The packaging and design are so greatly informed by the Art Deco movement and the high glamour of Hollywood Regency where did this design element come from:
We work with a design team out of San Francisco, Strohl Inc. They’re incredible and also long-time friends with Daniel. The other inspiration, of course, is the Sowden House, which in my opinion still represents the height of glamour. The house is its own character and of course a historic and iconic landmark in Hollywood.
How did you get involved with the Snowden House and the relations to the name Black Dahlia?
My dear friends Jenny Landers and Dan Goldfarb purchased the home several years ago with a mission to revitalize the house’s original mission of being a space for positive inspiration. Jenny invited me to come out and cook for a monthly Cannabis-infused brunch event “Afternoon Delight”. The storied home has been referred to as Black Dahlia after the infamous Black Dahlia murder that allegedly happened at the house in the 1950’s. It’s also sometimes referred to as the Jaws House because the front of it looks like a giant great white shark’s mouth. For many years now, Jenny and Dan have been supporting positive causes by hosting non-profit events, such as Home LA benefit, Wildlife SOS, Tusk After Dusk, Kindred Spirits Care Farm, and Agents of C.H.A.N.G.E fundraiser.
The batch presented in the video was made for the nurses at UCLA (how and why did you engage in that way?
We wanted to do something to help our heroes on the front lines. Syrisa Metzger, a friend of mine and Jenny’s is a nurse at UCLA. I messaged her asking if there was a good way to say thank you and honor the nurses? Given the benefits of CBD we thought let’s offer our lollipops. It’s a good stress reliever and hopefully something that would make them smile. They’re one of my favorite creations and they really do bring a smile to people.
How did you come up with all the various flavor profiles? have it been a reference to a certain way to combine the often overwhelming taste of CBD?
I base a lot of my flavor profiles off cocktail inspiration, like our Paloma lollipop, which is Pink Grapefruit, Orange with a hint of lime. Another inspiration is, of course, is the changing of the season. I love looking at candy making a bit differently and layering flavors is a great way to achieve that along with little tricks that hide the bitterness of the CBD.
What is next in the range of products from Black Dahlia? Do you see the brand extending more into the spaces of savory products?
I feel like we can go to the moon and back creating flavors, it’s one of the things I love most about my work. So the answer is yes I could definitely see making something on the more savory side at some point.