The High-Lite is a series created by the High Exposure Agency to shine a light on the advocates, founders, farmers, legislators, dispensary owners, processors (and more) who are building the New York cannabis market.
Savannah Miles is the lead photographer and creative director of Pressed Productions — a media and event production company born out of their deep love for storytelling, advocacy, and community. A Bronxite and lifelong creative, Savannah’s journey in cannabis began via their organizing and advocacy work with the Bronx Defenders.
What is your mission in cannabis?
My mission in cannabis started as an inaugural staff member at the Bronx Cannabis hub, helping justice-impacted people apply for CAURD licenses. It shifted when I noticed the gap in documentation of the history unfolding both within our organization and in the cannabis community as a whole. There wasn’t anyone who reflected the community capturing their narratives, and I was pressed about that. So, I founded Pressed Productions as a way to authentically capture and change the narrative of what it means to be a cannabis entrepreneur today, while simultaneously deconstructing the stigma of yesterday.
What’s it like to own an ancillary business in New York?
It is as rewarding as it is challenging. It is an interesting place to be, but the community here is truly like no other.
What’s your wish for the industry in New York in the next five years?
My wish for the industry is for it to stay true to its promise of equity, especially for programs like CAURD. We’re seeing equity missions fail across states then MSOs swoop in. I don’t want New York to be added to that list. The market should remain for New York by New Yorkers.
What is your favorite strain?
Grand Daddy Purp
What is your favorite form of consumption?
An old fashioned cypher with friends; on the stoop, in the staircase… just jays and jokes floating around.
Organizations Growing Together
In the spirit of innovation, these three organizations are working to teach New Yorkers how to grow their own (cannabis and food) and share ways to explore the plant beyond the bud. Keep an eye out for them at a dispensary near you, or you can book them for an upcoming event.
The C (annabis) Cosmology is an R&D and educational platform which approaches the industry via a regenerative framework. They encourage the exploration of the cannabis plant and all its forms for human consumption, as well as biomass use.
Change Food for Good was founded with the mission of “making sustainable agricultural technology more accessible to areas affected by food insecurity.” They utilize technology and advanced farming methods to empower the next generation of urban farmers.
We Grow NYC‘s mission is to teach and support sustainable, community-building urban growing practices. The organization emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility as they endeavor to create a future where urban growers are not limited by space, quality, or access.
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