Check out Housing Works’ Q+A with 1906’s CEO, Peter Barsoom below!

What is your connection to cannabis, and how has it changed your life?
My connection to cannabis runs deep. As someone with ADHD, I’ve experienced firsthand how cannabis can unlock focus, calm the mind, and bring greater balance to daily life. It’s more than just a plant to me – it’s been a game-changer, offering a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals and empowering me to live with greater intention and clarity. This personal journey fuels my belief in the transformative power of plants to heal and enhance our lives.

At 1906, we’ve taken the broad spectrum of needs and desires that cannabis serves and created a line of precision-performance microdosed drops that produce the targeted effects consumers seek. Each of our seven drops – GO for energy, GENIUS for focus and creativity, BLISS for mood enhancement and depression, LOVE for sex, arousal, and connecting with your heart, CHILL for anxiety and relaxation, and SLEEP for deeper rest – offers a cannabis experience like no other: precise, curated, and effective.
We like to say we’re turning plant medicine into human progress. By applying pharma-grade technology to plant-based solutions, we’ve created a multi-molecular approach that prioritizes safety, efficacy, and holistic wellness. For the first time, people can consume cannabis in a medicinal, fast-acting format that allows them to take charge of how they feel. Each of our Drops delivers results in under 20 minutes through microdosing – small, controlled amounts that provide therapeutic benefits without the overwhelming psychoactive effects. By focusing on targeted, medicinal benefits over the traditional ‘high,’ we’re making cannabis more accessible and transformative, driving forward the idea that better living starts with better plants.

Are there any new items you’re launching that you’re really excited about?
Absolutely! I’m especially excited about Relief, our newest addition to the 1906 product lineup and our very first gummy. Relief is a fast-acting gummy designed to address pain naturally and effectively without the need for traditional painkillers. It combines cannabis with powerful plant medicine to deliver targeted relief in 20 minutes or less. It’s a product that truly reflects our mission: creating cannabis experiences that work for people’s real needs, precisely when they need them.

Tell us about how you see cannabis as a tool for change in today’s world.
Cannabis is emerging as a powerful catalyst for change, not just in how we approach health and wellness, but in how we think about society, equity, and personal empowerment. It’s disrupting industries and reshaping outdated narratives, offering natural, holistic solutions to some of today’s most pressing issues – from managing anxiety and pain to enhancing focus, creativity, intimacy, and rest.
But beyond the personal benefits, cannabis carries the potential to drive systemic change. It’s a tool for social equity and justice, capable of creating economic opportunities in underserved communities and addressing the harms caused by decades of unjust, racially biased policies. The cannabis industry is uniquely positioned to uplift marginalized voices, promote diversity, and challenge the stigma that has long surrounded the plant.

At 1906, we believe cannabis is more than just a product – it’s a path to progress. We’re committed to turning plant medicine into human advancement by creating accessible, fast-acting, and precisely targeted cannabis experiences that empower people to live better, more intentional lives. By advocating for smart regulation, equitable access, and community reinvestment, we see cannabis as a vehicle for a healthier, more inclusive future – one where wellness, innovation, and justice intersect.

What does working with a mission-driven dispensary like Housing Works mean to the brand?
Working with Housing Works is deeply meaningful to us. Their mission to support underserved communities through housing, healthcare, and advocacy aligns with 1906’s core values. It’s more than a business partnership—it’s a shared commitment to making cannabis accessible and impactful. Together, we’re demonstrating how cannabis can serve as a force for good, supporting individuals and communities alike.

How does your brand address social equity in the cannabis industry?
Social equity is a cornerstone of 1906’s mission, and it’s deeply rooted in the very foundation of our brand. We actively support minority-owned businesses, prioritize equitable hiring practices, and contribute to organizations working to repair the harm caused by cannabis prohibition. Our name, 1906, serves as a constant reminder of the year the Wiley Act was passed, marking the start of cannabis prohibition and the racist war on drugs. Our mission is to bring cannabis back to its pre-prohibition status as a widely accepted plant medicine while addressing the injustices that prohibition created. By offering precise, effective products that meet real needs and expanding access to diverse communities, we’re embedding social equity into everything we do and working every day to build a more inclusive future.

Tell us about an initiative or program you’ve run that you’re proud of.
I’m incredibly proud of the launch of Relief, which marks our first foray into the gummies market. This product addresses one of the most common reasons people turn to cannabis: pain relief. Relief was met with incredible enthusiasm, selling out in dispensaries and online within the first two weeks of launch. What makes this initiative even more exciting is our dual-channel approach, offering Relief through dispensaries and our new direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform. By doing so, we’ve expanded access to customers seeking a fast-acting, plant-powered alternative to traditional painkillers—whether they’re seasoned cannabis users or new to the category. This milestone represents not only a major innovation for 1906 but also a significant step forward in redefining cannabis as a trusted tool for wellness.

Find 1906 at Housing Works Cannabis Co locations and Follow 1906 on Instagram.

Like many in my generation, I grew up as a “Just Say No” advocate, steeped in the fear-based rhetoric about drugs, especially cannabis. My views began to shift when I met my husband who challenged my beliefs, asking how I could demonize something I didn’t truly understand .. and was a just a plant.

My first experiences with cannabis were anticlimactic; I encountered none of the paranoia or inebriation I’d been warned about. Trying black hash changed everything and it “clicked”. I felt a profound lift in my mood. Cannabis became a daily companion, enhancing my focus and brightness. I went from simply smoking to experimenting like a mad scientist in the kitchen, whipping up teas, butters, and oral solutions for a more discreet and convenient way to consume.

Then, in 2002, everything took a darker turn as I became gravely ill. Random hives climbed across my skin, leaving me immobilized and in excruciating pain. After months of doctor visits and inconclusive tests, I finally received a diagnosis: a rare immune response that made my body attack itself and my vascular system during inflammation.

For years, I relied on a cocktail of 18 pharmaceuticals to manage my condition. However, with my doctor’s encouragement, I explored cannabis as a natural way to reduce inflammation. Remarkably, I was able to wean off all my medications.

Despite warnings that it would be “medically impossible” to carry a pregnancy to term, my doctor believed that pregnancy could induce remission. This belief, combined with the power of cannabis, led me to create Chime & Chill in 2018 centered around wellness and healing.

My journey with cannabis was a game-changer – it helped me shift from skepticism to a deep understanding of the plant’s potential. I’m humbled to share my story, which has led me to create a brand that’s passionate about empowering others to find their own path to wellness – one cannabinoid at a time.

-Are there any new items you’re launching that you’re really excited about

Chime & Chill focuses on rare cannabinoids in both supply and education. Our products are THC-Free. I love to isolate cannabinoids and identify how they can enhance elevation and offer different pathways to relief.

For 2025 I’m introducing a cannabinoid to the market that is rarer than rare – CBT which is short for “Cannabicitriol”. I’ve been formulating with it for several years and are excited to introduce it in our first vape and first chocolates next month!

Our vape will be a 1g disposable with CBD Distillate, CBC, CBG and CBT to create a happy, relaxed and calming sensation in your mind and body. Combined with THC consumption, it will help soften anxiety and paranoia while brightening your consumption.  Feedback has been great from our testers suffering from PTSD, anxiety and consumers looking to reduce tobacco consumption with a healthier alternative.

-How does your brand address social equity in the cannabis industry

As a women-owned and operated brand in New York, we prioritize partnerships with family-owned and women-led vendors to uplift the local cannabis market. Our mission is to make plant-based wellness accessible to everyone, recognizing that medical cannabis is a crucial component of equity. We’re committed to educating the aging, special needs, and mental health communities. This year, we launched our Spanish TRIO ChimeCard, taking the first step towards overcoming language barriers in cannabis education.

Tell us about a initiative or program you’ve ran that you’re proud of

I’m proud of our initiative, ‘Purpose Over Potency,’ which has gained traction in New York’s fiercely competitive market, where high THC levels often dominate the conversation. We emphasize intentional consumption, providing meaningful options and solutions, especially in the limited medical cannabis space. By prioritizing wellness over mere potency, we attract new consumers and help dispel the stigmas associated with cannabis use.”

-What does working with a mission-driven dispensary like Housing Works mean to the brand

As a long time educator and advocate, I’m so proud to be on the shelves in the first licensed Adult Use dispensary in NYS! It bonds our brand in the New York Cannabis community and creates revenue streams to help uplift communities. I love that we share a commitment to healthcare advocacy, accessibility and autonomy.