Breaking Stigmas and Building Community with June Johnson of Collective High

Episode OverviewIn this episode, Donna sits down with June Johnson — founder of Collective High and The Weed Doula — for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, advocacy, cannabis education, and the power of intentional community. June brings a wealth of knowledge about the cannabis space, the importance of destigmatizing its use, and what it means to build a business around a mission you believe in deeply.About June JohnsonJune Johnson is the founder of Collective High, a private networking space for like-minded individuals interested in breaking the stigma around cannabis. Think Soho House — but with cannabis consumption woven into a thoughtfully curated environment for founders, philanthropists, thought leaders, and tastemakers. Now in its fourth year, Collective High connects consumption with intention through empowering event programming and community-building. June is also the founder of The Weed Doula, a platform dedicated to cannabis education and guided integration.What We Discuss in This EpisodeThe entrepreneur's journey behind Collective High June shares what inspired her to create a members-only space where cannabis consumers — many of them high-achieving professionals — can connect, learn, and consume without judgment. Four years in, the concept is resonating in ways she finds genuinely exciting.Who actually uses cannabis Donna and June push back on the persistent "stoner" stereotype with a simple truth: the cannabis consumers they know are mothers, fathers, CEOs, CFOs, servers, and top performers in every field. The conversation normalizes what so many people already know privately but rarely say out loud.The science of cannabis in the body June explains the endocannabinoid system, why cannabis affects people so differently, and what the actual risk profile looks like — including a frank discussion of the rare circumstances where it may not be appropriate. This is the kind of grounded, educational conversation that's been missing from the mainstream.From stigma to empowerment Much of June's work focuses on helping people who already use cannabis feel less shame about it — and more purposeful in how they approach it. Whether someone turns to it for pain, sleep, anxiety, or performance, June believes education and community are the antidote to decades of misinformation.Cannabis as a faith-based conversation Donna shares her own perspective as a believing Christian on why she works with cannabis businesses — and why she sees the plant as something created with intention and purpose. It's a refreshing angle that challenges the assumption that faith and cannabis advocacy can't coexist.Building businesses in misunderstood industries Both Donna and June have navigated the experience of being looked down on for their work in cannabis-adjacent spaces. They talk about what it takes to hold your ground, stay mission-driven, and build something meaningful when not everyone understands what you're doing or why.The bigger picture — society, education, and community The conversation broadens into a discussion about what's happening in schools, the importance of reading to your kids, and the work of author Octavia E. Butler — particularly her prescient novel Parable of the Sower. June and Donna share a belief that the problems we face as a society require collective effort, not quick fixes.Resources MentionedParable of the Sower by Octavia E. ButlerCollective High website: collective-high.comCollective High on Instagram: @collectivehighThe Weed Doula: theweeodoula.comJune Johnson email: [email protected] with June Johnson🌿 Collective High — collective-high.com 🌿 The Weed Doula — theweedoula.com 📧 [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @collectivehighConnect with Donna Harris & Bookkeeping Made Simple🎙️ Books & Backbone Podcast 💼 mysimplebookkeeping.com 📞 801-692-0032