Every day, I come across inspiring people in the cannabis space, and Tolga is one of them. I first stumbled upon his page, The Weed Blog, while scrolling through LinkedIn. His reviews immediately caught my attention, not just for their depth but for how seamlessly they blended with articles on cannabis culture and psychedelics. His content stood out—thoughtful, educational, and aligned with how I think about the plant. After exploring more of his work, I felt compelled to reach out, and it didn’t take long before we were talking for hours, sharing stories and ideas.

Growing up in Australia, we often hear the same story: drugs are bad, but having a beer with friends or family is perfectly acceptable. For Tolga, things were a little different. Coming from a Turkish family who migrated to Australia, drinking and smoking were strictly off-limits—no ifs, ands, or buts. As a teenager, Tolga respected those rules, but like most of us, curiosity eventually got the better of him. His first experience with cannabis came as a young teenager, but it wasn’t until a few years later, when a best friend reintroduced him to the plant and its culture, that it truly became part of his life. That night was a crash course in rolling, roaches, strains, and genetics—the whole nine yards. Of course, it all ended with the classic munchie-fueled debrief, and Tolga was hooked.

By the time he turned 21, Tolga had a tight-knit crew of friends who regularly got together. His knowledge and experience grew as he explored more strains, figuring out what he liked and didn’t like—special shoutout to Mango Haze and Northern Lights. Leafly became a go-to resource, and his partner at the time introduced him to even more paraphernalia and keif. At this stage, cannabis was purely a personal passion, with no thought of it becoming a career.

But life had other plans.

Tolga faced challenges that many can relate to: struggles with mental health, chronic pain, and the pressures of corporate life. Cannabis, once a casual outlet, became a way to manage anxiety and navigate the toll of anti-depressants. Through this, Tolga developed a deeper respect for the plant, using it intentionally to support the life he wanted to live—a life with passion and purpose.

Eventually, he left his corporate job to start an online vape shop, which took off. But as often happens in this space, stigma reared its ugly head. Payment services refused to work with him, forcing him to fight just to keep his store running. Backed into a corner, Tolga leaned on his skills in cannabis knowledge, social media, marketing, and website development. That’s when The Weed Blog was born.

In just a few months, it blew up. Tolga began creating valuable, educational content about cannabis, connecting with people who shared his passion. For the first time, he had found his purpose: helping others learn about the plant and breaking down the stigma surrounding it.

Today, cannabis is a permanent part of Tolga’s life—not just socially, but as ongoing therapy. He’s found a balance, combining cannabis with nutrition, sports, and exercise to consume less while appreciating the plant more.

We spoke for over an hour, diving deep into his life. I’ll forever be grateful for how open Tolga was with me. Even as we laughed and shared jokes, I saw the serious side of his story—the struggles, the triumphs, and the unwavering passion that drives him. Conversations like these remind me why I love what I do.

Tolga’s journey is proof that real change comes from talking openly, showing the true side of cannabis that many people still don’t see—or refuse to believe. He’s one of the many leading the charge, and I can’t wait to see how he achieves his goals. His passion only grows stronger with time, and I feel lucky to have connected with him.

Make sure to check out his socials and give him a follow. Until next time—green dreams!

With love,

Harry

Healing, Hustle, and Herb

Ben The Hobby Grower