Whoopi Goldberg Launches Cannabis Brand Emma & Clyde: 'Cannabis Is Probably The Greatest Medicine'

Whoopi Goldberg, the iconic actress and comedian, announced the launch of her new cannabis brand, Emma & Clyde.

As first reported by Javier Hasse on Forbes, the brand pays tribute to Goldberg’s mother and brother while seeking to bridge the gap between medicinal and recreational cannabis use.

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"Cannabis is probably the greatest medicine on the planet that everybody can have," Goldberg shared from her home in a conversation with Hasse.

Reflecting on her long-standing relationship with the plant, she highlighted its dual benefits as a pain reliever and a source of joy. "For people like me, it was always used to stop the [menstrual] cramps – and the side hustle of that is that it was fun, it made you laugh and stuff."

Personal Connection And Family Tribute

Goldberg's advocacy for cannabis is deeply personal. Her mother used cannabis for medicinal purposes, while her brother enjoyed it recreationally. This family connection is at the heart of Emma & Clyde.

"Emma & Clyde is named after my family because my mother used cannabis for medicinal purposes. And my brother liked the recreational. They are two people that represent weed as it stands in the real world," the Oscar-winning actress told Hasse.

The brand is set to launch on July 20th in select stores and will include a range of products such as edibles, pre-rolls, flowers, and accessories.

From Taboo To Mainstream

Goldberg’s journey with cannabis began long before it became a business venture. "I’m not sure when everybody in my family got on board. I didn’t realize that my mother had been utilizing it for herself until after she passed away," she said. "My brother and I used to smoke in the days when it was just something that you could do under the tree in the backyard when nobody could see you.”

Her partnership with Maya Elisabeth, co-creator of the original Whoopi & Maya brand, continues with Emma & Clyde. "We made a great product. Whoopi & Maya was great. We were out there first and before many, many other people," Goldberg said.

Advocacy For Pain Relief

Goldberg's main motivation for using cannabis had always been to manage menstrual pain. "My premier reason for utilizing cannabis always was for making sure I could stop the pain," she shared. She has also seen its benefits through her friends who were cancer patients.

Goldberg urges people to explore the benefits of cannabis: "I encourage people who are looking for something that gets rid of pain, that makes you less anxious. There are all kinds of things that this particular plant can do," she said.

Industry Challenges And Opportunities

In the interview with Forbes, Goldberg also addressed the need for supportive laws and banking reforms to help entrepreneurs, especially people of color, succeed in the cannabis industry.

"Once we’re able to get people to stop talking about it negatively… There’s a lot of stuff that’s bad and we shouldn’t be doing it, but it’s perfectly legal out there. This [cannabis], I want to make sure it gets away from being classified incorrectly so that all the people they say they want to help, mostly black and brown people, the ones who went to jail, can have a shot in this business," she concluded.

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Image credits: WhoopFam. Edit by Javier Hasse.