I first heard about Elise McRoberts, aka “The Hashinista,” when I was working on a few projects in the cannabis industry some years ago. (She may not have realized it, but I had been to one of her very successful events, appropriately called High Society.)
Then, having seen her fire dance at a party in Sausalito just a few months ago, I had to get in touch.
What do you do? It’s always super hard for me to answer this question because I do so many different things. I suppose, professionally speaking, I am an entrepreneur, the creator and founder of Hashinista, a cannabis and wellness lifestyle brand. But I am equally passionate about being a hula hoop and fire dancer, performing monthly in Mill Valley’s own Boomerang Cabaret (@boomerangcabaret) and at other events around the Bay Area.
Where do you live? Mill Valley.
How long have you lived in Marin? Seven years.
Where can we find you when you’re not at work? Road biking, dancing, or, ideally, sailing.
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin is, where would you take them? On a cruise from Sausalito through Mill Valley to Stinson Beach, so they’d see the charm of the small town(s) and experience the grandness of the redwoods and the epic coast, all in one day.
What’s one thing Marin is missing?
Cannabis dispensaries and lounges, of course. But generally, nightlife and options for dining, drinking and socializing after 10pm.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites? It’s OK to share this beautiful land and county with more people.
If you could ask anyone to join you at dinner, whom would you invite? Super tough call between Jerry Garcia and Rihanna.
What’s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago? Be your most authentic, wild and free self. Trust your intuition, follow your heart and passion, not some idea of what (you think) society wants you to be.
What’s something that 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy? Hopefully, the way this society worships wealth and celebrity culture.
Big question. What’s one thing you’d do to change the world?
Dismantle the patriarchy. Can I say that? If not, then for sure: Legalize cannabis, psychedelics and all plant medicine.
Keep up with McRoberts at both @elisemcroberts and @thehashinista on Instagram.
Nish Nadaraja was on the founding team at Yelp and posts random stuff at @IveGotNissues. He’s also a dad to a cool teen and a little baby girl.
