Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chez McGavock. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Chez, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Canna Town started as my response to how misunderstood and stigmatized cannabis has always been in communities like mine. I’ve seen firsthand how much healing, creativity, and connection the plant brings, and I wanted to create a brand that reflects that truth instead of the old stereotypes.

The mission is simple: use culture to normalize cannabis. Through bold city-themed designs and everyday streetwear, Canna Town lets people rep their hometown pride and their relationship with the plant in a loud, proud, and authentic way. It’s more than merch — it’s a lifestyle movement.

We also use the brand to give back and create awareness, donating a portion of sales to causes like Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Minority Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention. And through collaborations, events, and education, we’re working to shift the narrative around cannabis and uplift the communities that built the culture.

At its heart, Canna Town is a community with no physical address — a place for anyone who believes in the power of cannabis, local pride, and living unapologetically themselves.

Chez, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The brand really grew out of my lived experience — seeing how cannabis was part of everyday life for so many people, yet rarely represented in a positive or authentic way. I wanted to create something that honored the culture instead of hiding from it.

Canna Town creates apparel that celebrates the places we come from and the lifestyle we embrace. Our collections feature bold city-focused designs, clean graphics, and comfortable everyday wear that lets people proudly represent both their hometown and the plant that has shaped so much of their creativity, healing, and identity. We offer shirts, hoodies, hats, stickers, and other pieces that carry that same message of pride and openness.

One of the biggest problems we address is the continued stigma around cannabis. A lot of people still feel like they have to whisper about something that’s been part of their story for years. My brand helps shift that by making cannabis visible in a way that’s stylish, positive, and rooted in real culture — not stereotypes. Canna Town gives people permission to show up as themselves and feel seen doing it.

What really makes us different is our focus on community and purpose. Each month we highlight important causes — from mental health to epilepsy to breast cancer to suicide prevention — and donate a portion of sales to organizations making an impact. The brand isn’t just about clothing; it’s about connection, representation, and giving back to the people who support us.

What I’m most proud of is the movement that has formed around the brand. Canna Town has become a space where people from different cities and backgrounds can feel welcomed and understood. Whether someone connects with the message, the mission, or the style, my goal is to make them feel like they belong to something meaningful.

More than anything, I want people to know that Canna Town is built on authenticity. It’s for anyone who loves their city, respects the culture, and believes in embracing who they are — unapologetically.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think the biggest thing that helped me build my reputation in this space is consistency — not just in posting or selling, but in showing up with the same message, the same energy, and the same values every time. From day one, Canna Town has stood on authenticity. I never tried to fit into what people think a cannabis brand “should” look like. Instead, I leaned into culture, hometown pride, and real community storytelling, and people connected with that.

At the end of the day, I think my reputation was built on three things: authenticity, community, and purpose. When people can feel your intention and see your consistency, they naturally support you and talk about your work in a positive way. That’s how Canna Town earned its place in the market.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I first started Canna Town, I didn’t have a big following or a perfect strategy. What I did have was a message I believed in and the willingness to show up every day. I built my audience by keeping everything real — real stories, real culture, real conversations. I talked to people like they were already part of the community, and slowly, that community formed for real.

I also leaned into the type of content that felt natural to the brand: city pride, cannabis lifestyle, humor, education, and behind-the-scenes moments. People gravitated toward that because it didn’t feel forced. When followers can see your face, your process, your values, and the heart behind your work, they feel connected — and that connection is what builds loyalty online.

Another important piece was consistency and engagement. I replied to messages, shouted out supporters, collaborated with creators, and actively participated in the cannabis community. Instead of waiting for people to come to me, I went where they were — events, hashtags, conversations, and other pages doing meaningful work. Showing up for people made them show up for me.

My advice to anyone building their social media presence is simple:

• Be genuine. People can tell when you’re trying too hard, and they can definitely tell when you’re being yourself.
• Stay consistent. Even if only 5 people interact at first… keep posting. Those 5 can turn into 50, then 500, then 5,000.
• Engage like it matters. Respond, uplift, collaborate, and build relationships — not just followers.
• Tell your story, not someone else’s. Your uniqueness is your advantage.
• Don’t chase viral — chase value. If your content teaches, inspires, entertains, or connects… your audience will grow naturally.

Social media didn’t build my brand — the community did. Social media just gave us a place to meet.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecannatown.com
• Instagram: @cannatown_420
• Facebook: Canna Town
• Other: X: CannaTown420