On New Year’s Day 2025, Hey Rhody recognized 10 people as “Up and Coming Change Makers” in Rhode Island. The accomplishments of these individuals are impressive and legion. Change Maker contributions range from providing youth access to outdoor resources, promoting tourism, and enhancing women’s healthcare to changing negative cultural stigma about marijuana. What? Has a mainstream media outlet and publication really recognized someone who promotes the positive aspects of recreational cannabis culture? Yup. That someone is Bri Duffy, co-founder of High Society Rhode Island.
She has been named a Who-to-Watch leader in RI for 2025. This is great news. Last year, I interviewed Bri Duffy for an article: motifri.com/a-truly-high-society, June 15-30.
The topics covered in my interview with Bri touched on some of the things that High Society Rhode Island does, and why they are important. Bri told me “High Society was born from the passion of stoners, for stoners. Our mission is rooted in a deep love for cannabis and a commitment to normalizing public consumption. We believe in creating spaces where cannabis enthusiasts can come together, feel accepted, and enjoy the plant they love without stigma or judgment. High Society is more than just a brand; it’s a movement dedicated to celebrating cannabis culture and advocating for its acceptance in society.” She further noted “The High Society team brings an impressive 20 years of combined experience in the experiential marketing sector. This expertise allows us to effectively connect retailers with their consumers through engaging and impactful events. Our experiential marketing initiatives not only drive new businesses, but also give back to underserved communities, fostering meaningful partnerships that lead to sustained sales growth.”
In a recent email, Bri shared some details about the High Society Rhode Island CannaBus. She said: “One of our standout offerings is the CannaBus, a stationary mobile consumption lounge available for private parties and rentals! This means we can now make weddings, bars, restaurants, or virtually any establishment cannabis-friendly by providing a safe and stylish space for guests to bring their cannabis and consume right outside the venue. The CannaBus also hosts unique events like Blacklight Bingo, Puff & Paints, and comedy shows. We’re even launching a series of cannabis-friendly dining experiences at local restaurants, where guests can enjoy their meals on the bus! The CannaBus will be parked on patios at various Providence restaurants, making it easy for patrons to reserve a one-of-a-kind, consumption-friendly dining experience.” Way to go Bri! In a nutshell, High Society Rhode Island markets events and opportunities that allow adults to consume recreational cannabis in safe and secure settings in Rhode Island and nearby parts of Massachusetts. This is a first, and it’s why Bri Duffy is receiving attention from a mainstream that has so often dismissed, disdained, and discarded cannabis culture.
There is more to High Society Rhode Island than events and opportunities for groups of people to consume recreational cannabis is a safe and private setting. In my view, what High Society Rhode Island is really doing is working to overcome the negative stigma about recreational cannabis consumption that persists in our culture. This thoughtful and forward-thinking message permeates nearly all of their internet presence in some way or another. For better or for worse, during the past couple of years a common theme of many of the cannabis articles in Motif has focused on the strongly negative stigmas about recreational cannabis that persist in our society and culture. These negative stigmas touch on elements of social justice, a “not-in-my-backyard” attitude about allowing zoning permits for dispensaries, lifetime bans on selling glassware for cannabis consumption on the internet, and on and on. In other words, ridiculous stuff. Cannabis is just a plant that we humans have been living with for millennia, for gosh sakes. Meanwhile, in RI there are more than 160 retail stores that sell packaged alcohol. Even with the internet, it is hard to estimate the countless other establishments such as bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in the Ocean State.
In contrast, there are only seven cannabis dispensaries in Rhode Island (although admittedly there are several more coming our way in the permitting pipeline). Before High Society Rhode Island started organizing pop-up cannabis consumption events, there were few places where adults could get together and consume cannabis, eat good food, and socialize with like-minded individuals. Before they came on the scene, rock music shows were just about the only venue where people dared to share cannabis in public with people they had not previously met or known. High Society Rhode Island and the events they market and sponsor –- thanks to people like Bri Duffy –- are changing this situation for the better. Aspects of society and culture often change slowly rather than quickly. We have endured well over a century of censorship, racism, and social injustice when it comes to cannabis consumption. High Society Rhode Island is helping us turn the corner on the numerous, and highly unnecessary, negative cultural stigmas that persist with recreational cannabis. Forward-thinking individuals — or change-makers — provide the essential leadership and vision for our society and culture to move forward. Bri Duffy is clearly one of those change makers with such leadership and vision. She is certainly someone worth watching. •
Photo of High Society co-founder David Macomb. Photo by Victoria Leonard
