Breaking Boundaries: These Minority Cannabis Entrepreneurs Are Overcoming Years of Exclusion

In a now-4/20 friendly world, marijuana is more acceptable than ever before, though Black and brown people have been the last to benefit from the legal weed evolution. Forty states and the District of Columbia have approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes, while 24 states and the District of Columbia allow recreational adult use of cannabis. According to a June 2013 report by the ACLU, white and Black citizens use weed at nearly the same rates. However, the study, which analyzed data from 2001 to 2010, found that people of color were 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for weed possession than a white person. More recent industry information has also been made available, including an alarming Legal Aid analysis released in 2021, which showed that 94% of all NYC marijuana-related arrests in 2020 were people of color. New York state legalized weed in 2021 and expunged past criminal marijuana convictions. Measures such as these are certainly a step in the right direction, though the country has quite a ways to go. 

As the country continues to take strides towards fully normalizing and accepting the weed industry, this provides an opportunity for Black and brown people to cash in on the legal drug trade, which has historically discriminated against them. Still, they remain unrepresented in this space. 

While detailed public data on racial or gender diversity within the roughly 30,000 to 40,000 cannabis businesses in the U.S. is scarce, a 2017 survey showed that 81% of marijuana business owners were white, while Hispanic owners made up 5.7%, Black owners 4.3%, and Asian owners 2.4%. Although these statistics highlight a need for improvement, many minority business owners are navigating these challenges. They’ve not only established their own cannabis businesses but are also creating opportunities for others in their communities. Check out these pioneering enterprises that are making significant strides in diversifying the cannabis industry.

Wanda James – Founder of Simply Pure Dispensary (@simplypuredenver)

Wanda James is a pioneer in the legal marijuana field. The former Navy officer and her husband, Scott Durrah, became the first African-Americans to own a registered cannabis shop in the United States, with their Simply Pure Dispensary in Denver, Colorado, in 2010. Both James and Durrah were medical marijuana consumers before the drug was fully legalized for recreational use. They spent over ten years educating people on the benefits of marijuana and pushing for more Black representation in the space. Simply Pure carries a wide range of products, such as edibles, flowers, vapes, extracts, and more, located at 2000 W 32nd Ave, Denver, Colorado.

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Haytham Elgawly – CEO/Founder of XENA, Dispensary and Consumption Lounge (@xena_nj)

Entrepreneur Haytham Elgawly is the CEO/founder of XENA, an upcoming dispensary and one of the first consumption lounges in New Jersey. Situated in Jersey City, where Elgawly hails from, XENA is not just about selling cannabis but fostering a community. This pioneering venue aims to offer an elevated experience, creating a welcoming and inclusive space that cultivates connections among its patrons. “I’ve been around cannabis all my life, so the decision to enter the legal market seemed natural. When my municipality agreed on allowing consumption lounges in our city, I figured it was the perfect contrast between everything I know how to do very well- retail, gather a community and weed,” Elgawly shared.  Check out the space coming summer of 2024 at 759A Bergen Ave in Jersey City.

Raft and Joy Hollingsworth – Founders of The Hollingsworth Cannabis Company (@hollingsworthcompany)

Brother-sister duo Raft and Joy Hollingsworth founded The Hollingsworth Cannabis Company in 2013. Located on the scenic Olympic Peninsula in Shelton, WA, THC Co. is not only family-owned and operated but also one of the few Black-owned cannabis farms in Washington state. This social equity brand is dedicated to leveling the playing field, ensuring that minorities receive a fair share of the region’s burgeoning legal cannabis market. Committed to environmental sustainability, the Hollingsworths’ operations are carefully designed to maintain a low carbon footprint without compromising the quality of their product.

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Karim Butler and Alexis Major-Allison – Founders of GUMBO Brands (@gumbobrands)

GUMBO Brands is a revolutionary cannabis and lifestyle company founded by entrepreneurial power couple Karim Butler and Alexis Major. The business combines multiple styles of marijuana to create a unique strain that cannot be duplicated and is available in various different flavors. GUMBO was born from Major’s past occupation as a manager to NFL players. After witnessing players turn to addicting opiates due to injuries, she began seeking healthier alternatives for pain management. The company also offers a wide variety of vapes on its website. 

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Chef Miguel Trinidad – Founder of 99th Floor (@chefmigsnyc)

Chef Miguel Trinidad and his business partner Doug Cohen add a unique spin to the cannabis industry with his 99th Floor experience. Trinidad is an Institute of Culinary Education graduate who has served as a chef in many establishments before launching 99th Floor. The five-course private dinner offers a culinary journey infused with marijuana, utilizing meticulously selected canna oils and butters. This gourmet experience showcases the advancement of microdosing, previously associated solely with small doses of psychedelics. Trinidad’s method only utilizes cannabis in small amounts, approximately just 2-3.5 mg per course. Catching up on one of these intimate dinners can be done by visiting the 99th Floor information page. 

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