8 Black-Owned Dispensaries to Support on 4/20
Let's keep it real, weed has been a part of black culture for centuries. From jazz musicians smoking in speakeasies to present-day hip-hop artists, there are even some reports of the ancient Pharaohs using marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes. In recent years, with the legalization of recreational marijuana in some states, black entrepreneurs have been able to enter the cannabis industry. However, they still face many challenges, such as lack of access to capital, arrest rates, and discrimination.
A 2020 analysis by the American Civil Liberties Union, concluded, “Black people are 3.64 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession, notwithstanding comparable usage rates.” Authors reported, “In every single state, Black people were more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession, and in some states, Black people were up to six, eight, or almost ten times more likely to be arrested. In 31 states, racial disparities were actually larger in 2018 than they were in 2010.”
Despite these staggering statistics, black entrepreneurs are still doing the damn thang and creating huge strides within the cannabis space. On April 20th, also known as "4/20", people all over the world celebrate marijuana culture. This year, let's take a stand and support black-owned dispensaries.
Oakland Extracts
Available throughout California’s licensed dispensaries, the goods are crafted in small batches, keeping quality as the top-most priority. The founder, Terryn Niles Buxton, struggled not just to obtain the license but also in finding support for a Black-owned business in the budding cannabis space. However, he kept going with his vision of bringing ‘Terps from the Town,’ so everyone gets to enjoy quality 4/20 products. Though they offer a variety of live resins and vapes, customers keep coming back for their signature cookie crumble locate a store near you on their website to try for yourself.
Viola Brands
Al Harrington, a retired NBA player scored success in a brand new career, altering the path for Black-owned businesses forever. He launched the first-ever black-owned cannabis company and also raised awareness about the discrimination faced by both Black and Brown communities in marijuana crimes. Apart from bringing about a revolution, the NBA player also launched a variety of products that include live resin, flower, and the coveted rosin, which is marketed as the cleanest form of concentrate that is extracted from flavorful strains.
SimplyPure
The first Black woman-owned dispensary is based out in Denver and is operated by military veterans Wanda James and Scott Durrah. The duo started out as entrepreneurs in 2010, serving quality vegan products like flowers and edibles. The one reason that you should try their products when you are in Denver is that they craft small batches, carefully curating produce from their own farm. SimplyPure was voted the Best Flavor Champion in Colorado during The Grow Off Competition in 2018.
Mary and Main
If you are looking for premium medical marijuana in Maryland then you should check out the online store of Mary and Main. You can also visit their physical store, which is located in Capitol Heights, MD. Their dispensary is known to feature some of the best cannabis products, and if you are in Maryland then do pay a visit to see for yourself. Apart from all this, you can get details on types of cannabis, their unique characteristics, as well as types of therapies that you can try for treatment and managing symptoms of various ailments on their website.
Blunts and Moore
Under the social equity program in Oakland, Blunts and Moore is the first black-owned retailer of premium cannabis products. The Happy Store is named after the founders Brittany Moore and Alphonso Blunt, making the brand name serendipity and a crafty turn of phrase. They offer a selection of concentrates, topicals, vapes, edibles, flowers, tinctures, and a lot more. You can buy from their online store or visit their physical store. Their experts, who they call the budtenders will guide you about the CBD/THC products that will match your requirement.
American Cannabinoid Clinics
Successfully operating in 19 states across the United States, the Black-owned business specializes in endocannabinology, a natural approach to managing symptoms of diseases and reversing them with the help of cannabis products. They also offer consultation for alternative treatment and guidance to get a medical marijuana card/.
Hollingsworth Cannabis Company
A company that is on the fast track to success with the second generation taking the legacy of the Hollingsworth family forward is known for its clean harvest and healthy plants that are grown inside climate-controlled insulated greenhouses. Another reason behind the quality of their products is the soil that is packed with nutrients. Visit their online store to explore the product range, or locate a nearby dispensary on their website.
iCANN HEalth Center
Mamma knows best, but when we talk about the fusion of cannabis culture and a healthy lifestyle, this grandmother and once a catholic school principal is certainly the expert. Sue Taylor became the first Black owner in the Bay Area to run a dispensary, after she got selected unanimously by the city council of Berkeley, Cali. for a dispensary permit in 2016. If you are in the Bay Area for vacation or are a resident then this is a trusted dispensary you can visit.
While many other businesses didn’t make it to this list, but their contribution towards making 4/20 and medical-grade cannabis products safely available to individuals of all communities and races, cannot be forgotten. These black-owned businesses are run by passionate men and women, who understand the importance of marijuana decriminalization. As the number of these businesses is growing by leaps and bounds, you won’t have trouble finding one near you.
Happy 4/20! Toke Responsibly!
