Chill Out, Recharge with Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center in Pescadero, CA

Story, photos/video by Cassie Hepler

I’ve been writing essays about how marijuana should be legalized for medical purposes and beyond since high school (and also the ice caps melting, but that’s another story). So when I got an invite to check out the Goddess Ganja Getaway, I went for it. When people asked what is was, I would reply that I had no clue, and honestly, I didn’t. Not one to shy away from adventure, I boldly went where most East Coasters have not gone before.

The website copy says the Original Ganja Goddess Getaway, “is an all-inclusive retreat filled with cannabis, camping, food and fun. It’s a retreat for women focusing on ways to use cannabis as a creative tool and spiritual medicine. The Getaway is a 3 day, 2 night (Friday at noon – Sunday at noon) gathering to create adequate time to fully get away and decompress from daily life. Our intention is that each goddess leave the Getaway renewed and refreshed and ready to be the best version of herself.”

When the time began approaching, I was wondering just what I got myself into. Then I realized it was camping, but was reassured by co-founder Sailene Ossman that there are real beds, a yurt and more places to rest my picky scoliosis fusion back. I’ve always wanted to stay in a yurt in nature, so that immediately excited me. I saw a lot of New Age plans on the itinerary too which also sparked my curiosity as I’ve always been half hippie, half businesswoman (mom = hippie, dad = businessman). The instructions said bring an overnight bag and they provide group tents and all the amenities including: bathrooms, seating, tables, all meals, snacks and desserts and of course unlimited cannabis buffet. Classes, workshops, exhibits and activities were also included.

I rolled in right before noon on Friday after a pretty chaotic drive leaving Phoenix, AZ and arriving at a bunk Google Maps coordinate link from AirBnB to San Diego. Yes, you read that right. So I drove – all in one day – all the way from San Diego to Bakersfield area, crashed overnight and enjoyed the majestic Pacific Coast drive that morning, arriving at the Venture Retreat Center in Pescadero, CA. I was already elated to not have to drive for a few days. People were rolling in, getting set up and signed in. Newbies got black tags, old schoolers got pink. A lovely fellow yurt loving lady showed me around, where the yurt was and everyone was super friendly. I wanted to get a lay of the land and my videos and photos in before chaos ensued…

The beginning of an adventure to Venture Retreat Center for Ganja Goddess Getaway.

I found my yurt with help from a new friend, tucked back away from all the noise at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

I found a spot farther away from the fireplace as I like it cold at night at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

The outhouse right outside our yurt at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center. There were cedar chips which work surprisingly well to keep it fresh. There were other real bathrooms too if this is too crunchy for you.

There’s nothing like a hot shower on a cool morning at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center. This one also was solar powered and got to scalding if you like it hot!

Somebody’s stash box was rather amusing at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

The tent community found their spot near the trees at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

The welcome committee at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center. Ladies with green aprons were part of the staff and very helpful! Checkin included verifying IDs, getting your Polaroid taken and wristbands.

The tent where a lot of activities took place at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

Might as well get things going right off the bat, check in and smoke a doobie at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

Some vendors had tents set up to sell goods at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

Art on the right and tarot cards on the left for whoever to do readings at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

What you’ve all been waiting for… the marijuana edibles at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center. Twenty milligrams is a lot for newbies so soon things were cut in half for a nibble.

This is Gorilla Glue used for dabs at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center. To see it in action, watch the videos below.

Two happy ladies already in their blissful element next to the buffet at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

Take the full tour above on our YouTube channel video and meet co-founder Sailene Ossman of Ganja Goddess Getaway too.

The pool and lodge where the amphibians gathered at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

The hot tub where beautiful moments happened and chill time for me at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

No alcohol at this retreat it was strictly marijuana which worked well as everyone was asleep by around midnight if not sooner at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

Munchies are always a good idea to start with at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

I was drawn to color these dope drawings at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

One of the many symbols that the retreat commits to at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

Lunch time! First day was sandwiches and sides and I might have went a bit overboard with my plate at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

We had a warm welcome by the other co-founder Deidra Bagdasarian better known as Miss Bliss. After our bellies were full and we all had a schedule of activities which we were encouraged to attend – or not if a nap was in order, we went to shake it off with belly dancing with Heather Leona.

Here was the weekend’s schedule at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

A totally dope artist at Ganja Goddess Getaway, Aries Art.

Belly dancing class begins! I was all in until we started doing some crazy jumping footwork as I am a klutz, I bowed out gracefully.

Back to the marijuana buffet, I was super curious as to what everything was at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Dab in motion at Ganja Goddess Getaway, watch the video below for it in motion. It’s like a science experiment gone right!

A very happy dab of Gorilla Glue at Ganja Goddess Getaway!

Next up was inclusivity class with The Cannasexual, Ashley Manta where a few of us listened in and hollered from the hot tub. Then I dried off joined in with a fun laughter yoga class with Claire Powell. Dinner was up next and you know that stoners will only have the best food, right?

Pure brilliance hiring a taco truck the first night for dinner at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

You know these tacos were amazing at Ganja Goddess Getaway, we might have had a quesadilla too!

The biggest pipe ever’s owner demonstrating how huge it is at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

The biggest pipe ever at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

It was a cool night, so we nixed the fireside Soundbath with Kayren Pace and did it inside the lodge. It was amazing and spiritually uplifting. Light provided only by a few flickering candles, we did group meditation and then Kayren blessed each one of us individually where I saw the telltale white light with my eyes closed. It instantly infused everyone with relaxation and soon people were snuggled in bed. That night was a bit awkward for me as it was hella dark getting in my cot but once I got comfy, it was lights out instantly.

Mindfulness meditation the next morning with Mama Sailene was a great way to start the day followed by breakfast.

The spinach quiche was the star of the elevated continental style breakfast at Ganja Goddess Getaway

After breakfast, we made crafts with Mindie Gum-Grivel Can you tell which one is mine?

Right after that, I was drawn to this tent and the lady in it is a chef who makes fine dining edible marijuana dinners. She was helping her daughter set up who I would later go to for a reading to confirm my vision.

Ganja Goddess Getaway astrology tent getting set up for Dreya Frankhuizen’s readings.

Drey Vibes was her name at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

And reading people was the name of her game at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

She seemed like my kind of people and for that price, you can’t beat a good reading. She even emailed me later the whole chart and let me pay her when I had full cell service through PayPal again at Ganja Goddess Getaway. What did she say? Well, that’s personal, but I can tell you she was spot on.

A buffet of delicious food for lunch at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Of course right after that there was more food and it always tasted so good! We went around the world by the end of the retreat I’m pretty sure. Chinese never tasted so good and the pool was calling me…

I found my fellow amphibian friends at the pool and soaked up the sun while it lasted at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

I opted for pool time while the empathy class was happening as sometimes I have too much with Kelly Hanner. And by early afternoon the sun was moving along again and I didn’t want to miss the High Times writer’s class about healthy edibles with Elise McDonough!

Edibles on top of this avocado salad? Yes please at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

The Goddess salad dressing only had 2 milligrams per serving at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Elise also talked about using olive oil and other prepared items at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

An advocate for ages, Elise is a former High Times Magazine writer at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Infused balls of deliciousness and health at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Vegan chocolate pudding that tasted like the real deal at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

These ladies like nice balls at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Then Miss Bliss appears with a 1,000 milligram cake at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

We all sing happy birthday to the ladies who decided to go out in style at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

And then I got cold. Like cold to the bone cold and went back to the yurt to warm up in my sleeping bag. And I’m not gonna lie, I fell asleep hard and fast – with my sunglasses still on and like a vampire, arms crossed and all. I was exhausted and my body was protesting, so I gave in and took the most epic, juicy nap ever. There was a self love talk with Anne Semans and a women in cannabis panel along with dinner and fireside show and share which I missed. I remember smelling the campfire, but my body would not move so I drifted back asleep until 11 p.m., emerged and everyone was asleep. I scavenged for food (missed the s’mores d’oh) and then found myself back at the hot tub, enjoying an almost midnight soak solo. And it was heavenly with the night sky, trees and mountains. It was easy to fall back asleep after that and I was bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning.

Breakfast cake because why not at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Just a friendly little PSA at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Before everyone scattered away, we got a group shot at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Jumping right back into mindfulness meditation with Mama Sailene was another great start to the day and some healthy breakfast.

We also grabbed our little love notes and polaroid pics which I left others some love too at Ganja Goddess Getaway. It also helps keep track of everyone’s name.

Back in the tent with joints passed around for the next class at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Astrology up next and star signs with “Universal Answers” by Dreya Frankhuizen was fun and brought each star sign together. Us Virgos love making lists and crossing them off!

Dreya Frankhuizen breaks it down by star sign at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Dreya Frankhuizen explains Oprah’s astrology chart at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Soon it was time to start packing up and leaving. Miss Bliss and Mama Sailene did their final goodbyes and some awesome surprises for attendees.

Lots of hugs at Ganja Goddess Getaway where Mermaid Diana was welcoming back free of charge to the next retreat.

A Miami, Florida advocate also was welcomed back with open arms at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

Two more lovely ladies were given gift certificates to future Ganja Goddess Getaway. They even wanted to pay it forward to someone who really needed to come.

The helpful staff and volunteers at Ganja Goddess Getaway. For the 420 retreat there were 150 women I can’t even imagine!

One last walkabout before heading out at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

The lucky people who weren’t driving got to imbibe some more like this chocolate cake at Ganja Goddess Getaway. A lot of ladies loaded up edibles and joints for the road.

I’m gonna miss you cool pool at Ganja Goddess Getaway at Venture Retreat Center.

And all the lovely smells of nature at Ganja Goddess Getaway.

After I left, I felt fulfilled and had to capture the Pacific Coast.

I had a friend ask me if it was a bunch of women talking about inequality. No, it was not. As a matter of fact, it was women from all walks of life highly educated professors to straight up stoners supporting each other with no drama. Hugs were given freely. Because that’s how you make change is by empowering yourself and other women around you. I only wish men would start something similar and elevate their spiritual growth. It didn’t matter where you lived, who you voted for, what color your skin – none of that. No nonsense, no pressure. As it should be. Would I go back? Sure, except maybe with more layers or full on Snuggies which was popular. I will be much more tempted if they have one in Jamaica though… apparently No Cal is too chilly for me anymore!

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