Store Highlight: Curious Cannabis Co.

As you step inside, you’ll notice the warmth of the space. The dark green and black interior is accented with exposed brick and herbaceous wallpaper, and velvet chairs offer comfy spots to hang and relax. Curating this cozy vibe is something owner Zaira Gaudio had in mind when opening her store three years ago.

Gaudio’s experience feeling excluded as a queer person has informed everything about the way she conducts her business. “I decided to open my shop because I felt like there was a void in the cannabis retail landscape in my neighbourhood,” she says. “I don’t want anyone to feel turned off cannabis because of an intimidating or unwelcoming store experience, and building something warm and disarming was at the core of our goals from the start.”

Curious Cannabis Co. was created as a welcoming community space where education is prioritized and, Gaudio says, she could help her community on their own journeys of discovery: “Where cannabis consumers of all ages, expressions and experience levels could feel safe asking questions and confident they would receive good, legal advice.”

Gaudio prefers to promote smaller brands, generally avoiding stocking the top 100 products carried most often in Authorized Cannabis Stores as much as she can. “I really take pride in curating a great selection of full spectrum products from indie brands,” she says. “In the last year, HighXotic, Artiznl, Glenn’s and, of course, our neighbours (close enough, anyway!) Kronic have all been real standouts on our shelves.”

Zaira Gaudio

Owner, Curious Cannabis Co.

“Small businesses only thrive through the support of their communities — same with
queer people.”

Gaudio’s advice to folks who are looking to try cannabis for the first time? “Often, I find new consumers prefer to ingest cannabis — in which case, I recommend starting with a beverage. Their faster onset and shorter experience duration make them, in my opinion, much more accessible, with lower room for accidentally overdoing it.”

Don’t live near Curious Cannabis Co.? Use the OCS Store Locator to find an Authorized Cannabis Store near you.

Store Highlight features Authorized Cannabis Stores that apply to participate as part of the quarterly OCS Content Call process. If you are interested in having your store featured, find out how on OCS Wholesale Learn.