A few years ago, our parent company Parallel acknowledged we had not been doing enough to help the cannabis industry be a model for social equity and inclusivity. We pledged to work to make the industry more equitable by committing resources to advocate for fundamental changes in the industry overall while at the same time using our resources to directly bring about those changes in meaningful ways.

We are committed to creating more pathways in our industry for entrepreneurs of color. After years of legalization, minority ownership in the industry still hovers near 4%. This is alarming considering all the talk of social equity that preceded legalization debates around the country.

We took an important step forward in 2022 by collaborating with BCB Mastermind to create the CEO Intensive. This national education series is intended to not only increase minority ownership in the cannabis industry but to provide tools, resources, and education that create longevity and success. In its inaugural year, the CEO Intensive has reached over 75 cannabis entrepreneurs across the country.

By working with advocates and activists to expand the industry in an equitable fashion we’ve begun to develop the next phase of an industry that will create real opportunities for economic empowerment for underserved communities, foster innovation, and expand access to a plant we all believe can create a paradigm shift in health and wellness around the world.