Sturgis “Stu” Sundown

My name is Stu Sundown. I am 28 years old from the Tonawanda Seneca Indian Reservation in Basom, NY. I am currently a student at SUNY Niagara studying horticulture with an emphasis on cannabis. I decided to go back to school so I could learn more about the cannabis products I am selling and consuming. I work as a budtender at my uncle’s dispensary. My main goal was to gain more information about cannabis and bring that knowledge back to the rez and my customers. While at school I attended a cannabis conference and witnessed Chef K from NFCI create a cannabis-infused dish to show everyone that infusions can be gourmet not just baked goods and candy. After the demonstration, Chef mentioned he was hosting a cannabis class on school grounds. So I took a chance and applied for the culinary class and began my latest journey. I attended the culinary class hoping to learn how to infuse food for me and my friends but, found I have a passion for the kitchen. My newest goal is to one day be a private and personal Chef providing exquisite meals that are nutritious, delicious, and THC-infused. This was never something I saw myself doing until recently. I was fortunate enough to participate in the first-ever ACF-sanctioned cannabis cooking competition hosted at NFCI receiving a gold medal and placing first overall. This accomplishment has shown me I love being in a kitchen and now I have the chance to build a career by combining my two passions cannabis and food. I still have a semester left in horticulture and once I graduate I plan on attending NFCI to continue pursuing my culinary dreams. I can honestly say the only reason I am in the position I am in is because of cannabis! The opportunities that have risen for not just me but my reservation and people are amazing. Cannabis has always helped people but now it is changing lives!