PUSHING POT AT PAGEANT
Miss Universe hopeful from Tecumseh unafraid to champion ‘touchy subject’
Miss Universe hopeful adds a twist
Beauty pageants and pot promotion will share the same glamorous spotlight this December when Tecumseh native Alyssa Boston represents the country as Miss Universe Canada with a pro-cannabis twist.
The 24-year-old beauty queen told the Star she plans to make the case for global marijuana legalization during the Miss Universe competition Dec. 8 in Atlanta.
Her approach to that pot pitch is still a secret, but she admitted television viewers would be seeing green during her time on stage.
“It’s a little different for a beauty queen to talk about cannabis,” Boston said. “It’s something that we’re very proud of here in Canada. It’s a brand new industry and there’s a lot of potential that we see in the future. I’m happy to bring awareness to it in a whole different light.”
Miss Universe contestants in recent years have been asked about cannabis during the competition’s question period.
In 2015, Miss Australia Monika Radulovic praised its medicinal applications and stated she supported its legalization. Last year, overall Miss Universe winner Catriona Gray from the Philippines said she was in favour of cannabis legalization for medical uses, but not recreational.
“I’m pretty proud to actually have the knowledge about it and speak about it,” Boston said.
She visited Aphria Inc.’s Leamington greenhouse this month to learn more about the industry’s production side.
“No one really wants to talk about it because it’s a touchy subject, especially internationally.”
She acknowledged the possible risk of bolstering pot in front of judges who might come from countries where pot possession and sales remain illegal.
“I think me bringing it up brings awareness about it and gets people talking, not only in Canada but internationally as well,” she said. “I want to raise awareness.”
The business side of weed drew Boston’s interest, she said. She graduated from the University of Windsor with a bachelor of commerce degree in 2017. She said she does not partake in cannabis consumption.
The relationship between the marijuana black market and the legal industry “caught my eye,” she said. She noted that both appear to be run predominantly by men.
“I feel empowered to be a woman and speak about a male- dominated field,” Boston said.
Breaking glass ceilings is a major objective of Boston’s.
During the live and televised Miss Universe pageant on Dec. 8, judges will critique contestants in categories including personal statement, interview, swimsuit and evening gown.
Boston did not reveal how she planned to incorporate cannabis promotion into the show’s various sections, but said promotional material for the Miss Universe live show leading up to the competition will give away more details.
“I think a lot of people will be in shock,” she said. “There’s a surprise coming up.”
If Boston wins, she will be assigned a one-year contract with the Miss Universe Organization to travel around the world promoting public awareness of disease control and peace, among other things. She will also receive a cash allowance and have access to living accommodations in New York at no cost.
“It’s pretty huge,” said Boston, who compared the Miss Universe competition to the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup Final. “This is my dream that I’ve worked about seven years for.”