As weed becomes more popular and socially accepted among Americans, celebrities are taking advantage of the relatively new legal market. Jushi Holdings Inc. has announced a partnership with Stacey Rusch, Real Housewives of Potomac star and entrepreneur, on a cannabis-based wellness brand, Shayo. Shayo, a Yoruba word meaning “to be happy,” combines “elevated ingredients with a lifestyle-forward ethos to deliver a one-of-a-kind edible experience to Virginia’s medical cannabis market.”
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Shayo has released two rosin-infused fruit chews—Rise (Blood Orange Pomegranate) and Rest (Berry Vanilla). The former contains a 1:2 ratio of THC: CBG, and the second a 1:2 ratio of THC: CBN. Both gummies are vegan, gluten-free, and made without GMOs. They’re available at all six Beyond Hello locations in Virginia and will be rolled out to additional dispensaries across the state.
“Shayo is about joy, rhythm, and living life fully. I’m so proud to bring this brand to my home state and help people discover a delicious new path to wellness,” said Rusch about the brand launch.
Jushi is a brand “focused on building a multi-state portfolio of branded cannabis assets through opportunistic acquisitions, distressed workouts, and competitive applications.” Its newest partnership with Rusch, a former fan favorite of the Bravo show, is the newest of the national trend of online personalities partnering with cannabis brands.
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Recreational cannabis was legalized in Virginia in 2021, and medical use was made legal the year before. Medical cannabis can be sold by a licensed pharmaceutical processor or dispensing facility in the state. Rusch is a Detroit native, but now lives in the Commonwealth with her daughter.
Rusch joins the ranks of Tinashe, Seth Rogen, Wiz Khalifa, and more in the legal cannabis market. With all the drama that entails on Real Housewives, it’s not surprising that one of the franchise’s alumna would dip into the weed industry—perhaps it could’ve brought it all down a notch.