Since the pandemic, more than 70,000 restaurants, diners, and cafes in the US have closed. And many places that did manage to reopen didn’t make it long. Another thing that happened during the COVID lockdown; CBD and THC skyrocketed in popularity. Now, cannabis appears to be giving a new lease on life to some formerly-shuttered eateries. In this episode, host Brit Smith talks to Chef Andrew LeSturgeon and Will Fleming of Milkweed Cannabis Confections in Burlington, VT about how their infused confectionary line is revitalizing their culinary brand post-pandemic. As Chef Andrew explains, their famed fine diner 'Monarch and the Milkweed' closed its doors in 2020, but they were able to keep their line of CBD confectionary 'Milkweed Cannabis Confections' going. Eventually, after months of closure, Andrew and Will saw a silver lining and decided to rethink their mission with their popular cannabis candies at the forefront. Now, they're making their post-pandemic comeback by focusing solely on their CBD and THC line of treats. Andrew and Will discuss the experience of closing their restaurant, and how it forced them to pivot and incubate their existing CBD chocolate line. They also talk about the importance of staying true to their roots by continuing to use high-end local ingredients, while infusing it with local organic full-spectrum cannabis for Vermont and Massachusetts consumers. Get your issue of Different Leaf magazine at DifferentLeaf.com or find your local in-person seller at DifferentLeaf.com/on-the-newsstand Look dope with some Different Leaf merch from xDifferentLeaf.com Follow us on social media @DifferentLeaf and find host Brit Smith @BritThe British We'll be back in mid-October with our fall podcast season!