Anqunette “Q” Sarfoh spent 20 years as a television journalist and news anchor in West Layfette and South Bend (Indiana), Las Vegas, Boston, and Detroit. After eight years as the morning anchor for Fox 2 Detroit, Sarfoh retired due to the effects of multiple sclerosis. Through changes in diet and using cannabis, she went from taking nine medications a day to taking none and is an advocate for teaching others how to lessen their dependency on pharmaceuticals.

She is the founder of Qulture, which provides a line of CBD and THC infused products to address the needs of non-smokers. Sarfoh is a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, serves on the Board of NORML of Michigan, volunteers with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and League of Women Voters and often speaks to community and support groups about the safe and appropriate use of cannabis.

Area Code 420 (AC 420): You were a television news anchor for many years forced into retirement as a result of your multiple sclerosis (MS) medical challenge.

Sarfoh: Multiple sclerosis is an auto-immune disorder in which the body attacks the protective sheath around the nerves of the brain and spinal cord.  It is a progressive condition that often leads to a loss of mobility and cognitive skills. There is no cure.

AC 420: What health and medical issues were you facing? You were on many drugs.

Sarfoh: My symptoms began with short term memory loss and fatigue, which were dismissed by doctors as the result of a demanding career. I was still a morning TV news anchor at the time. I was placed on Adderall, and I thought that was the end of it until my legs gave out in my kitchen and I collapsed onto the floor. I eventually went to a neurologist and was diagnosed with MS. I was prescribed an MS treatment which entailed an injection three times a week and eight additional pharmaceuticals to manage the symptoms of the disease and the side effects of the treatments.

AC 420: Your husband suggested using cannabis. Did it work?

Sarfoh: Yes [she says emphatically]. MS causes muscle spasms and my muscle spasms were often in my stomach. After the third trip to the hospital for unrelenting vomiting, my husband suggested I just smoke a joint. The nausea abated and I was surprised that cannabis actually gave me a bit of energy. I was able to lessen my use of Adderall and eventually wean myself off all pharmaceuticals.

AC 420: CBD and cannabis also helped you with your inflammation?

Sarfoh: A hallmark of MS is chronic inflammation of the central nervous system. As CBD and cannabis are anti-inflammatory agents, I believe the plant is definitely addressing the underlying inflammation of my condition.

AC 420: Overall, what changes did you make? Were diet and exercise part of the equation?

Sarfoh: I have four dogs, so I try to walk them on a regular basis. But not all at once. I also practice yoga and meditation. I loosely follow the Wahls Protocol for a diet plan. Dr. Terri Wahls is a physician who also has MS.

She devised an eating regime to address MS.

AC 420: On a daily basis, what products do you use?   

Sarfoh: Well, here goes the product plug. I start my day with Qulture’s THCV Energy Tincture and a broad-spectrum CBD gummy. At night, I take Qulture’s Sleep Tincture and two Delta 8 gummies. If I have a backache or menstrual cramps, I use Qulture’s Relief Roll-On or Healing Balm. And all bubble baths feature a Qulture Care Bath Bomb. Lavender and Ylang-Ylang is my favorite.

AC 420: In addition to what you use, Qulture offers a wide range of products.

Sarfoh: We do. CBD, THCV, CBG, and Delta 8 tinctures, CBD and Delta 8 THC gummies, CBD capsules, a pain roll-on, a pain healing balm, and bath bombs. We plan to offer tea relatively soon.

AC 420: Are Qulture products also available for pets?

Sarfoh: Indeed. We have a pet tincture which is CBD blended with fish oil. My Rhodesian Ridgeback, Zayka, is eight years old and has a bit of arthritis. I put a dose of Qulture Pet Tincture on her food every day.

AC 420: Your health challenge led you to starting a whole new career.

Sarfoh: Sort of. I am still medically retired so my activities with Qulture are a labor of love. I believe in cannabis, and I cannot help but share what I have learned. So many people are hurting and dealing with stress and trauma. I like helping people feel better and guiding them as they learn about plant-based medicine. 

AC 420: What is Qulture’s mission? 

Sarfoh: Qulture’s mission mirrors my own personal mission and that is to alleviate pain and suffering in people and communities, elevate the image of cannabis and those who choose to use it, and educate consumers on the safe and effective use of cannabis.

AC 420: You are quite passionate about helping people with their health challenges.

Sarfoh: People contact me either by email or social media with all kinds of questions about how to use cannabis. I also receive inquiries from people with MS who want to know how I manage my condition. I often spend part of the day on the phone or emailing people answering their questions and giving them guidance on how to talk to their doctors about using cannabis for their conditions. I direct them to clinical trial data they can take to their doctors to start the conversation. I trained at the Institute for Integrative Health, so I counsel people on different types of eating strategies to complement their CBD use. Food is medicine.

AC 420: You created the Qulture Club. What is that?

Sarfoh: Qulture Club is the home of our online community and the website that features Qulture CBD and other cannabinoid products. In addition to purchasing products, visitors to the site can sign-up for our mailing list to receive word of our regularly scheduled events and High Tea Parties. Our parties are where people can meet others who have chosen to try CBD and cannabis and speak to a registered nurse to learn how to best use cannabis. Our sponsors vary, but have included the national cannabis company, CuraLeaf, and cannabinoid processor, Open Book Extracts. We also partner with more than 20 Michigan-based dispensaries which distribute Qulture High Tea Party Kits. When we have online events, people can purchase the kits and we can “sip and sesh” together.

AC 420: I believe the parties have gone mainstream?

Sarfoh: They have. The online parties are monthly and free to attend. Our in-person parties are quarterly and feature food, beverages, and of course, cannabis.

AC 420: How can people learn more about Qulture and your products?

Sarfoh: I invite readers to visit our website at QultureClub.com. 

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Sheldon Baker is a senior member of Baker Dillon Group LLC and has created numerous nutraceutical brand marketing communications and PR campaigns for many well-known supplement and food industry companies. For Area Code 420 interview consideration or brand marketing consulting, contact him at [email protected].