Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucie Bradt
Lucie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The year 2023 brought its fair share of highs and lows. I found myself reflecting deeply on many aspects of my life—my mental health, my career, and the choices I’d made over the past decade. I looked back at my time in the restaurant industry, the years it took to complete my esthetics courses and become an advanced practice esthetician, and the many career ideas I’d entertained along the way. No matter what path I considered, I kept ending up in the same place: completely burnt out. I wasn’t finding fulfillment in any of these roles, but I realized one thing—I loved connecting with people and helping them feel seen.
During this time of reflection, I was also struggling with my mental health. After months of working through my challenges, I finally received an autism diagnosis. It was a mix of relief, heartache (mourning the person I thought I was), and clarity all at once. By summer, I reached a point of exhaustion where I could hardly regulate my emotions, let alone keep working. I continued because I felt like I had no choice—but eventually, I hit a breaking point. I knew I needed to make a change: heal my nervous system, address my trauma, and find a career that brought me joy and allowed me to bring joy to others.
That’s when the idea for Cannababe was born. As someone on the spectrum, cannabis had always been a tool for managing anxiety and other aspects of my condition. One day, after a particularly intense anxiety attack about a serving shift, I made the decision not to return to work. Around that same time, I had noticed a “for rent” sign on a space that I had been eyeing. Though I wasn’t prepared to start a business, I took the leap and dove in headfirst and opened the first queer hemp dispensary & cannabis lounge in Minneapolis. It was the scariest thing I’d ever done, but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made.
Cannababe created a space where people could come together, find support, and experience the benefits of cannabis in a safe, welcoming environment with women, queer, and neurodivergent folks in mind. However, life had other plans, Cannababe quickly outgrew the space and I ended up having to move out due to unsafe structutal building conditions. While this was a setback, it gave me the time and space to regroup and refocus on the next steps for Cannababe because I found how much there was a need for this space and community. Fast forward to November 2024, and I’m proud to say that I’ve built a beautiful community and safe haven. I’ve collaborated with countless amazing people, hosted numerous events, and I’m excited to reopen Cannababe for adult-use in 2025. It’s been a journey, but one that has led me to a place of peace, purpose, and connection.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been… bumpy, but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. As I mentioned earlier, I’m neurodivergent and navigate mental health challenges, as well as chronic health issues, so it often feels like one step forward, two steps back. Mentally and physically, I’ve been focusing on pouring love into myself through therapy, rest, and self-compassion. Beyond the mental and physical challenges, starting a business has brought its fair share of obstacles. From flooring issues and structural problems in the building to the complexities of accounting and taxes, the hurdles have been real. There’s also the exhaustion of being on the clock 24/7.
Thankfully, in March, an old friend reached out—someone with a wealth of marketing experience who had just moved back home and was eager to help a small business. She loved my mission, and I was thrilled to bring Elle on board full-time. She’s been an incredible asset to the team and has helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I also recently brought my friend Kathryn on board as an administration manager—she handles so much, and I’m beyond grateful to have her support. Honestly, I couldn’t do it without them.
One of the biggest struggles I’m still working through, though, is imposter syndrome. There are moments when I catch myself thinking, Wow, I’m a business owner who’s actually making a difference in my community. It’s hard to fully embrace, but I’m learning to believe in myself more each day. Above all, the support and love from the community has changed my life. The outpouring of encouragement and connection often brings me to tears. I am in awe of the kindness, the energy, and the way we’ve all come together to make something special. It’s more than I ever could have imagined, and it keeps me going every single day.
As you know, we’re big fans of Cannababe MN. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Cannababe MN, we are committed to breaking barriers in the cannabis industry by creating a dispensary and lounge that prioritizes inclusivity and empowerment, especially for womxn, neurodivergent individuals, and the queer community. Our mission is to destigmatize cannabis use by establishing a safe and welcoming space for education, personal healing, and connection. We believe in the power of compassionate dialogue and shared experiences to illuminate the benefits of cannabis, while championing diversity, inclusion, and acceptance.
Cannababe is dedicated to cultivating a culture of understanding, wellness, and celebration, reimagining the cannabis experience for everyone. One of the ways we make this possible is by focusing on “inner child healing”. By incorporating art into our experiences—whether it’s through craft tables at our parties or our monthly Puff & Paint nights currently being hosted at Cannajoy in South Minneapolis with the incredibly talented local artist Julissa Andrade aka Pax Paints—we create spaces that encourage play, creativity, and personal healing. These moments allow our community to reconnect with their inner child and embrace joy and self-expression, fostering both emotional and physical wellness. I’m proud of the safe space we’ve built and remain committed to continuing this meaningful work. (Check them out on insta @cannajoymn and @paxpaints).
We’re gearing up for our grand re-opening in summer 2025, and we can’t wait to welcome you back! While our dispensary & lounge isn’t open yet—due to the ever-evolving regulations from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)—we’re continuing to host events and create a safe, inclusive space for cannabis lovers of all backgrounds. Our mission is to nurture a community where people can come together, learn, heal, and celebrate, and we’re so excited for what’s ahead. Follow our journey and stay updated on upcoming events by joining us on Instagram and Facebook @cannababemn, and be sure to check out our website at www.cannababemn.com for merch and fun stoner goodies coming soon! If you’d like to join our email list please reach out to [email protected]
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Therapy and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)! Can’t recommend either of those enough. Also, tapping into your community is so important. The mentors and other folks in the Cannabis industry who have supported us, reached out, shared tips and tricks, sympathized with us, and those who have collaborated with us…we cannot thank them enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cannababemn.com
- Instagram: cannababemn
