Meet the woman who gets paid $37 an hour to use cannabis.
Kayla Gerber, 27, was selected from almost 25,000 applicants to land her ‘dream job’ as an expert on the ‘Cannabis Curation Committee’ for Toronto-based cannabis brand AHLOT (A Higher Level of Thinking)
Kayla samples different strains of the plant and rates them for physical qualities, smell, and taste. She also evaluates the effects on the body and mood – such as changes in appetite, energy, creativity and sociability.
Only eight people were chosen for the highly coveted role, after a seven month selection process by AHLOT to test the company’s products and create various ‘sample packs.’
‘When I found out I’d got the job I lost my mind, I got up and started dancing, my mind was totally blown, it was so surreal,’ Kayla told DailyMailTV. She also works as a dance teacher and a ‘patient educator’ for a medicinal cannabis clinic in Ontario.
Kayla Gerber, 27, is one of eight people selected to work as an expert on the Cannabis Curation Committee for marijuana company AHLOT (A Higher Level of Thinking), testing the company’s different strains of weed, vapes and bongs
After several interviews, including a video submission, Kayla was informed that she’d made the top 20 cut.
On April 1 she was offered the job, and is now required to work for up to 20 hours a month, evaluating not only cannabis but also ‘consumption accessories’ such as vaporizers, pipes and bongs and storage accessories to retain freshness.
‘It’s was a long process but I am really in the dream job of a lifetime, I’m working alongside seven other people who are outstanding, diverse and well educated in the field,’ added Kayla, who first applied for the job in August 2018.
AHLOT provides the samples, which the Cannabis Curation Committee take using their preferred methods.
The contract is part time, with earnings of $1,000CAD or $750USD per month during Kayla’s year-long contract.
‘My friends and family said ”this is definitely the job for you,” they’re very proud of me, they think it’s a great fit,’ said Kayla, who has been using cannabis since she was 15 years old.
‘When I was ten I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which is incredibly painful,’ said Kayla, who was prescribed a litany of medicines, which barely eased her suffering.
‘I was living in misery from pain, taking about twelve medications every day, but sometimes I could hardly move, so I had to look for alternatives,’ said Kayla who discovered that weed and CBD oil could significantly reduce her pain.
She now takes no prescription medications and leads a busy and physically active life.
The job entails sampling different strains of the plant and rating them on physical qualities, smell and taste, as well as effects on the body and mood. The Canadian dance teacher will work for up to 20 hours a month, getting paid $37 an hour
‘I am a black woman, who would typically be victimized for using cannabis, now I’m sitting on the curation committee and speaking publicly about the benefits,’ Kayla told DailyMailTV
‘I’m the opposite of the stigmatized ”stoner” stereotype, someone sitting on the couch munching out,’ she said.
‘I’m a huge brainiac, a huge nerd, and I’m really active with fitness, theatre and dance.’
Martin Strazovec, EVP and Chief Creative Officer at AHLOT likened the job to wine tasting
After recreational marijuana was legalized in Canada last autumn, Kayla saw an opportunity to help others suffering from chronic pain and certain psychological conditions.
‘Working as a patient educator for those seeking medical marijuana I hear the best stories,’ she said.
‘The other day a woman with severe anxiety told me that she had been able to leave the house and drive a car for the first time in a year since using CBD oil.’
The cannabis connoisseur is keen to note that the substance must be used with caution.
‘Anyone who is thinking of trying cannabis for the first time, either for recreational use or medicinal purposes, should get educated first,’ she advised.
‘It’s also so important to be very careful with dosing, we always go for micro doses, ”low and slow” is the mantra.’
Martin Strazovec, EVP and Chief Creative Officer at AHLOT, likened the job to wine tasting.
‘The quantities we supply are very low and we’ve created guidelines around that, the evaluation of a strain is like the evaluation of a wine, wine tasters spit after every taste, because they don’t want to get progressively drunker, the aim is to stay sharp enough to analyze each strain effectively,’ he said.
Kayla began smoking at 15 after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 10, and now uses weed and CBD oil to quell her pain instead of medication
‘It’s quite scientific, each member of the curation team was given a microscope, to evaluate the minute properties of each sample,’ Strazovec continued.
‘We’re proud to help Canada on the world stage, to show that legalization can happen responsibly.’
‘It’s really beautiful to see the progression here in Canada,’ added Kayla.
‘I am a black woman, who would typically be victimized for using cannabis, now I’m sitting on the curation committee and speaking publicly about the benefits.’
Kayla says she has never felt any negative effects from cannabis, but she has advice for anyone who does.
‘Black pepper and CBD oil can counteract nausea that might be experienced after taking cannabis,’ she said.