High Praise: Our first cannabis bud tender spotlight With Michelle Rochon from Team Cannabis Broadway Location
1. Introduce yourself, what do you do?
My name is Michelle Rochon and I’m the Coach & Team captain of Team Cannabis, one of the newest players in the Vancouver cannabis game. Along with running our corporate and
administrative affairs, I manage our flagship store at W. Broadway & Oak St. You’ll always catch me running around, busy as a bee - I wear as many hats as I can balance on my head at one time. Being a new brand, located at ground zero of the Broadway Corridor Subway Project construction, our small team has really had to work together, pinch hit, and play multiple positions to introduce our brand (and what makes us different) to the community. I have a great team, they’re all champs!
2. Describe the impact cannabis has had on your life?
Personally, cannabis has played a huge role in my life throughout the years. Coming from the legacy market, I’ve always been around it. I’ve consumed since I was 12 and have always used it as a tool. I’ve used it to manage my energy levels, focus and attention, stress and emotions, physical pain and ailments, as well as to have a lot of fun along the way. I was never your typical stoner – smoking never slowed me down, it just seemed to balance me out. It’s been an amazing ride to see the evolution of the industry over the last 20+ years – and to allow it to take me to places I never would have imagined. And, with so many necessary improvements to the regulation of the industry combined with the data and innovation ahead of us, I don’t see the trajectory of the industry (or my passion and drive within it) lightening up anytime soon.
3. What music do you vibe to when using Cannabis?
I pretty much stick to rap & hip-hop.
4. If you could sesh with one person dead or alive, who would it be?
It would be such an experience to sit and smoke with Willie Nelson. I can only imagine the stories, the words of advice and the familiar feeling of hanging out with your g’pa. It would be such a profound experience.
5. What are your favourite ways to consume cannabis (joints, vapes, edibles, bevs and why)
True to OG tradition I generally prefer to smoke joints – nothing can replace that for me. But, Irecently moved with the times and bought myself a Puffco last summer, so I’ve been pretty hot on that. It’s been nice to dive deeper into a product class that has become so much more developed and robust than it used to be. But don’t get me wrong, I vape and ingest as well - everything has it’s time and place.
6. What cannabis format seems to be the most popular at your store?
Edibles are insane these days! It’s crazy that people buy 20+, 40+ packs at a time. It’s a direct reflection of one of the biggest reforms needed within the industry. There’s also been a huge uptick in disposable pens in the last year. Both products and their packaging being major issues in terms of environmental impact.
7. What are the biggest challenges you face as a manager?
Finding the right team members is the most difficult part. This is not the industry for pay-cheque seekers – with so much product knowledge and information to absorb, the job really requires someone with a passion for the plant, people and someone who has a drive to learn. I joke that I don’t hire heartbeats, I hire lightbulbs. Your staff need to be lit up, they need to be engaged and involved with the products, and excited to share their knowledge and/or recommendations.
8. What do you think is missing in the Cannabis industry that you think would be
important for the consumer?
What’s missing? Personalization and connection. For an industry rooted in experience and
individuality, too much of cannabis still feels one-size-fits-all. Consumers want more than just strains and percentages—they want products and recommendations that actually match their lifestyle, mood, or intention. Whether it's better education, smarter menus, or more meaningful budtender interactions, the future of cannabis should feel like it sees you. Right now, there’s still a gap between what’s on the shelf and true cannabis culture.
9. what is an improvement or change you'd like to see the cannabis industry move
towards?
I believe in a more open, wellness-oriented approach would be more beneficial when it comes to
discussing cannabis. While it’s important to respect the boundaries—especially as we’re not licensed medical professionals—the current restrictions around what we can share about the potential benefits of cannabinoids most often feel overly limiting. Being unable to mention that THC may support pain management, or that CBN is commonly used for sleep, only adds confusion for consumers seeking clarity. It’s time for more realistic guidelines that allow for informed, responsible conversations