Samantha Smith, Contributing Author

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Samantha Smith is a freelance writer, journalist, medical cannabis patient and marijuana advocate. Currently she holds the title of Corporate Merchandising and Marketing Communications Manager for The Green Door, a chain of dispensaries in Michigan.

Prior to her entry into the cannabis industry, she was a journalist for The La Porte County Herald Dispatch in Michigan City, IN and The Harbor Country News in New Buffalo, Michigan. Her beats included local politics, community events, and topics related to local schools. Interview highlights from her time at both publications include Michigan AG Dana Nessel, Olypian, Barbara Jones Slater, actor, Keith Ellis and comedian, Bill Engvall. In addition to PotGuide, her freelance work can be found on Leafly and in Pet LifeStyles Magazine.

Samantha was first introduced to cannabis in 2013 after her father, who was a caregiver at the time, approached her about becoming a medical cannabis patient to help treat her epilepsy and anxiety. Amazed by what cannabis could do for her, she decided to make a career shift in 2017 when her parents opened the first Green Door location in Bangor, Michigan, where she started out as a budtender. Cannabis also helped Samantha while trying to manage a rare digestive disorder she developed in her mid-twenties. Samantha has also organized and led educational seminars about cannabis to local colleges. By being a part of the cannabis industry, her hope is to spread awareness about the benefits of cannabis in any way she can.

Samantha credits her professional involvement in the cannabis industry to her family. In addition to opening The Green Door they also opened a 30,000 square-foot, class A grow facility, Pure Michigan Growers, in 2018. Pure Michigan Growers is also located in Bangor, and both companies are vertically integrated.

As the Corporate Merchandising and Marketing Communications Manager for The Green Door, her duties include acting as the head of the corporate marketing division, creating advertising content and materials for all advertising platforms, managing and ordering incoming merchandise for all Green Door locations and acting as the voice over for all Green Door radio commercials. Until March 2021, Samantha was also the Assistant Hiring Manager for Pure Michigan Growers.

A 2015 graduate of Ball State University, Samantha earned her Bachelor's in Journalism with a double minor in Women and Gender Studies, and Advertising. During her time at Ball State, she was a Social Media Management intern for Hope for Women Magazine and an Organizational Development Intern for the University’s Women and Gender Studies Program where she learned management skills and was able to express her creativity through promoting both outlets.

Outside of the cannabis industry, Samantha likes spending time with her dogs, Ringo and Cooper. She also owns a baking business, Tranquil Tummy Confections, which focuses on creating dietary sensitive baked goods—a passion that stemmed from dealing with her health issues before they went into remission. She also enjoys spending summer days at the beach, scrapbooking, traveling, writing, and having a good cup of coffee. Samantha can be found on Instagram at @sammyliz92