Rachel Burkons is an acclaimed writer, educator, content creator, event organizer, and consultant specializing in hospitality, spirits, and safe systems of service for THC. After spending more than a decade working alongside major brands and suppliers in the wine and spirits industry to create trade-focused content and experiences, Rachel became an early leader in the cannabis hospitality space, building high touch consumer events across the country. She has consulted extensively on licensed consumption models, and worked closely with retailers, brands, and operators to create one-of-a-kind events and hospitality experiences.

As the legal hemp beverage market began to make inroads nationally, Rachel combined her years of experience in beverage and cannabis to work with brands to develop educational programs and events for consumers and on-premise hospitality trade. Her work focuses closely on safety and developing best practices for both operators and professionals serving these products on-premise.

In 2022, Rachel joined forces with the L.A. Spirits Awards to launch the High Spirits Awards, the nation’s first THC beverage tasting competition, where she now serves as Lead Judge. She has tasted and reviewed hundreds of THC beverages and is a thought-leader in applying traditional beverage evaluation techniques to this developing category. Rachel is also a beverage critic at Budist, where she has served as a judge for the California Cannabis Awards at the CA State Fair.

Rachel has presented on and created activations around these concepts at major events, including Tales of the Cocktail, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Nightclub and Bar Show, South by Southwest, James Beard Foundation, Benzinga, SommCon, and more.