Taking The Source to St. Pete: Cannabis, Reggae, and a Birthday to Remember

This week I'm heading to St. Petersburg, Florida for Reggae Rise Up, one of the celebrated reggae festivals in the country. In reality, when you're this passionate about your work, the lines between business and pleasure blur in the best way.

I'm going as Rochelle Bradshaw, reggae vocalist and Brand Ambassador for The Source Dispensary & Apothecary in Rogers, Arkansas. These two worlds – reggae and cannabis – grew from the same root and have always been inseparable for me. And this trip is no exception.

Oh, and it just so happens to be my birthday celebration. 🎂 It’s Pisces season baby! 😀

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When Cannabis Culture and Music Culture Meet

If you know reggae, you already know that cannabis isn't a footnote in this culture – it's woven into the music, the community, the conversation, the healing. It's been that way for generations. Being in a space like Reggae Rise Up surrounded by artists, fans, and people who understand that connection on a deep level is a reminder of why the work we do at The Source matters.

At The Source, we've always believed cannabis is more than a product. It's a bridge. It brings people together, eases burdens, and creates the kind of ease that lets creativity flow. As a reggae artist who has toured the world, I've lived that truth firsthand. That’s part of why stepping into the Brand Ambassador role felt so natural, I wasn't just representing a cannabis dispensary in Northwest Arkansas. I was extending a conversation I'd been having my whole life.

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Representing The Source Wherever I Go

Whenever I travel to festivals and artist events, The Source comes with me. Not just in spirit, but in conversation. People in the cannabis and music world are genuinely curious. They want to know what Arkansas is doing, what patients are experiencing, and what innovation looks like in a state-licensed medical cannabis market. 

I LOVE getting to tell that story.

Our in-house product lines – In The Flow and The Source Apothecary – are products I'm genuinely proud to talk about. Developed right here in Arkansas, with our patients at the center of every formulation decision. From our Island Time gummies and Donny Burger flower to our Winter Tide vape carts, these products carry the same care and intentionality that goes into everything The Source does. When I'm at a festival surrounded by music and community, those are exactly the kinds of conversations that feel right.

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Why Reggae Rise Up Hits Different

Reggae Rise Up in St. Pete is one of those festivals that gets it right. The lineup is always a masterclass in reggae's global reach in roots, dancehall, and modern fusion like Cali reggae. The crowd is passionate and knowledgeable. And the atmosphere carries that unmistakable reggae warmth that, no matter how far I am from Portland, Jamaica where I grew up, always feels like home.

I'll be there soaking in every moment with artist credentials and all-access passes, courtesy of my friends in Rebelution, who close the main stage on Saturday night. I’m looking forward to every performance, to great conversations, and to representing Northwest Arkansas and The Source in rooms where cannabis culture and music culture intersect in the most authentic way.

And celebrating another trip around the sun while I'm at it. Let's go!

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What I Bring Back to Northwest Arkansas

Every experience I have outside of Rogers makes me a better Brand Ambassador when I return. I come back with new ideas, new connections, and a renewed sense of why this work is meaningful. 

The cannabis industry is evolving fast. Being plugged into the creative and cultural communities that have championed this plant for decades keeps our approach at The Source grounded in something real. Our patients deserve that depth — and they get it.

If you see me posting from St. Pete this weekend, know that I'm thinking about you: our patients, our community, our Northwest Arkansas family. You're always part of the picture, no matter where the music takes me.

And when I'm back, come find me at The Source in Rogers. I'll have stories to tell.

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Rochelle Bradshaw is the Brand Ambassador at The Source Dispensary & Apothecary in Rogers, Arkansas, and a Grammy-credited reggae vocalist and 2024 Northwest Arkansas Music Hall of Fame inductee. Follow her journey on Instagram @thesource.edu_.

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About The Source Cannabis Dispensary and Apothecary in Northwest Arkansas 

The Source Dispensary and Apothecary is a locally owned craft medical marijuana company located in Rogers, Arkansas, just off Exit 85 on Interstate 49. With its own boutique grow, lab, and kitchen, The Source produces and distributes its own unique products while also stocking the highest quality offerings from Arkansas's great cultivators. We value friendliness, education, quality, and inclusivity — making us a true destination dispensary serving patients in Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Springdale, and the greater Northwest Arkansas area. Visit us to explore Arkansas-grown craft cannabis flower, edibles, concentrates, vapes, and more. All Arkansas MMJ cardholders welcome!