Maitri patient spotlight: Dave Kaule

By Rebekkah Ranallo
Video by Matt Dayak

When Dave Kaule isn’t printing and designing postcards, stickers and the like at Commonwealth Press, he’s curating designs for boards at his skateboarding company, Troika Skateboards, or skateboarding around Pittsburgh. We caught up with Dave about his cannabis story, and how it’s played a part in his skateboarding life. 

After suffering a brain injury from an automobile accident three years ago, Dave struggled with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Compounded with all the bumps and bruises brought on by his 27-year skateboarding career, his challenges led him to rethink cannabis as a medicine. For years, he had considered himself a recreational consumer. 

“My perception of cannabis has changed immensely since becoming a patient. Before, I wouldn't really talk about my cannabis use. Now I know exactly what I'm getting, and how it’s targeting my symptoms. Being able to openly discuss products and symptom management with other medical marijuana patients has been huge. “

Dave got certified for his medical marijuana card through the Maitri-Commonwealth Press collaborative in 2019, and has since become an active participant in the program. Dave says he’s tried an array of different products for various symptoms.

“My favorite flower strains so far have been Maitri’s Apple Crisp and Orange Frosting. Those two strains have been awesome for keeping my anxiety very low, and my positivity and open mindedness very high. I also really enjoy the Cresco CBD capsules a lot. They are a great mood stabilizer that definitely help with anxiety and depression for me. “ 

“For localized topical treatment of all my skateboarding bruises, I really like the Dr. Solomon’s Lotion 400MG 1:1. The FarmaceuticalRX RSO Painkiller is also one of my go-tos for pain.”

Dave adds that for energizing effects as well as anti-anxiety, GTI’s Blue Dream or Sour Joker cartridges have been go to's. 

“I consume before I skate, and when I am battling a trick, I’ll hit either of those two cartridges again to take the edge of the struggle off.”

“Since I got my card, I have been able to really dial in to what products best suit me. My overall well being has been more positive since. 

Check out more of Dave’s skateboarding videos @troikaskate on Instagram.

Special thanks to Matt Dayak and Maxx Gregg for their contributions and creative direction on this video and feature.