High Priority

In a constantly evolving industry like cannabis, it can be especially difficult for aspiring entrepreneurs to find the appropriate educational resources to start their own companies. For business owners of color, this becomes yet another barrier to entry in a sector where success often hinges on capital and industry connections. In this episode, we speak to Martine Pierre, Founder and CEO of Cannalution aiming to build the first digital HBCU for the cannabis industry. Martine shares her insights on the importance of BIPOC entrepreneurs embracing ancillary opportunities and how new brands can authentically engage with target audiences in competitive markets.

While the regulated cannabis industry continues to flourish with record rates of year-over-year growth, Black ownership and representation have actually dwindled across the country. Cannabis for Black Lives (CfBL), born out of Cannaclusive, aims to eliminate the specific barriers still keeping BIPOC business owners from actively participating in the space. In this episode, we speak to Kassia Graham, Director of Community & Strategy at Cannaclusive and head of Cannabis For Black Lives' leadership team, on how cannabis companies of all sizes can work with CfBL and actively support Black-led organizations through hiring initiatives, meaningfully amplifying Black voices, and staying accountable to their corporate commitments.

The fragmented nature of cannabis legalization has made it especially challenging for industry advocates to pass comprehensive social equity-focused policies across the U.S. –but Tahir Johnson is in a unique position to enact change on both federal and local levels. In this episode, we speak to the Director of Social Equity and Inclusion at U.S. Cannabis Council and Marijuana Policy Project about meaningfully eliminating the main barriers of entry for entrepreneurs of color, the most attractive opportunities in the ancillary sector and how his team is building more robust (and diverse) talent pipelines into the evolving industry.

Since passing in March 2021, New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) has been recognized as one of the most progressive pieces of cannabis legislation in the country. While the bill prioritizes key social equity initiatives –including accessible licensing for communities impacted by cannabis enforcement, a community reinvestment fund, and automatic expungement, the long-term success of these programs will largely depend on the legal frameworks currently being developed by New York’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB). In this episode, we speak to CCB Chair Tremaine Wright about how her office plans to follow through on the MRTA’s commitments, the often overlooked resources that aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs can tap into, and what a successful adult-use rollout can, and should, look like.

New Yorkers who want to make their voices heard during this process can get involved at https://cannabis.ny.gov/

Cannabis has become one of the most coveted lifestyle products in recent years, but many consumers still face obstacles finding 420-friendly lodging while on vacation. Monique Jackson-Fitzgerald and her husband, Rick, set out to introduce an inclusive solution through InnDica, a platform where cannabis enthusiasts can book carefully curated destinations and experiences. In this episode, we speak to Monique about the process of developing and launching her small business in the nascent cannabis hospitality sector, what goes into vetting and selecting InnDica’s travel partners, and the future of these hospitality experiences.

While there are now numerous points of entry within the cannabis space, many of these opportunities are not always accessible to professionals of color. Industry veteran Amber Senter recognized these disparities early on and has spent the past six years tackling these barriers to entry throughout the supply chain. Through her ventures –including Supernova Women, Breeze Distro (currently known as Makr House), and developing the country's first social equity cannabis workforce development program in Oakland –Amber is committed to equipping people of color to become self-sufficient industry shareholders. In this episode, we speak to Amber about the importance of an inclusive supply chain, the state of California’s social equity program, and how both regulators and consumers can address the lasting effects of the War on Drugs.

In newly legal cannabis markets, the knee-jerk reaction for aspiring business owners is to either open a dispensary or launch their own product. But what if you don’t want to go through the grueling (and expensive) licensing process? In this episode, we speak to Sumera Galvez and Rocio Mata, co-owners of Dr. LungZzz, one of the most beloved smoke shops in Illinois. The minds behind this female and minority-owned retail business delve into the pros and cons of running a non-plant-touching business, how both consumers and larger cannabis brands can be better advocates for social equity, and what it takes to foster deep customer relationships in this competitive space.

Arizona launched adult-use sales in January shortly after legalizing cannabis in the 2020 election －and business is booming. The state has already collected over $20 million in taxes from the regulated industry, making it one of the top emerging markets being closely watched by brands, operators, and investors alike. At the same time, Arizona’s rapid rollout is also raising concerns about the opportunities minority business owners and social equity applicants can access in this highly competitive market. In this episode, we speak to Demitri Downing, the Founder and CEO of the Arizona Marijuana Industry Trade Association (MITA-AZ) about the educational and business resources available to aspiring entrepreneurs who aim to be true stakeholders in Arizona’s blossoming industry.

Success is often contingent on who you know and the kind of network you’ve built, and that’s especially the case in cannabis. In this episode, we speak to Timeka Drew, the entrepreneur and advocate behind Biko Flower and Our Academy, about her experience applying for a social equity license in California and co-founding one of the most respected mentorship nonprofits in the industry. Timeka will also share her insights on building a personal cannabis brand and how established brands and operators can think outside the box to holistically support BIPOC cannabis businesses.

For many Indigenous tribes, cannabis has been a sacred part of their culture for hundreds of years. Despite this long-standing relationship with the plant, there is little Indigenous representation in the cannabis industry. In this episode, we talk to Chenae Bullock and Roseann Valencia-Fernandez about the historic partnership between the Shinnecock Nation of New York and TILT Holdings, highlighting the ways in which cannabis operators can uplift and empower Indigenous businesses in the space.