Dancehall artiste Aidonia launched his own cannabis strain, Banga Kush, on Wednesday.

The event was held at Epican Medicinals at Marketplace on Constant Spring Road in St Andrew. Aidonia is the company’s brand ambassador.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Aidonia explained the inspiration to create his own cannabis strain.

“From a longer while, you know, wi use marijuana inna wi life. Once the chance came about, we being a part of the Epican brand, that was just the focus to put something out there weh wi know say wi name attached to it and just the quality like what Epican produces. Having my own strain was always a goal and a dream,” Aidonia disclosed.

For the past four years, Aidonia has been aligned with the Epican family. He described the relationship.

“Well, it’s a family. Epican just saw something different in me being a brand ambassador. That was just a different level for me, corporate and Jamaica and the world looking at me, so from there the family started and its been a great partnership. We throw ideas across the board, and we just work for the best for each other,” he said.

He said the alignment with Epican has helped brand Aidonia.

“It has helped a lot. People see Aidonia differently. Wi bring wi self well, speak well, and the world has seen a different side of Aidonia. A whole different side and mi glad fi dat,” he said.

Aidonia continued, “Epican has been doing a great job already with the strains. I’m just here to showcase and show people the great work that Epican is doing.”

Dwayne McKenzie is president of Epican Medicinals.

“Our brand ambassador Aidonia has a great relationship with us here at Epican. He had signalled an interest in creating his own strain as a huge fan of the products. He worked for a number of years with the team to develop something perfect for himself. Banga Kush has become a hit at Epican with many persons already specially requesting it,” said McKenzie.

On the music side, Aidonia is gearing up to release two EPs later this year. He plans to release several singles over the next couple of months.

Born Sheldon Lawrence, Aidonia emerged on the dancehall music scene in the early 2000s. Among his chart-topping hits are Run Road, Fi Di Jockey, Yeah Yeah Yeah, Tip Pon Yuh Toe, Breeze, and Banga.