The EXHALE Day Party & Wellness Tour is reshaping cannabis culture through its inclusive, femme-led approach to community building. Founded by Fame Neal and Rachele Sanchez, what began as an underground Philadelphia gathering has blossomed into a groundbreaking national movement. The tour deliberately bridges cannabis and LGBTQ+ communities while advocating for decriminalization in Black and Latinx spaces, creating environments where wellness, education, and holistic experiences take precedence over traditional industry norms.
Impact Beyond Numbers
What inspired Neal and Sanchez to create a femme-led cannabis event in an industry dominated by masculine branding? With cannabis wellness tourism projected to reach figures in the billions as legalization continues to sweep the nation, the EXHALE Tour stands at the intersection of opportunity and purpose. Their 2024 tour impressively registered 1,000 participants, partnered with 8 Black and Latinx wellness providers, and awarded 3,000 business scholarships; all while maintaining a social media community of over 17,000 followers who are predominantly women.
How does the EXHALE Tour balance creating safe spaces with the mission of destigmatizing cannabis use? The organization’s focus on “Community + Wellness + Joy” seems to resonate deeply with conscious consumers seeking experience-based travel. Their programming emphasizes mental wellness and community-focused activism alongside women’s empowerment—but how do they measure success beyond attendance numbers?
With four Black and Latinx-owned venues hosting their events in 2024, how does the EXHALE team select partners that align with their values? Their curated wellness activations blend cannabis education with plant-based healing, while providing networking opportunities for impact-driven businesses that prioritize community impact. The 2025 tour promises to build on this foundation, creating more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals to engage meaningfully with cannabis culture.
Join the Movement: Connect, Support, Engage
Hear from the EXHALE Tour organizers as they share their vision for expansion, partnerships, and creating safe spaces in challenging times.
Is the EXHALE Tour planning to expand to the West Coast in the near future, and what unique elements might those events incorporate compared to your East Coast gatherings?
“Yes! We’re making our way to the Midwest then to the West Coast. As our sponsorship portfolio expands, so does our ability to take the tour to new locations. We’re especially excited about Chicago, LA, and soon to come D.C. Our goal is to spread as much joy around the plant as we can.”
What unique elements might those events incorporate compared to your East Coast gatherings?”
“Every city and state we visit has something different to offer culturally, aesthetically, environmentally, talent-wise, not to mention every city has its own needs, issues, and legal climate surrounding the plant. With that being said, the production tends to take form around the culture that already exists. That’s important to us because we could be looked at as outsiders when we’re not in Philly and New York. We want people to know that we’re here to celebrate their culture, highlight their community, and amplify their stories. The blueprint for EXHALE, however, doesn’t change: Good Vibes, Great People, Dope DJs, and Plant Cannabis.”
Who are the sponsors and partners supporting the EXHALE Tour in 2025, and how do these collaborations enhance the attendee experience while advancing your mission?
“We are still meeting with potential sponsors and partners and onboarding new ones. To date we have on boarded and finalized partnerships with:
- The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA)
- The Highly Connected App
- OUTSmart NYC
- Canna Town
- Web Infusion
- Chef Manja La Ganja
- Lady Buddha Cannabis LLC
- Puff-N-Pose
Highlighting these brands is critical to our economic growth as a community so EXHALE prioritizes Black, BIPOC, Latinx, Woman, and LGBTQ businesses from vendors to educators to wellness providers. Over the next few weeks we’ll be confirming some really dope sponsors so look out for that.”
How is the EXHALE Tour navigating the current political climate affecting LGBTQ+ rights while creating safe cannabis spaces for these communities?
“The EXHALE Tour is committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all individuals, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community. In light of the current political climate, where we’ve seen a concerning rollback of LGBTQ+ rights and DEI protections, it has become more important than ever to foster environments that prioritize safety, joy, and inclusion.
One of the ways we’re actively addressing these challenges is through our collaboration with OUTSmart NYC. At our EXHALE NYC event, OUTSmart NYC will provide invaluable support by offering safety advocacy services to ensure that guests can engage in the event without fear of harassment. Their team will be on hand to help create a space where attendees feel supported and protected.
Cannabis has long been a tool for healing, and through EXHALE, we aim to provide that healing in a way that destigmatizes plant medicine in communities of color. However, given the political landscape and the ongoing attacks on Black and LGBTQ+ rights, spaces like EXHALE become more crucial than ever. We believe in the power of inclusivity, and in this time of uncertainty, our mission to provide safe, healing spaces is essential. EXHALE is not just about cannabis; it’s about people—connecting, healing, and growing together through shared experiences.
In response to the harmful re-targeting of Immigrants in the United States we’re currently looking to support organizations which provide resources to the immigrant community. While Cannabis organizations are our usual donation targets—we find it important to give back in a way the community itself needs. Now, our work is more necessary than ever. We are proud to continue to advocate for ALL rights, ensuring that EXHALE Wellness events remain a safe and empowering space for everyone.”
For those interested in experiencing this innovative approach to cannabis community building, visit www.exhalesocial.com to learn more about upcoming events in Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington D.C. Stay tuned for the 2025 tour ticket announcement, and contact the organizers directly for sponsorship opportunities to support this historic movement that’s redefining how we think about cannabis, community, and cultural inclusion.
Photo Credits: Exhale Social
Veronica Castillo is a Communications Strategist and published writer who brings over a decade of experience from insurance and HR to her current role as Communications Manager at the Minority Cannabis Business Association. Following her early career in insurance law and human resources, she established herself as the Traveling Cannabis Writer, publishing over 200 articles and managing multiple magazine columns while documenting stories across the United States. As a communications specialist and Board Member for MCBA, she develops comprehensive marketing strategies, secures national media coverage, and champions equity in the cannabis industry through policy and empowerment initiatives. Her expertise spans crisis communications, strategic media relations, and integrated marketing campaigns that drive organizational growth and meaningful engagement.Vee has relocated to Puerto Rico to help build the bridge between the mainland and its colony. You can follow her journey on her website, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn.