Photo Courtesy of Emily McCune
Downtown Fergus Falls is now home to Sugar High, a new, and unique hemp-derived retail business.
Located at 123 East Lincoln Avenue, Sugar High has been attracting attention since its grand opening on August 22, 2022.
Owned by Emily McCune, who started the venture in April 2022, Sugar High serves as both a dispensary and consulting business.
McCune provides one-on-one cannabis consultations, sharing,
“I conduct one-on-one cannabis consultations with individuals to answer mostly questions about what products we offer in our store, what can I use that would help me with this condition or that condition, which cannabinoid is right for pain, which will help me sleep.”
CBD, or cannabidiol, has a number of potential health benefits.
It has been found to reduce anxiety and depression in some cases, with one study showing that 300 milligrams of CBD significantly reduced anxiety in men undergoing a public speaking test.
CBD may also have antidepressant properties, although further research is needed.
Photo Courtesy of Emily McCune
In addition, CBD has been approved by the FDA to treat seizures resulting from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two rare forms of epilepsy, and it has been shown to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid addiction.
Other potential benefits of CBD include its ability to alleviate symptoms of ALS, reduce chronic pain, and help regulate insulin-related hormone levels in patients with diabetes.
CBD also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may provide neuroprotection against certain pathological disorders.
Furthermore, CBD has been found to have a pain-relieving effect and suppress disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Although further research is necessary to fully understand the benefits of CBD, its potential as a natural treatment for a wide range of conditions is promising.
The store’s products include ingestible items, bath and skincare products, books, and artwork, all of which are cannabis-related.
McCune emphasizes that everything is 100% hemp-derived, compliant with Minnesota regulations.
As legislation changes, Emily plans to incorporate marijuana products, stating,
“We are a hemp dispensary, the reason I didn’t call ourselves a hemp dispensary is because from day one I knew we would incorporate marijuana when legalization occurs.”
McCune is passionate about educating the public on the differences between hemp and marijuana.
Photo Courtesy of Emily McCune
With a degree in cannabis healthcare & medicine, Emily also hosts DIY workshops and free community educational presentations in the adjacent space, affectionately dubbed the “Sugar Shack.”
These workshops cover topics like cannabis flower extractions for tinctures and other uses, and interested individuals can sign up online.
Family members contribute to Sugar High’s selection of art and hemp jewelry.
In addition to her current business, McCune’s ultimate goal is to become a cannabis baker.
Sugar High is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 8 pm, and visitors must be 21 or older.
As legalization regulation legislation progresses rapidly in Minnesota, businesses owned by women, veterans, minorities, and individuals with marijuana-related criminal records are prioritized in the licensing process.
With the potential passage of recreational marijuana laws in in the near future, Sugar High and similar establishments are well-positioned for substantial growth.
People can sign up for their newsletter, workshops, and book cannabis consultations right from their website sugarhighconsulting.com
If people have direct questions that can’t be answered there, they can email Emily directly at: emily@sugarhighconsulting.com
Photo Courtesy of Emily McCune