Honoring Trailblazers: Black History Month and Always

This Black History Month ELEVATE Northeast would like to recognize some of the amazing trailblazers currently making history in the cannabis industry. As a small token of our appreciation for the work they do, we would like to highlight some of their pioneering efforts.

@ The Washington Post

1. Doctors Knox

The Knox family proves a family that practices together, truly does stay together! Affectionately known as the “First Family of Cannabinoid Medicine,” the Knox doctors are a family of physicians with backgrounds in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Preventive Medicine, etc. Their expanded expertise includes Integrative Cannabinology, Functional Endocannabinology, and Cannabinoid Medicine. The Knox family has also been internationally recognized as thought leaders in the care of the endocannabinoid system and cannabis therapeutics. ELEVATE Northeast salutes the Knox’s for their pioneering work in cannabis and medicine this Black History Month.

2. Hope Wiseman | Mary & Main

She’s the youngest African American woman to own a retail dispensary in the nation. And in this case, Hope Wiseman proves that age truly isn’t anything but a number when it comes to operating a cannabis business. Following her employment with SunTrust, as an Equity Institutional Sales Analyst, Hope decided to pursue her dreams of entrepreneurship. With her banking and financial background, Hope founded Mary and Main on the foundation of her vision to create opportunities for minorities who have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. ELEVATE Northeast salutes Hope Wiseman this Black History Month for both her vision and provision in the cannabis industry. @MaryandMain

@Estrohaze

3. Seun Adedeji | Elev8 Cannabis

He may be the youngest, but he’s also proving to be amongst the wisest dispensary owners in the US. Seun Adedeji is the youngest Black man to own a retail cannabis dispensary in America. As a Nigerian immigrant and DACA Act recipient, he is no stranger to hard work and sacrifice. Adedeji grew up in Chicago, and he eventually moved to Washington State where he would become the manager of multiple Sprint stores. With a vision to empower individuals to live their best lives and a mission to love, awaken, and elevate the human spirit- Seun would eventually move to Oregon and open ELEV8 Cannabis in 2017. He was just 23 years old at that time. Elev8 Cannabis has plans to expand its operations to the East Coast in 2020. Retail operations as expected to begin this spring in Athol Massachusetts. From one ELEVATE family to another Elev8 family, we recognize your efforts and salute Seun Adedeji this Black History Month.

@Estrohaze

4. Roz McCarthy | Minorities for Medical Marijuana

She is the woman behind the organization that is everywhere and involved in almost everything cannabis. Meet Roz McCarthy, Founder + CEO of Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM). M4MM is a non-profit organization with its corporate office based in Orlando Florida. The organization was established in May 2016 and currently has 23 state chapter locations throughout the country. M4MM’s mission is to provide advocacy, outreach, research, and training as it relates to the business, social reform, public policy, and health/wellness in the cannabis industry. McCarthy was named one of High Times 100 Most Influential People in the Cannabis Industry in 2018, and we couldn’t agree more! This Black History Month ELEVATE Northeast solutes and celebrates the important work of Roz McCarthy.

5. Kebra Smith-Bolden | CannaHealth

Have you ever encountered a vision so bright you needed shades? Well, that is Kebra Smith-Bolden in a plant seed! Kebra is a Registered Nurse and member of The Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, Connecticut NORML, and The Minority Cannabis Business Association. Smith-Bolden also serves as the Co-Chief Nursing Officer for the Steering Committee for Huerfano County.

When she isn’t busy supporting one of the many organizations she volunteers for, Kebra is busy being the Founder + CEO of CannaHealth. CannaHealth is a cannabis health and wellness center where individuals seeking alternative therapy options and cannabis patient certifications can go for support. For her unwavering commitment to community and health, ELEVATE Northeast salutes Kebra Smith-Bolden this Black History Month. @CannaHealth

6. Tauhid Chappell | CannaAtlantic Conference Founder

Meet the man, the myth, the communications legend- Tauhid Chappell. Tauhid is an executive board member of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, which is the first and oldest association of black journalists in the United States. Recently he worked as a social media producer for The Washington Post before joining the Philadelphia Inquirer as an engagement editor.

In April 2019, Chappell founded the Color of Cannabis Conference, Philadelphia’s first cannabis conference led by a media nonprofit that educates media professionals and community members on all aspects of cannabis. This Black History Month ELEVATE Northeast salutes Tauhid Chappell for his unparalleled efforts in capturing and elevating the minority experience in the cannabis industry. @The Washington Post

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