A ‘true believer’ in the benefits of cannabis

After nearly a decade in business, Rejeanne Runciman has learned one thing about the cannabis industry. There’s really no stereotype.

“Sure, you get the classic dreadlocked smoker,” she acknowledges. “But you also get the grandparents who just discovered the benefits of cannabis, or the parents who have a weekend away from the kids. You meet so many different people from so many different backgrounds. It’s amazing, really.”

That wasn’t the reason the Runcimans launched TrixXx. Like any entrepreneurs, they realized there was a market for this product, a safe place to hang out, rent waterpipes and meet people with the same interests.

“I have always wanted to help people,” Rejeanne says. “I just didn’t know how I wanted to do it. This has become a huge part of our life and we grateful for it every day.”

Neither her background nor her schooling hinted that this would be her mission in life. She started as a personal support worker, assisting numerous people over the years.

After seven years as a PSW she was looking for something new. With her thenhusband and a close friend, TrixXx opened on May Street in 2011, offering cannabis and tobacco accessories. With an expanding customer base, they opened Bedlam on Algoma Street.

In April, TrixXx Lounge opened on Frederica Street. It has a selection of vaporizers, pipes and bongs, as well as a restaurant, games for people to use while there, as well as foosball and Netflix, and an outdoor smoking area.

Rejeanne credits a circle of family and friends with standing beside them on this journey, providing moral support and even helping with renovations.

“We have built a family dynamic here. People that we probably wouldn’t have met are now family. Even staff that are no longer with us still come and hang out.

“We would not be here if it wasn’t for my parents, our good friends, the fantabulous staff and, of course, our amazing customers,” she says. “They are the ones who keep the doors open.”

The future looks bright and they are looking at growing again.

“We’re constantly trying to think of new ideas and things to do in and for the community,” Rejeanne says. “Educating and helping people has and always will be one of our main priorities.

“We’re learning every day and it’s now become a passion to teach others.”

An inspiration for the shift into cannabis was personal. Shortly after opening TrixXx, her father Richard was diagnosed with optical nerve cancer.

“That is when I really became passionate about cannabis,” she explains.

Rejeanne credits the use of cannabis with easing his suffering and prolonging his life.

“It helped him eat, it helped him sleep, it helped with pain management,” she says of the benefits to her father.

Rejeanne is now a “true believer” in the benefits of cannabis and how it can improve person’s quality of life. She hopes people will be open-minded when it comes to this type of service.

“It may not be for everyone,” she says. “If they do some research, or come in and speak to our educated staff, they can learn so much about cannabis and its benefits.

“I know cannabis gave me more years with my father,” she adds. “I will always be thankful for that.”