Yasas Weerasingha wants people to think a little bit differently about what the term high society means.
“In my mind, it’s about elevating everyone, providing a more inclusive environment in the community,” he says, speaking of his business’s name, High Society Cannabis Co.
Nearly three years after the legalization of cannabis, Weerasingha says that he wants the retailer to be a space where both seasoned users and newcomers who wish to dabble in some products feel welcome.
“We want to bring a lot of knowledge to Thunder Bay. We’re doing our research, looking at the markets and trying to stay ahead of the curve.”
As a retailer, High Society Cannabis Co. offers a wide range of products in the form of concentrates, pre-rolls, vapourizers, edibles and topical treatments. Weerasingha says that he and his team are always mindful of feedback from customers. Staff members are also encouraged to try what’s in stock, he adds, so they can provide an informed perspective.
“If something doesn’t jive or feel like a good fit for us, we switch it out and we find something better,” he says. “We only want to offer people the best, high quality products.”
Prior to restrictions easing up, the company was offering same day delivery through its online store. Since the business didn’t open its doors until April of this year, Weerasingha says they’ve tried to market themselves on billboards and various social media platforms to let people know they’re here in the community. But now that in-store shopping is available, Weerasingha says he’s optimistic that business will pick-up and believes it will give him a better chance to provide customers with a better sense of what the company stands for.
For instance, he says he wants the company to become more involved in community causes. On its website, the business has a section where anyone can fill out an online form to let Weerasingha and his staff know about any local initiatives they can contribute to. This includes anything from participating in food drives and fundraisers to volunteering.
“We are passionate about helping the homeless population. We know that this is an issue,” he says. “But we want to help and support in any other way possible. As a business owner, I’m of the mindset that we should be looking out for each other rather than just taking things from the community. We want to have a positive impact in more ways than one.”
