HiVi: Cannabis Education Gets Personal

Eunice Kim started her cannabis education platform, HiVi, in 2020. She’s since become well-known in cannabis circles for creating a science-backed and heart-led cannabis concierge for conscious consumers. Her goal was to reach a broader community. So she set out to craft a solution that now empowers her friends and other women with cannabis knowledge. She’s already created a community for discovering the plant that helps women reach their goals with cannabis faster than they can on their own.

We caught up with Eunice to discuss how HiVi came to fruition, what’s in her stash, and her experience with the cannabis plant.

What is HiVi and how is it unique in cannabis education? 

HiVi is a science-backed and heart-led cannabis concierge for conscious consumers. We are completely customer-obsessed. Our goal is to empower the consumer to make the best cannabis decisions for themselves. We provide Medical-Advisor supported Cannabis education, a stigma-free community to connect with like-minded folks in a safe space, and product curation that only highlights ethical and high-quality brands—many of which are women or BIPOC-led. We’ve actually just launched the private beta waitlist for our personalized recommendations service! I invite you to sign up and discover your personal Cannabis Profile and the best-suited products for you. I don’t think there’s anything quite like it yet, and I’m so excited to share this offering with our community.

How would you suggest that the cannabis curious first explore HiVi? 

Our space is truly open to what you want to make of it. If you’re just starting to get curious about CBD and cannabis, I recommend you start with our LEARN section. Get the basics down first. On the other hand, if you’re someone who’s open about their cannabis use and is looking for a community of high-functioning and inspiring women, you can connect and learn more about our Higher-Ups community. Or, you can attend one of the many events HiVi and like-minded organizations host. If you’re looking to diversify your cannabis consumption or support more women- and BIPOC entrepreneurs and companies, you can check out our DISCOVER curation of over 800 products. We’re here to be a resource and guide for you, no matter what your cannabis journey looks like.

Tell us about the minute the inspiration struck you to create HiVi

I didn’t start consuming cannabis until I was 30. Before that, I fully subscribed to the stigma. But that’s a story for another time! Once I became more comfortable speaking to my friends and peers about my cannabis use, I quickly learned that many women were in a similar situation. We didn’t feel comfortable with cannabis because we didn’t see ourselves represented by the industry. It was still so heavily stigmatized that we feared judgment or, in some states, legal repercussions. 

I’ve always loved finding a solution to a problem. So I wanted to empower my friends and other women with knowledge and community to discover this plant for their self-care and help them get to their goals quickly. Cannabis is such a powerful tool. Women can benefit the most from it—experiencing relief from anxiety and stress, better sleep, and better sex. This plant can help us in so many ways, and it’s a shame to dismiss it without experiencing it for yourself.  

How does your experience working in cannabis education compare with your initial foray into researching cannabis for your own personal health? 

My own convoluted journey to discover what and how cannabis was right for me informed me the most about what to avoid as a cannabis educator. I discovered cannabis alone, on Google. It wasn’t fun. But I’ve since learned that adopting cannabis can be such a nourishing and pleasant journey. We really try to deliver that quality experience with three goals:

1.Stop the spread of misinformation by sharing only vetted, verified facts.

2.Educate in a tone and voice that consumers understand and can relate to.

3.Make it easy for the consumer.  

FAVORITE EDIBLE AND WHY? 

My favorite edible right now is Cosmic View’s Suns and Moons honey hard sweets. Cosmic View is women-owned and operated, and their story is inspiring. These sweets are low-dose, which is perfect for a micro-doser like me. Their cannabis is also from a sun-grown women-owned farm. Plus, their flavors are made with all-natural ingredients. What’s dreamier than a Rose Cardamom Ginger sweet with just the right amount of THC to unwind after a long day? 

What are 3 things that are always in your stash? 

Good quality flower, beautiful rolling papers (*ahem* House of Puff), and a cute lighter.  

 HiVi has a pretty cool cannabis product recommender. What’s the thinking behind it? 

I’ve been quite the data nerd over the years. Plus, I believe we need to rely on science, not marketing tactics, when it comes to cannabis and wellbeing. We wanted to dive deeper than what products claim to do. We want to actually match people with products that are right for their goals based on their actual formulations. It reduces the risk of trial and error and hopefully get you feeling better, faster. 

What are HiVi’s criteria for choosing which cannabis brands you recommend? 

Our team has put together what we call our “Highest Standard” to partner and feature cannabis brands. Cannabis is a rapidly growing and increasingly saturated industry. We inform consumers about which brands are inclusive and equitable, high quality, and mission-driven. We also provide information about who’s producing with clean cultivation, rigorous quality testing practices, and transparency. 

What’s a fun/weird cannabis trick that you can share? 

This definitely isn’t a secret, but I love blending my cannabis flower with other natural botanicals like rose, lavender, and damiana. It totally rounds out my high, and it smells/tastes great.  

Go-to munchies snack? 

Small-batch ice cream and Lays. I’m simple! 

Besides cannabis education and product recommendations, HiVi offers “more personalized guidance,” how does that work? 

We understand that cannabis is not “one-size-fits-all.” Even with science-backed recommendations, your personal journey is unique and might require a bit more support. That’s why our email ([email protected]) and HiVi Hotline text service (424-209-8198) are always open for you to speak to a real human about your cannabis goals and questions. We’re not medical doctors providing a diagnosis, but we’re an educated and credible source that will point you in the right direction by listening first.  

It’s Women’s History Month, and HiVi’s Higher Ups page is packed with images of gorgeously diverse women. What does being a HiVi Higher Up mean? 

The Higher-Ups community is the heart of HiVi. It started selfishly. I wanted to meet more high-functioning women like me in a stigma-free and judgment-free environment. I’m so touched and proud to see it now grow to 120 women from all over the world. As a Higher-Up, a collective of truly inspiring individuals from all walks of life embrace you (virtually). We’re united in our love for the plant, and we’re also dedicated to seeing the plant and the industry thrive in the right way. Our own virtual hub keeps us constantly connected. We support each other’s endeavors, collaborate on fun projects, and take part in fun HiVi perks and private events. It’s high vibes all around.  

How can we keep up with you and what you’re doing? 

Definitely stay in touch with our journey on IG! And if you’re interested in experiencing our personalized recommendations beta, I encourage you to get on the waitlist. That way, you can be the first to check it out real soon. We really appreciate the support!