New York is about a hand out retail licenses for cannabis operations, but the first batches will go to those formerly convicted of marijuana use.

“The Marathon Continues” is more than just a slogan for late rapper Nipsey Hussle, whose life was tragically cut short in March 2019. Since his passing, the rapper/entrepreneur has posthumously been at the forefront of multiple business and brand deals in the fashion , film , and tech space. Now, with the help of friends, colleagues, and his elder brother, Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom, another vision of Nipsey’s is coming to fruition. On June 18, The Marathon (Collective), a premier THC and CBD retail store, is set to officially open its doors at 7011 Canoga Ave. in Los Angeles, CA. Legally breaking into the cannabis business has long been a dream of Nipsey Hussle’s and his loved ones have made it their mission to see it through. Photo Credit: Ann Marie Clark “This is something we always spoke about,” says Samiel Asghedom. “Nipsey, Fatts, Adam, and I had a goal to get a legitimately licensed store and have our brand in other stores across the state. We’re so honored to be able to...

Troy Datcher is set to become the new CEO of Jay-Z's The Parent Company, making him the first Black CEO to lead a major U.S. cannabis brand.

Cousins Eric Grayson, Keena Middleton, and Charles Toney II have teamed up to launch Park Merced's only state licensed cannabis dispensary.

Veriheal’s telemedicine platform lets users speak with cannabis physicians, find dispensaries, secure medical marijuana cards, and more.

Vanessa Jean-Baptiste opened the first Black woman-owned dispensary on the East Coast this past weekend, WPRI reported. Baptiste welcomed customers to Legal Greens for the first time on Sunday, March 28. The new dispensary is located in Brockton, Massachusetts, and WPRI reported that the historic cannabis store has been in the works for three years. “It means a lot to me because we worked really hard to get to where we are at,” Jean-Baptiste told WPRI. There was a line of people waiting to support Jean-Baptiste and Brockton’s newest local Black-owned business on Sunday before the doors opened at 8 a.m. Jean-Baptiste was born and raised in Brockton and she opened this new dispensary with the hopes of bringing a positive impact to the community.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Legal Greens (@legal_greens) “This is the first woman Black-owned business in the legal market on the East Coast which is as exciting as the first stores that opened in November of 2018,” Davide...

Inclusivity and diversity in the cannabis sector is now being made possible with the help of one Black founder. Founder of Uplift Maryland , Kevin Ford, created a platform that offers resources and training to create space for African Americans interested in getting into the medical marijuana field. After exploring the medical market in various legalized states, he discovered the need to streamline information around the process. He also aims to break down the stigma surrounding the cannabis industry and create a community for those interested. “Being a medical patient myself, I saw a void in the market for a clear source of information. I realized how complicated it could be to navigate the registration and certification process,” Ford said, according to Because of Them We Can. “With countless stigmas surrounding cannabis, I wanted to create a community where people are supplied with education, tools, and economic resources to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams in this very...