The One-Stop Destination for All Things Culinary Cannabis

From education, to recipes, to the most influential people, places, and things driving cannabis forward, The Clever Root is the food-lover’s guide to the world of modern cannabis.

We illuminate the connection between cannabis and the farm-to-table movement by placing it at the table and shining a light on the work of people leading the way to grow our understanding of culinary cannabis.

meet the team

  • Rachel Burkons

    PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

    Rachel Burkons is a culinary cannabis entrepreneur and bong vivant and led the original launch of The Clever Root in 2015 during her time as the VP/Associate Publisher for M Dash Publishing. She is the co-founder of cannabis hospitality group Altered Plates, and is the founder of Smoke Sip Savor, where she creates entertaining, educational content and programming through the lens of cannabis food, drink and hospitality. She is passionately involved in the cannabis beverage industry, working alongside organizations such as The High Spirits Awards, the Cannabis Beverage Association, and Harmony Craft Beverages.

    Email her at rachel [at] thecleverroot [dot] com

  • Christina Wong

    CULINARY DIRECTOR

    Christina Wong is a cannabis food, drink and travel writer, creator, and baked baker in Los Angeles, California. In addition to The Clever Root, she’s founder & CEO of Fruit + Flower Co.; creator of Fruit + Flower Unfurled, a newsletter and podcast for culinary cannabis enthusiasts; and co-hosts Mogu Magu, an AAPI culture + food + cannabis collective. Her work has been featured in Thrillist, High Times, Plate, CannaCurious, and Kitchen Toke magazines.

    Email her at christina [at] thecleverroot [dot] com

  • Anna Russell

    BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

    Anna Russell has more than a decade of experience of financial and business management in the wine and spirits industry, where she has helmed the program at The Tasting Panel and The SOMM Journal. She received her MBA from California State University Northridge in 2021, and is the co-founder of A&B consulting, where she helps small businesses succeed in their financial operations and business development.

    Email her at anna [at] thecleverroot [dot] com