What’s The Tea: Etysha Mixon
CashColorCannabis sits down with Etysha Mixon, founder and CEO of Tee’s Teas, to talk cannabis, wellness, and how a cup of tea became a discreet gateway to healing.
CashColorCannabis: For those who may be new to your brand, can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do?
Etysha“Tees” Mixon: My name is Etysha Mixon, but everyone knows me as Tees. I’m the founder and CEO of Tee’s Teas. I create infused tea and wellness products designed to help people, especially those who may be hesitant about cannabis, experience the plant in a clean, natural, and intentional way.
CCC: Before the tea, how did cannabis first show up in your life?
EM: Cannabis has always been part of my life. Growing up, my father was a big advocate for cannabis and understood its medicinal value. The smell of a fresh joint actually brings back childhood memories of him. As I got older, I began using cannabis recreationally and eventually fell in love with the plant.
CCC: You’re also a trained chef. How did that background influence your approach to cannabis?
EM: I’m a retired chef with a culinary degree. I worked in five-star hotels and resorts, as well as institutions like schools and prisons. I’ve always believed in all-natural ingredients and growing your own food. Cannabis was something I naturally experimented with in the kitchen—from infusing food to working with the raw plant. That curiosity carried over into everything I create now.
CCC: Why tea? What made you choose the product to build around cannabis?
EM: Everything I create is designed to help someone I know or love. My mom was very anti-cannabis for most of her life. As my parents got older, I noticed them relying more on prescription pills, and I wanted to introduce cannabis to them in a gentle way. She drinks tea every morning, so it felt natural. I started with CBD tea blends and didn’t even tell her they were infused, I just asked for feedback on the flavor. She slept better, felt relief, and eventually became a full-on cannabis advocate.
CCC: Were you nervous about introducing cannabis to your mom that way?
EM: Not really, because I was very intentional. I didn’t start her with THC, and I was mindful of her past experience with cannabis. I wasn’t trying to get her high, I was trying to help her heal and understand that cannabis isn’t one-size-fits-all. Now she proudly claims she’s the CEO of the brand.
CCC: Cannabis tea still feels unfamiliar to many people. How do you address misconceptions?
EM: Education is key. All of my products are organic and all-natural, which comes directly from my culinary background. Tea makes cannabis more approachable, especially for elders who may have stigma around smoking. It’s an easier, more discreet way to consume, and it gives people the opportunity to try cannabis without fear.
CCC: Let’s talk about dosing something people are understandably cautious about.
EM: When I first started, dosing was much higher, but I realized I wasn’t serving the audience I created the product for. Once I went legal in California, dosing became standardized. Each tea bag contains 10mg, and steeping longer or double-steeping doesn’t increase the dose. If someone wants more, they can add our infused honey, which also works as a natural sweetener. The goal is consistency and safety.
CCC: What has it been like building this brand in California?
EM: California is a blessing and a challenge. The market is oversaturated, and being a Black woman with a product people haven’t seen before made it harder at first. Some dispensaries didn’t know how to categorize tea. But once people try it, the product speaks for itself. That’s what keeps me going.
CCC: Do you plan to expand beyond California?
EM: Absolutely. New Jersey, Colorado, Michigan, Washington, and colder climates are on my list. Tea makes a lot of sense in those environments because it’s discreet and accessible. You can walk down the street with a cup of tea and no one knows. I’m also working toward Chicago and Nevada, especially given the crossover between travel and tourism.
CCC: Tee’s Teas goes beyond tea. Can you share more about your wellness line?
EM: Yes, everything I create solves a real problem. I have a beauty line with organic shea butter sourced directly from Africa, a topical roll-on for pain relief, and even a pet care line that came from helping my dog with seizures. Cannabis is incredibly beneficial for the skin and overall wellness, and I’m excited to make these products more widely available online.
CCC: What’s your vision for the brand by the end of this year?
EM: I want to be in more states and have my CBD line fully launched so people can get familiar with the brand before we expand THC products. Trust is everything. I want people to know that Tee’s Teas is organic, intentional, and created to help—not just sell.
CCC: Where can people find you and learn more?
EM: You can find us on all social platforms at Tees Teas LLC, and shop online at teesteashop.com. Everything. Events, products, and updates start there.
