EXCLUSIVE: Erykah Badu Talks New Cannabis Line With Cookies, Women In Cannabis, And Vogue Cover Shoot

Erykah Badu is welcoming Women's History Month with an exclusive partnership with Cookies.

Known as the Queen of Neo-soul, Badu, a 4-time Grammy winner, says the cannabis industry lacks a female presence. There may be no better person to lead this change.

Her strain, 'That Badu,' will be available in Cookies stores worldwide, starting in Los Angeles on March 8th for International Women's day.  

"I partnered with Berner after establishing Apple Trees, my cannabis line. Cookies and I got together to form the product. It's a hybrid that's part Lemon Gelato and other cannabinoids we've researched," Erykah Badu said in an exclusive interview. 

"My strain is for everybody, but my focus was women's studies because I often use it in my work. I'm a doula and an energetic mover. I use (cannabis) naturopathically, and in my work, I use a lot of cannabinoids in many different forms, and it's been very beneficial. I think that, at this point, the commercial use of cannabis overshadows the healing properties of cannabis."

Badu says she chose the launch date on International Women's day to give credibility to women in cannabis.

"It's important that I help push the narrative and become a part of this critical conversation," she said.

"Women growers, women planters, women product line alchemists, and the things that help us heal and take hold in some way of our central nervous system. That way, we can regulate our hormones and other things that we need to help us daily. "

While Badu says she has sold paraphernalia on her site, Badu World Market, since its inception in 2020, the launch will be her first flower product.

Berner has been keen to partner with Badu, who is admittedly new to the industry, but said she finally felt ready to develop the product. True to her authenticity, she says she has a hands-on approach to any new project, so her fans can be sure that any product that bears her name — she developed.

"If I can't focus on the project, I don't wanna do it. I'm not the kind of artist or creator who thinks of something and gives it to a team to accomplish for me. I like to be a part of the process, so the essence of the original vision is present," Badu said.

Badu says she was involved in every aspect of her strain's development.

"From packaging to products that accompany it, to how it makes you feel, what's in it, how strong it is…how strong its not," said Badu.

"This particular strain is very potent, and I've wanted a product that I can use in the morning and the evening because, in my work, you never know what time of day I'm meeting." 

A key element in curating 'That Badu' from inception was that she collaborated with her greatest inspirations in the art world to create additional products that complement her strain. 

"Roberto Lugo is a renowned sculptor in the art world, and I partnered with him to create a vase slash bong and a tray made of porcelain with gold trim," she said.

The product's packaging design features blue-and-white motifs celebrating ancient Chinese Qinghua ceramics, one of Badu’s many creative passions.

Following the launch of her strain on International Women's day, the second product will drop on Mother's day, May 12th. 

"We're also offering a dozen roses with each set, not just traditional ones. These are pre-rolled rose wraps, and we use rose petals as leaves that can be consumed." 

The artist says cannabis helps her artistic process in a way that relaxes her nervous system enabling her to focus.

"My mind doesn't wander too much on things that will deter me from staying on my path. It helps me get my whole vision out, enough to be able to discern or discriminate between thoughts that are going to evolve this process or not." 

Erykah Badu has been an enigma in the art world as a musician and a fashion icon. She was quick not to pigeonhole herself when defining her style. 

"Im always evolving; the more information I learn, the more I learn what to do and what not to do. I'm a creative and an alchemist, working with the elements and myself to create things."

Her eccentric style prompted Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour to ask her to appear on the cover of Vogue for its March issue.  

"I was asked to walk the Vogue show in New York, and she was very interested in my creativity after that because whatever I wear, I make it my own," Badu explained.

Her following conversation with Wintour was about a Vogue cover shoot.

"I said I don't have any music out, and I don't have anything to promote. And she said, 'Too bad. You're on the cover'."

The beloved artist is working on music, recently collaborating with BTS member RM on 'Yun,' and Badu says she will hopefully release music in the fourth quarter of this year. 

Despite being a larger-than-life figure for many, Badu projects a vulnerable confidence that makes her makes her art relatable.

"Doesn't it make me more amazing that I go through everything you go through? I'm just colder than you," she laughs. 

"I don't know. I'm just really interested in the evolution of the world, and I'm in the world. My own evolution is important to me, and I want to be useful in the world," Badu added.

Badu advises anyone wanting to project more confidence in themselves: "Don't waste time trying to be on someone else's timeline. Whether on Instagram or in the world, you cant jump from your timeline to someone else's. The universe rarely gives people what they ask for; it gives people what they are," she says.

"The moment you decide that I'm going to be confident, there's no journey needed. You made a decision, and the universe will enhance it, and that's what I know."