26 Black-Owned Cannabis Businesses To Support This Black History Month

Discover the Black-owned cannabis businesses in your area that you can support during Black History Month - and all of the time!

As marijuana reform sweeps the nation and millions of seasoned and novice consumers flock to their new local dispensaries, so much of what cannabis prohibition has done to the Black community is lost on the crowds.

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In America, white entrepreneurs are making astonishing amounts of money from their marijuana business ventures while Black and other minority communities are continuously prosecuted for cannabis-related crimes and kept out of the industry in varying ways. From possession arrests, to a lack of social equity provisions in state legislature, it's literally in black and white: Black people are still being disenfranchised by the policies and practices surrounding cannabis in America. 

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Black Americans are on average 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis than white Americans.

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On top of that, despite the overwhelming push from a myriad of interested parties, many states are falling extremely short of their promises to promote social equity in their cannabis industries. 

Whether you're a white cannabis consumer like myself or are simply looking to be more impactful when it comes to the push for true equity and reform in the cannabis space, there are steps you can take to be part of the solution.

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From donating your time, voice, and money, to signing petitions and contacting your local authorities, there are so many ways to contribute. But this Black History Month (and all year long, really), there's one very simple way to support Black people in cannabis: shop Black-owned. 

By choosing to shop at Black-owned cannabis businesses, whether it's a smoke shop or a full-on dispensary, you're supporting the people and entrepreneurs who need and deserve your support more than any of those large corporations.

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If you're a consumer, supporting Black-owned cannabis businesses is a fantastic way to spend your cannabis-allotted funds. Especially this month, Black History Month, supporting these businesses is a way to celebrate the success of the Black entrepreneurs who are making a name for themselves in an industry that has historically (and presently) disenfranchised them in all too many ways. But don't let one month of shopping make you feel good about yourself. Try to dedicate your cannabis funds to minority businesses whenever you can! 

On that note, I figured now would be a good time to showcase a plethora of Black-owned cannabis businesses across the nation. But as I got into my research, I found myself frustrated by a general lack of results, especially in some of the whiter states in America.

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In an attempt to combat the lack of resources out there, I delved deep into the interweb and managed to find 26 Black-owned cannabis businesses across a number of fully legalized states. Some are quite well-known while others are smaller, locally-owned shops. And some aren't even dispensaries! 

On this list, you'll find a range of Black-owned cannabis businesses — from apparel shops to CBD coffee shops to classic dispos — that I'm hoping you'll choose to support (if you can) during this Black History Month (and all of the time).

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You'll also get a birdseye view of some of the demographics and statistics in the various states that made it on here, which will help to inform about the disparities in varying regions and ideally catalyze you to contribute what you can towards supporting and uplifting Black businesses near you. 

Without further ado, let's dive in!

Maine

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Wisely Cannabis — Sanford & South Berwick, ME

According to Black-Owned Maine, Wisely Cannabis is "a majority Black-owned multi-racial small-batch cannabis cultivation solventless extraction and delivery service serving Kittery-Augusta.". The co-founders, Calvin Akers and Jim Dube, have long been working towards their cannabis-driven dreams, which has resulted in a successful business. 

Per an article in Politico last summer, the pair were able to secure a 1,000-square- feet cultivation center as a duo rather than the individual limit of 500 square feet — power in numbers, right? They also have a retail storefront and, at the time of the article, were working on another. Now, they boast storefronts in the popular towns of Sanford and South Berwick. "Akers and Dube are prime examples of how market accessibility has helped them create the business that they have today. Anyone can start in a grow tent with a few hundred dollars for the licensing fee," Politico wrote. "'I tell [other people of color]: Come to Maine. It’s pretty inclusive here," said Akers, who is Black. "Maine has been the best place to be. The barrier to entry is really low.”

If you're in the greater Sanford or South Berwick areas, stop by to visit Wisely Cannabis for incredible solvent-extracted concentrates and fire selection of flower. 

Maine residents voted to legalize medical marijuana way back in 1999. Then, in 2016, they voted in favor of establishing a recreational market as well. While it took a number of years to get the program off the ground, legal recreational sales finally began last year in 2021. That being said, Maine is one of the whitest states in the nation. According to the World Population Review's report, which relies on 2020 U.S. Census data, Maine's population is ~94.4% white. The Northeastern state's Black population rings in at ~1.7% — a staggeringly low number that is reflective of much of New England in general. But while that percentage is low, there are fantastic Black-owned businesses to patron, including a standout cannabis business.

Wisely / Instagram: @undefined

Vermont

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Caledonia Cannabis — Burlington, VT

Caledonia Cannabis, a high-quality CBD (cannabidiol) company, is founded and owned by Arantha Farrow, making it a Black woman-owned and founded family operation. According to their website, "caledonia cannabis has grown its plants with an exceptional love to plant ratio, only possible on small scale family run farms such as ours."

In a feature about Farrow's business journey in Seven Days VT, it's explained that she went on quite the rollercoaster ride to get to where she is today. Botched agreements with a large-scale investor lead to her vowing to only work with "small Vermont producers." In a super-unique and pandemic-driven move, Farrow purchased an old trolley car from a man in New Hampshire and turned it into a mobile retail shop. "She now takes her "Cannaboose" — the affectionate name for the refurbished vehicle — to vending sites such as Church Street Marketplace and the Burlington Farmers Market, where she can sell her products right out of a window."

While Caledonia Cannabis' products are making a difference for VT residents on their own, Farrow also pays it forward in a way that was catalyzed by her past. When her father, a Zimbabwean native, applied for a Green Card to remain in the U.S. when Farrow was four, an old cannabis detainment for an eighth of marijuana caused him to be deported instead. Today, she "sells handmade goods by Zimbabwean artisans she met through her father, who still lives there." At the end of her feature, Farrow notes, "If I make money in this venture, it will go directly to Africa [...] so I can help equalize a world that is so dangerously out of balance."

Instagram: @caledoniacannabis

Vermont has long been known as a cannabis-positive, hippy-dippy Northeastern state. But while Vermonters are often seen as inclusive, loving, high-living folks, they, like Maine, are one of the whitest populations in the nation. At ~94.2% white and only ~1.36% Black, it's clear that the racial disparity would have an effect on the number of Black-owned cannabis businesses in the Green Mountain state. However, Caledonia is one Black-owned cannabis business (among a handful of others) that deserves as much love and recognition as the kind-hearted owner hopes to spread through with her products and work.

Massachusetts

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The Green Lady Dispensary — Nantucket, MA

A truly unique and splendrous place, The Green Lady Dispensary is actually located on Nantucket — a small island off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The married business owners, Rupert and Nicole Campbell (and now their adult daughter, Corbet) have cherished the island for over 35 years. Per their website, "Nantucket is a special place and deserves a special dispensary that respects the Nantucket narrative."

Interestingly, also according to their website, The Green Lady was the first operational woman-owned, Black-owned dispensary in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. While Nicole herself is a white woman, her husband, Rupert, is a Black Caribbean-American man, and the family notes that their business "is devoted to making a difference in this emerging industry, from our diverse workforce and the good deeds we do to help the local community."

In addition to being both a recreational and medical dispensary, The Green Lady is "vertically integrated, home to a state-of-the-art cultivation facility, extraction lab and commercial kitchen." If ever you find yourself 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod on a charming island called Nantucket, The Green Lady is the place to go. They're making things happen for their business while working tirelessly to provide similar opportunities to other minorities in cannabis. 

Instagram: @thegreenladydispo

Pure Oasis — Boston, MA

Pure Oasis is widely known as Boston's first recreational dispensary — a feat of its own for anyone in the burgeoning cannabis space. Owned and operated by Kevin Hart and Kobie Evans, two Black entrepreneurs focused on giving back to their community, Pure Oasis is truly a place of reprieve for the local residents — both their patrons and now their employees. Per an article covering the opening of the shop on Boston.com, "Among their 30 or so staffers are residents who live within walking distance from the shop, as well as people with prior criminal records", said Evans.

The duo chose to set up shop in Dorchester, "a dense and diverse neighborhood about four miles south of downtown Boston", with the community's needs in mind. “The war on drugs had a very detrimental impact on neighborhoods like this," Evans said after letting in the store’s first wave of 50 or so customers. "We’re here to try and remedy some of those negative effects. We’re trying to give people second [chances] and create new opportunities.”

Pure Oasis is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., so if you ever find yourself in the area, or want to support a Black-owned dispensary in the greater Boston area, you can easily access them via the T (Boston's subway system). There is street parking around for anyone driving in, but as anyone who knows Boston can tell you, it's best (and cheaper) to park outside the city and take the train in and around.  

Instagram: @mypureoasis / Via Instagram

Per the same World Population Review report that we've been getting demographic statistics from thus far, Massachusetts' population is ~78.07% white and ~7.63% Black — marketably more diverse than those of the two previous New England states we've covered, though the disparity is still painstakingly clear. Regardless, Black cannabis business entrepreneurs are making space for themselves across the state, including in Boston, the well-known capital city.

Connecticut

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CannaHealth — New Haven, CT  

CannaHealth is a medical cannabis card certification business in the city of New Haven, Connecticut. According to their website, they offer "certification and recertification services for those with conditions that qualify for treatment with Medical Cannabis." Founded and owned by Kebra Smith-Bolden, a registered nurse and member of The Minority Cannabis Business Association, CannaHealth was the first cannabis business in the state "to be owned by an African-American."  

Smith-Bolden's focus has long been centered around providing mental health care to "support disadvantaged communities by studying the use of cannabis in conjunction with therapy for those suffering from complex traumas." While her focus has shifted to PTSD-related symptoms and treatments, her initial interest in the plant was sparked by her grandmother's physical health ailments long ago. 

According to an article in Forbes, Smith-Bolden "witnessed first-hand the power of cannabis as medicine after an aneurysm drastically altered [her] grandmother's personality, mobility, and cognitive abilities." As medical cannabis had been legalized by then, she implemented it into her grandmother's recovery plan, with smashing success. "The positive response was almost immediate," she told Forbes, "and within a month I saw a dramatic improvement in my grandmother’s condition: she was more engaged, began walking again, and speaking more clearly."

If you're a CT resident looking for a medical marijuana certification and want to support a Black, woman-owned business, CannaHealth is a premier option. With telehealth now available, anyone can benefit from this awesome business. 

Instagram: @visitcannahealth

Your CBD Store – Simsbury, CT

While Your CBD Store is now a nationwide option in many major areas, the one in Simsbury, CT, is owned and operated by a dynamic duo of Black women — Nakia Kearse and Katonya Hughey. According to their About Us page, "We [the owners] both had personal health challenges and also saw those around us suffering from different ailments but struggling to find solutions that worked. Once we heard about the benefits of CBD, we tried it for ourselves and couldn't believe the results! That was when we started to explore ways to bring these powerful products to our community."

Kearse and Hughey's Your CBD Store location is widely hailed as an educational, helpful, friendly, and overall awesome place to shop for and learn about CBD. The cherry on top is that the store is "fur baby" friendly and offers hemp-infused dog treats — so you can even bring your best four-legged bud along on a trip to get some relaxing goodies for both of your needs. 

If you need CBD in CT, the Google reviews speak for themselves. Follow those five stars all the way to the Simsbury location! 

Instagram: @ycbdsimsbury

After lagging behind their neighboring states for possibly a little too long, Connecticut finally passed recreational cannabis last year. While everything is taking a while to get up and running, the New England state has had medical marijuana since summer 2012. Using our World Population Review data, we know that Connecticut is ~75.92% white and ~10.72% Black — although the population is only about half that of Massachusetts, their northern neighbor. Because the recreational market is still being established, I was only able to find Black-owned medical dispensaries and businesses to highlight, which are vastly important to their local communities.

New York

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Simply Smokin' Smoke Shop – Online (but based in Brooklyn, NY)

I stumbled across this little gem of an online store while searching broadly for Black-owned cannabis businesses. While the Simply Smokin' Smoke Shop itself is technically online, it's based in Brooklyn, NY, so I figured it deserved a spot on this list. If you choose to shop there, you'll be supporting a Black-owned, women-owned, New York-based business that directly correlates to cannabis consumption. 

According to their About Us page, "Simply Smokin’ Smoke Shop was created for women, by women, to help connect you to the tools you need to make your smoking experience enjoyable, memorable and hassle-free." Rooted in "selfhood & self-assurance," the online store is filled with carefully handpicked smoking supplies that will blow your mind if you're used to cheap glass bowls from your local gas station. From crystal pipes intended to add stress relief and beauty to your sessions, to volcanic rock-looking ashtrays, you're sure to find something that will elevate your experience with cannabis to the next level of aesthetic. 

P.S. They ship nationwide, so you can support this Black-owned, women-owned business from anywhere in the United States!

Instagram: @queenfocusmedia , Instagram: @simplysmokinsmokeshop

New York has been making marijuana-related headlines for quite some time now as a major political turnover came amidst the efforts to establish the state's recreational market. As of now, there are still some hurdles to conquer before recreational retail shops can open, but smoke shops and medical dispensaries are in full swing. Of New York state's 19,223,191 person population, ~63.66% is white and ~15.66% is Black. In my efforts to find Black-owned dispensaries, I quickly became frustrated by the lack of direct results pointing me in the right direction. But I found some nonetheless! 

Upstate CBD — Schenectady, NY

Upstate CBD is a cannabidiol carnival located in Schenectady, New York — about 30 minutes northwest of Albany. Owned by Donald Andrews, and managed by Renata Filiaci, this emporium of natural wellness is Black-owned and woman-managed. And when I say "cannabidiol carnival" and "emporium of wellness," I'm referring to their seemingly endless list of incredibly diverse offerings. 

Tinctures, edibles, topicals, drinks, pre-rolls, flower, and even pet products line the shelves of Upstate CBD, making it a place where everyone (including their cats and dogs) can find what they need. If you'd like to read more about the store and highly motivated owner, Don, his interview with Ganjapreneur from 2019 is enlightening and educational. The interviewer and Don discuss his "strategy for persevering through prejudice, how he builds friendships with his customer base, and why he works only with local artists and refuses to sell imported glass products."

Instagram: @upstatecbd / Via Instagram

New Jersey

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Roll Up Life — New Jersey

Roll Up Life is a Black-owned, social equity-driven CBD delivery service operating in New Jersey. Per their Instagram bio, "When You Need Us, We’ll Roll Up." Founded and owned by Tiyahnn Bryant, Precious Osagie-Erese, and Kevin Monangai, their work is fully centered around education, destigmatization, social justice and equity efforts, and providing quality CBD products to their customers. 

In a feature on the trio and their business in NJ.com, Osagie-Erese is quoted saying “A lot of us are arrested…because of this plant, yet you don’t see a lot of us making the money and revenue in the legal market," before noting that it can be "discouraging." According to the ACLU in another NJ.com article linked in the feature piece, Black people were 3.5 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis than white people, despite their consumption rates being nearly equal. 

Following the company on Instagram is a great way to begin learning about their efforts to contribute to social justice and equity in their state. Shopping from their business is a great way to support a Black-owned cannabis store this month (and all the time) — and you don't even have to leave your house to do it. 

Instagram: @rollup.life

New Jersey is making cannabis headlines this very week as many, including Congressman Donald Payne, are "outraged" that the Garden State has not awarded any of its 56 recreational cannabis licenses to Black business owners. According to Marijuana Moment, "Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) said in a press release last week that he’s 'outraged to hear that Black-owned businesses have been shut out of the state’s cannabis marketplace,' noting that Black people are significantly more likely to face arrests over marijuana despite comparable rates of use among different races." New Jersey's population is roughly 67.78% white and ~13.46% Black. Throughout the legalization efforts over the past several years, many organizations have been doing their part to afford opportunities to Black and other minority communities in the cannabis space, while white people dominate it. 

CannaBoy TreeHouse — Union, NJ

CannaBoy TreeHouse is a well-established, Black-owned CBD dispensary in Union, New Jersey that offers the region an incredibly diverse selection of products. From tinctures, to isolates, to flower, to pet products, the local business is the one-stop CBD shop of your dreams. 

According to their website, "Everything we feel and do relates to our well-being and directly affects our actions and emotions. In order to subdue stress, reduce pain, and ensure positive moments in your life, you must achieve optimal wellness. Choose CBD as your vehicle to a more fulfilling life." This place is so community-centric that they even offer an event space where you can throw cannabis-themed parties and gatherings and learn about the benefits of CBD. 

If you're in the Union area, CannaBoy TreeHouse is a must-visit shop for those of us looking to support Black-owned cannabis businesses.

Instagram: @officialcannaboy / Via Instagram

Virginia

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District Hemp Botanicals — Leesburg & Manassas, VA & Washington, D.C.

District Hemp Botanicals was founded by Barbara Birdie, an entrepreneur, mom, and community leader, according to the company's website. After CBD helped her cope with symptoms of postpartum depression, she decided to invest in the business side of things and bring her ideas to the D.C. and Virginia areas. Today, her business is booming. 

In addition to offering a wide variety of products to fit different consumers' preferences, the District Hemp website actually offers a guide for those struggling with different kinds of ailments. That way, if someone knows they want CBD to help with stress, joint pain, sleep, or any number of other things, they can simply peruse the drop-down menu and shop the products most recommended for their symptoms. 

Whether you're a local or you're visiting the metropolitan area, District Hemp is a trusted, devoted, community-driven, Black-owned, woman-owned cannabis business that you can support. 

Instagram: @districthemp

Virginia's recreational legalization rollout is proving to be a long and arduous process, though the legalization bill was passed in July of 2021. That hasn't stopped business owners from investing in CBD, which is federally legal, and establishing successful businesses across the region, though! Of the 8,638,218 person population, ~67.63% is white and ~19.81% is Black. While searching for Black-owned cannabis businesses in the area, a handful came up, but I wanted to highlight this one in particular. 

Michigan

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Viola — Detroit, MI

The story of Viola Brands goes as follows: "Established in 2011 by NBA veteran Al Harrington, Viola was inspired by his grandmother, who had long suffered from glaucoma. Al convinced her to try cannabis, from which she found relief, demonstrating to him the power of the plant. This pivotal experience inspired Al to name his company after Viola and begin his journey as CEO of Viola Brands." Today, all these years later, Viola products are available in dispensaries across the nation, but their first and most prominent dispensary is in Detroit, Michigan. 

Aside from their phenomenal products (I'm personally a huge fan), the Viola Brands team is hyper-focused on their social impact endeavors. According to Harrington himself, “All of our work is invested to create a brand that uses its platform and resources to create opportunities of empowerment, education, and inspiration for the people who have been most affected by the war on drugs —which primarily are Black and brown folks." One of their most recent endeavors, The Harrington Institute, a cannabis education program, launched this past fall. 

When you shop Viola brands, you're doing more than just supporting a Black-owned business. You're contributing to larger reform efforts that need the attention and efforts of all of us consumers. 

Instagram: @viola

Recreational and medical marijuana are prevalent in the Michigan culture these days. The Great Lakes state is an epicenter of entrepreneurial ventures into the plant's opportunities and benefits and many business owners there focus on giving back to their communities in any way they can, especially around the holidays. 

According to the World Population Review report, Michigan's demographics are  ~78.41% white and ~13.79% Black. When I went looking for Black-owned cannabis businesses in the state, I was actually able to find a good number! But I settled on highlighting these two. 

Huron View — Ann Arbor, MI

Huron View is a truly unique dispensary with a truly unique story behind its opening. Owned by a mother-daughter duo, Christina and Teesha Montague, this location had an uphill battle when first trying to set up shop. Christina Montague (the mother), a former county commissioner, was granted her license after a careful zoning process that involved concerns about a daycare center across the street. But ever since she got approval, she and her small team have had an amazing ride. 

According to their website, "Huron View is committed to making cannabis accessible to those who need it and educating and empowering their patients." With both medical and recreational cannabis available, Huron View is a fantastic option for those who want to support Black-owned, women-owned, family-owned and operated businesses in the Ann Arbor area. 

Instagram: @a2huronview

Illinois

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WaKanna — Chicago, IL

According to their website, "WaKanna was brought into existence through the synergistic efforts and shared foundational values of four African-American women who believe health, wealth, legacy and freedom are gifts that belong to all people." Those four women, Melissa Boston, Dr. Patricia Van Pelt, Phyllis Nash, and Dr. Rita J. McGuire, are well-worth reading more about if you'd like to be blown away by their impressive accolades, which predate their successful cannabis business in many ways. 

They originally opened in 2019 and have plans to expand into a multidimensional corporation by 2025, with hopes of having everything from "wholesaling micro-dispensaries to farming and manufacturing," according to their "About" page. Carrying everything, from classic pre-rolls, to cannabis products for sexual health, WaKanna has earned the love and respect of the local community and that of tourists that always stop by when they happen to be in town. 

Instagram: @wakannaforlife

Illinois is a densely populated state with approximately 71.53% white population and approximately 14.20% Black population. Recreational marijuana has been legal in the state since 2020, but even so, I had a rather difficult time finding Black-owned cannabis businesses. 

That being said, I did manage to find a few others that are killing the game!

THC by Chitiva — Bridgeview, IL

THC by Chitiva is a truly unique operation that sits just outside of the Windy City in Bridgeview, Illinois. They're a Black, Asian, women, and veteran-owned business that is deeply focused on social equity and innovation. To quote a blurb from their homepage, "...we fight corporate greed and Walmart W##D by producing and offering an artisanal craft experience for our customers."

In addition to being a dispensary, Chitiva offers incredible tours of their onsight facility where you can immerse yourself in learning about their plants and processes. While many consumers are perfectly happy to trust the experts when it comes to their bud, others are grateful for the opportunity to look behind the curtain and educate themselves on exactly what they're consuming and how it comes to be. 

If you're looking to support Black-owned cannabis businesses in a larger way than just purchasing their products, taking a tour of the Chitiva facility is a fantastic way to do so and learn along the way. 

Instagram: @chiteeva

Soul and Wellness — Chicago, IL

Soul and Wellness of Chicago, Illinois, is a Black-owned, woman-founded medical marijuana card services business, which also happens to offer a range of CBD products for their customers. Offering consultations about qualifying conditions and connections with doctors who can help their clients obtain medical cards, Soul and Wellness has become a pillar of Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. 

According to their website, Tiffany Reynolds, the founder, "has been in the cannabis industry for 5 years advocating and educating individuals about the medical benefits of the plant while breaking the stigma." With her Masters in Psychology and her holistic vision, "Tiffany’s goal is to be the catalyst for providing a wide array of resources, education, and holistic products to the community to reverse the curse on the war on drugs." 

Instagram: @soul__wellness

Colorado

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Simply Pure — Denver, CO

Simply Pure dispensary is a well-known recreational and medical dispensary in Denver, Colorado, but did you know that it was the first dispensary in America owned and operated by legally licensed African-Americans? Wanda James, the founder, and her husband, Scott Durrah (who are also both veterans), are pillars of advocacy in their community and have established one of the most popular cannabis shops in the region since they opened in 2009. 

According to their website, "Wanda’s political and entrepreneurial work on cannabis reform has led to her being named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis by High Times magazine in 2018, one of the 2016 Cannabis Business Executive (CBE) 50 Most Important Women in the Cannabis Industry, and has been featured in numerous shows." To put it simply, she's a badass, and you should know her name. 

If you're in the Denver area, Simply Pure is one of the very best Black woman-owned businesses to support. 

Instagram: @simplypurecbd

Colorado is widely regarded as one of the most cannabis-friendly states in the nation. They were the second state to legalize recreational marijuana just a few days after the first state, Washington, back in late 2012. Regardless of their 420-friendliness, though, Colorado unfortunately boasts some dark statistics when it comes to cannabis-related arrests. 

According to an article in the Colorado Newsline from this past summer, an "analysis found that the marijuana arrest rate for Black people (160 per 100,000) was more than double that of white people (76 per 100,000) in 2019." Those numbers are especially horrific considering the demographics of the state — ~84% white and ~4.16% Black. 

The contributing factors to the racially-biased numbers above are complex and numerous and you can read more about them in that Colorado Newsline article. 

Gentleman Quinns — Denver, CO

Founded by Jarell Wall and Austin Pflumm, Gentleman Quinns is a high-class, tobacco-free, Black-owned blunt company based in Denver, Colorado. While tobacco leaf-rolled blunts were and still are a popular way to consume marijuana, Gentleman Quinns — among many other companies — are making the move away from the potentially harmful plant and moving toward a health-conscious future that involves only cannabis. 

How do they do it, you ask? Their self-described "High Class Big A** Blunts" are wrapped in hemp papers and sold in gorgeous "Connoisseur Boxes." The cherry on top of their fantastic business model and products is that they're available at Simply Pure dispensary — the first Black-owned dispensary in Colorado and the United States. 

If you're looking for the feel and smell of a classic blunt but want to move away from tobacco, Gentleman Quinns is the way to go. 

Instagram: @gentlemanquinns

Arizona

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Healthful Flowers — Tucson, AZ

Healthful Flowers was founded by friends Travis Freeman and Taylor Reed after they noticed a lack of quality CBD and CBG products in their area. Sourcing only organic, American-grown cannabis for their products, the pair have since become Tucson's No. 1 CBD dispensary. 

At Healthful Flowers, you'll find everything from CBD nasal spray (even I haven't heard of that but now I want to try it) to CBG and CBD flower. According to their "About" page, "Besides selling the best smokable CBD and CBG cannabis, Healthful Flowers specializes in CBD edibles, oils (for people and pets) as well as many other hard-to-find products."

If you're searching for CBD in the Southeast region of Arizona, Healthful Flowers is a unique, Black-owned, friend-owned and operated place to find what you're looking for (and discover things you didn't even know you needed). 

Healthful Flowers CBD Dispensary @flowers_cbd

Boxing Day Specials: $5 Pre-Rolls, $20-$15-$7.50 Eighths, $80 10,000mg CBD Full Spectrum Oil, $5 OFF CBD Edibles & Nasal Spray

05:18 PM - 26 Dec 2020

Twitter: @flowers_cbd / Via Twitter

Arizona only recently joined the legal recreational cannabis game, but they're definitely having some booming success over there in the Grand Canyon state. But while it seems cannabis business owners are hitting their stride, I had a difficult time finding Black-owned cannabis businesses in my research. Their population is ~77.22% white and ~4.50% Black. Ideally, social equity provisions will grant the latter community more opportunities in cannabis moving forward.

The Coughee Company — Tempe, AZ

Combining CBD with caffeine is something that many people (including myself) do on a regular basis, but the CBD-infused coffee offerings from The Coughee Company aren't something you can achieve at home with your Keurig. According to an interview with the owner, Donnell Jackson, linked on their website, "What sets us apart [from] almost all coffee shops is not only do we have CBD options, but we infuse our coffee beans during the roasting process. It’s not an after additive that creates an oily layer on your coffee or alters the taste as most CBD oils do." I, for one, am deeply intrigued and planning a trip to Tempe ASAP. 

One of the best things about visiting The Coughee Company, besides supporting a Black-owned business, is that they offer non-CBD beverages, as well. If you're in need of a little CBD pick me up but the friend you're with just wants regular coffee, you can both get what you need from this one-stop shop. 

Instagram: @thecougheeco

Nevada

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Homie Cannabis — Las Vegas, NV

Homie Cannabis, whose motto is "The Intersection Of Black & Brown In Cannabis," is one of the premiere Black-owned cannabis brands available nationwide that's based in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to their website, the company's values stem from a drive to make space for other people of color in the cannabis industry (as well as create fantastic cannabis products). "Social and economic equity in cannabis starts with a definitive plan, but it must end with meaningful and measurable representation," reads their "Our Purpose" page. 

In Nevada, you can find Homie Cannabis at REEF Dispensaries and Jade Cannabis Co., which are in the Las Vegas area. 

Instagram: @rtpaperboy

Nevada is another notoriously 420-friendly place. Since legalizing in 2017, the recreational market has boomed, especially around the well-known party city of Las Vegas. When I got to looking for Black-owned cannabis businesses in the Silver State, I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent number — though we all know it's low compared to the number of white-owned businesses. 

Nevada Wellness Centers — Las Vegas, NV

Located in the heart of Las Vegas, Nevada Wellness Center is a Black-owned and operated 24-hour dispensary that also offers online shopping and store pick-up at their walk-up window. The owners, Frank Hawkins, Andre Rhodes, and Luther Mack, note that cultural diversity is one of the most important things about their business. 

According to their website, "We have a diverse Advisory Board and Workforce. More than 85% of NWC employee workforce is Hispanic, African American, disabled, gay/lesbian, and younger than 30 years of age." On top of being focused on diversity in cannabis, the Nevada Wellness Center also offers a program where, if you donate an old exit bag, they'll donate one can of food to local food banks! 

Instagram: @nevadawellnesscenter

California

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Josephine & Billie's — Los Angeles, CA

Josephine & Billie's, a speakeasy-themed, Black women-owned cannabis dispensary in South LA, was actually able to get going thanks to the tireless efforts of a reform and equity organization: Jay-Z's The Parent Company. The owners, CEO Whitney Beatty and COO Ebony Andersen, were the first minority business to receive an investment from The Parent Company, "which elevates future entrepreneurs of color within the cannabis industry by providing them with the capital and mentorship necessary to build generational wealth, as part of a more equitable and diverse cannabis industry," according to Thrillist.  

Per their (very aesthetic) website, "Josephine and Billie’s wants as many Women of Color as possible to experience and discover the healing properties of plant medicine. Our dispensary is a communal, creative and safe space for both education and exploration." I've personally been meaning to drop by ASAP and figured that I should spread the news about their awesome business in any way I can! 

Instagram: @josephineandbillies

California is sort of known as the land of weed, wine, and sunshine, but the dynamically 420-friendly state isn't living up to its social equity promises as of late. Despite that, though, there are numerous Black-owned cannabis businesses in the Golden State to highlight here. While I wish I could highlight them all, I had to narrow it down to a few that do business in the ~59.7% white, ~5.79% Black state. 

SF Roots — Bay Area, CA

SF Roots, founded by Morris Kelly, is one of the most well-known Black-owned cannabis brands in California, especially around the Bay area, where both the founder and business were born. After a long uphill battle towards success, SF Roots products are now available in over 30 dispensaries up and down the Golden Coast, and can also be purchased via several cannabis delivery services. 

When you visit the SF Roots website, one thing is very clear: this is a company focused on social equity and equality as well as general cannabis reform. In addition to learning about the products they sell, you can learn a lot about the startling demographics of the cannabis industry on their Social Equity page! 

Next time you're searching for a Black-owned cannabis brand in a dispensary, ask an associate for SF Roots. Not only will you be supporting a Black-owned cannabis business but you'll also get to enjoy some of the best bud on the West Coast. 

Instagram: @sfrootsca

Washington

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Sativah Sistahs – Online (but based in Washington)

Sativah Sistahs may not sell actual bud, but they're certainly on a mission to uplift and empower minority women in cannabis through their merchandise sales and unique scholarship program. According to their website, the Tory L. Brown Scholarship, named for one of the founder's best friends who sadly passed away, offers scholarships for Black girls and young women aged 14–20 who are interested in pursuing computer science, writing, animation, and more!

The Sativah Sistahs merchandise shop offers much more than just T-shirts, though. On their online store, you can find everything from wall art to bodysuits. Emblazoned with their heartfelt logo — a "Black woman with a 'fro" who is "holding a dark red heart with an asterisk-shaped cannabis symbol in the center," — their pieces speak volumes about the work the owners are doing. When you shop Sativah Sistahs, you're supporting a Black-owned business that works to support Black women and girls in everything they do. 

Instagram: @sativahsistahs

Washington state made history in 2012 when it became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana just days before Colorado. Since then, the welcoming Northwest state has earned a reputation for being a cannabis-friendly, enchanting place to visit and even set up shop in the biz. That being said, I was hard-pressed to find Black-owned cannabis businesses in the ~75% white state. 

Oregon

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Green Box – Portland, OR

Green Box, based in Portland, Oregon, was the state's first licensed cannabis delivery service. According to their website, Green Box was "Founded in 2016 by Adrian Wayman, a Black and gay entrepreneur, and his father-in-law, Bob Wayman, a Vietnam war veteran." Since its inception all those years ago, the company has grown into a successful and widely recognized business in the state. 

In a 2019 article in Oregon Live/The Oregonian, Green Box was highlighted as one of two Black-owned cannabis businesses in the state that were set to receive $30,000 grants from the city of Portland to "aid companies owned by people unduly harmed by past hyper-criminalization of marijuana use." While benefitting from that grant, the team at Green Box has also dedicated itself to supporting other companies that share their values, which involve "inclusion, diversity, sustainability, and community involvement," according to their "About Us" page.

Green Box @GreenBox_pdx

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Twitter: @GreenBox_pdx / Via Twitter

Are there any Black-owned dispensaries in your area you'd love to highlight? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Kathy Hoang / BuzzFeed