trees, a cannabis company established by Erykah Badu. “That Badu,” a premium line of cannabis products designed with the wellness of women in mind, is available now, followed by a second wave of items to release on May 14, just in time for Mother’s Day.
With cannabis now among the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., it’s still largely white and male-dominated, and growers and distributors of the plant routinely disregard the fastest-growing consumer segment, which is women.
“This collaboration with Erykah felt right and necessary for so many reasons. I was raised by my mother, who was a powerful woman, and I was mentored in the cannabis space by a powerful woman, so I think it’s extremely important for more women to be in the industry,” said Berner, co-founder and CEO of Cookies. “What Erykah represents is extremely unique, and I believe it will elevate women in the space drastically. Plus, she is such a vibe and a pleasure to work with. We took our time on this project, and I’m beyond impressed with how hands-on she has been with everything.”
In 2020, Badu opened her online store, Badu World Market, where she debuted Apple Trees and its collection of cannabis accessories. However, when it came time to introduce her cannabis cultivar, Badu discovered a supportive mentor and partner in Berner.
“I had to take time to do my research,” said Badu in response to why it took so long to release a strain. “I chose to partner with Cookies because it met all of my expectations — from planting and quality control to marketing and distribution. I’m honored to be able to create under Berner’s guidance and umbrella.”
The initial product line release on March 8 featured Badu’s first cannabis cultivar, a cross of Lemonchello and Jet Fuel Gelato, offered in eighths and pre-rolls. Named after the line, the “That Badu” cultivar is available to leisure and medicinal customers across California’s Cookies and Lemonnade stores. Additional products, including Badu and Cookies SF apparel, topical creams, edibles and a non-psychoactive mushroom tea, are planned to arrive on the Cookies CBD and Badu World Market websites for purchase on May 14.
According to Badu, the cultivar has a scent of candied citrus and champagne, tastes like “melon and lemon drops,” and provides women with a “soft euphoric high.” For the pre-rolls, the rose-scented rolling paper was developed in collaboration with Vibes as a symbol of appreciation and admiration for all women. “Instead of giving Mom a dozen roses for Mother’s Day, give her a bouquet fragrant, rose-wrapped pre-rolls,” suggested Badu.
Badu’s vision was realized through every step of the process. From the research to testing and packaging design process for the full suite of products, which include a porcelain tray for rolling joints and a bong shaped like a vase, that she dubbed the “Woman Vessel,” designed and created by potter Roberto Lugo. The blue-and-white motif, which places the cannabis leaf at the center of the botanical design, evokes ancient Chinese Qinghua ceramics and nods to Badu’s appreciation for the earthenware’s associations with harmony and balance.
With this release, Badu aims to use everything in her sac to dispel stigmas surrounding cannabis usage, particularly for moms and women, by fusing wellness, art, culture and fashion. Acknowledged as a plant medicine that has long been utilized in rituals, Badu frequently uses it when she serves as a doula for births and end-of-life care. She relies on cannabis’ ability to quiet the mind, relax the body and balance the central nervous system in the form of oils, lotions, tinctures, teas and the flower itself.
“A cannabis line created with women in mind feels very, very necessary. There is an open space for women in cannabis, and I love the idea of joining the committee of supportive women in this lane,” Badu added.
Berner and Badu hope to have the entire “That Badu” collection in every Cookies location worldwide.
