A manifestation of lived experiences, Artemis articulates a path of rediscovery and reinterprets healing, liberated from its traditional associations. Personal journeys deepen a resolute purpose, guiding our mission to alleviate anguish and empower personalized wellness – we are here for you.
Our Founder – Colin Gardner
For every celebrated technological advancement, Colin Gardner believes that the human body remains the most remarkable machine. To understand the innate responses of this machinery, he is deeply interested in learning about the constituents that fuel and heal it. Growing up in Wisconsin surrounded by corn fields and being by his mother’s side as she encouraged him to explore different plants and herbs at the farmer’s market every week, Colin became interested in food science and farming practices at a young age.
At 18, Colin pursued culinary science and attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. His path placed him in different Michelin Star restaurants in New York and Los Angeles, allowing him the privilege of visiting many established farms and learning about different cultivation practices.
Colin had to revisit his beliefs on the human body’s capabilities and limitations when he lost his mother to cancer. He became interested in cannabis and cancer research, particularly exploring plant genetics and its potential for disease treatment. This also hits home when he started actively looking for CBD and cannabis products to help his girlfriend heal from interstitial cystitis and pelvic floor spasms. He went to Amsterdam, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, and spoke with farmers in Oregon, Vermont, and Colorado to search for the best plants and formulations. The birth of Artemis became a place for Colin to consolidate his findings and relentlessly pursue research in botanical pharmacology, extraction innovations, and biological farming practices.
“I never want to see a child grow up without a mom or have anyone witness their girlfriend in so much pain that she can’t move for days. I truly believe we need to rethink medicine – exploring ways to prevent disease and have holistic views to complement the current reductionist views in medicine. As much as I love plant biology, what keeps me going is knowing that I’m sourcing the best possible products to help Wendy combat her pain. And this is a prevailing thought that I have with every product that we carry – if I can’t confidently give this to someone I love, it does not belong at Artemis.” – Colin Gardner
Our Philosophy
We respectfully acknowledge the history of the Cannabis sativa plant – from its medicinal use for over thousands of years to the complex imbalance of social equity in the industry – we tread lightly with respect for the past, present and future. As members of this industry, our goal is to seek out and support BIPOC brands, and advocate for comprehensive reforms and legalization to help reinvest in communities harmed by the criminalization of marijuana.
This powerful plant – from the compound to the human level, we combine our understanding of science, botanicals, and extraction innovations to curate a collection of meticulously vetted CBD products for your consideration. As your wellness companions, we created a library of articles and Podcasts focusing on CBD and its potential therapeutic values. With Dr. Junella Chin, a world-leading cannabis physician, as our Chief Medical Advisor, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of pharmacokinetics.
We created Artemis to help you navigate this evolving landscape, to discover everyday moments of well-being, and to support your wellness journey. Weaving efficacy and relief together with the necessities of modern living, our goal is to provide a meaningful CBD experience that’s an ode to your life’s fullest expression.
Our Approach
We have a rigorous vetting process. We investigate widely to search for the best plant-based products. Curating by lab tests only, we require a Certificate of Analysis for each product. Even products that are packaged as “Full-Spectrum” or “THC-free” may be mislabeled and lack information on potency. With these third-party lab results, we also confirm that the lab itself is GMP and ISO certified, which are formal regulations put in place by the US Food and Drug Administration to establish a minimum level of quality in production of products and the maintenance of manufacturing processes.
After analyzing the reports paying close attention to potency (cannabinoid content), CBD:THC ratios, terpene levels, and contaminants, we personally test each product to collect information on sensory experience, onset time, digestion responses (if applicable), and more. We follow up with an internal vetting process with our Chief Medical Advisor. The final step is working closely with Dr. Junella Chin to gain clinical insight into how active ingredients affect whole body systems. This multi-layered approach gives us a holistic view, shaping our understanding of each product from the final formulation to its potential therapeutic benefits.
