Nevada budtender vying for Miss Marijuana USA

Cannabis users have long been closeted. Generations of Americans innately hide marijuana use for fear of detection and legal prosecution. But medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996. Nevada approved its medical cannabis law in 2000. Colorado legalized cannabis and its many derivative products for adult use in 2012, and during the 2016 elections, Nevada joined 10 other states and Canada and legalized cannabis for recreational or adult use purposes. Many speculate that the end of federal prohibition is near. There are new generations of Americans who will not know a country where cannabis is illegal. With time, by degrees, the lingering stigma and stereotypes of cannabis prohibition will fade away, and for Kiara Brisker, that time cannot come soon enough.

Brisker is vying to become Miss Marijuana USA, a title that comes with a $25,000 cash prize. Brisker is a budtender at Silver State Relief in Sparks, Nevada, and a University of Nevada Reno graduate with a degree in journalism. She is also an active volunteer broadcaster at KWNK community radio in Reno. Nevada Capital News culture reporter Maribel Cuervo spoke with Brisker recently about her effort to become Miss Marijuana and more on this edition of The Wild Hare podcast.