Black History Month: Cannabis Equity & Black-Owned Brands
Celebrating Black-owned cannabis brands and the fight for equity. Learn about arrest disparities, CAURD licenses, and brands to support this February.
The cannabis industry was built on the backs of communities that were disproportionately harmed by prohibition. This Black History Month, we’re celebrating the Black entrepreneurs, advocates, and brands working to build a more equitable cannabis future—and acknowledging the work that still needs to be done.
The Numbers That Matter
Let’s be clear about what we’re talking about. According to NORML data:
- Black Americans are arrested for cannabis at 4x the rate of white Americans—despite similar usage rates
- 38.8% of marijuana possession arrests in 2020 were Black Americans, who make up 13.6% of the U.S. population
- In some cities, the disparity is even starker—Chicago saw a 15:1 Black-to-white arrest ratio before decriminalization
These arrests have real consequences: legal fees, incarceration, job loss, housing discrimination, and educational barriers that ripple through families and communities for generations.
Cannabis legalization is progress. But without intentional equity measures, it risks creating an industry where the same communities harmed by prohibition are locked out of the legal market.
New York’s Equity Approach: CAURD Licenses
New York took a different path. The state’s Social & Economic Equity program prioritizes licenses for:
- People with prior cannabis convictions (or family members with convictions)
- Minority and women-owned businesses
- Distressed farmers
- Service-disabled veterans
The result? 88% of New York’s adult-use retail dispensary licenses are Social & Economic Equity (SEE) owned. 60% are minority-owned, 50% are women-owned.
Yerba Buena is proud to be part of this ecosystem as a minority-owned, women-owned, family-operated dispensary. We’re not just selling cannabis—we’re building the kind of industry that should have existed from the start.
Black-Owned Cannabis Brands to Know
This Black History Month, consider supporting these Black-owned brands—many of which are available in Brooklyn:
Silly Nice (Harlem-based, Black & Veteran-Owned)
Launched in March 2024, Silly Nice was recently named one of Weedmaps’ Top 10 Black-Owned Cannabis Brands. Available at 125+ dispensaries statewide, they’re known for premium products like Diamond Powder, Bubble Hash, and live resin infused flower.
B NOBLE (Founded by Fab 5 Freddy)
Hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy launched B NOBLE to honor his late friend Bernard Noble, who spent years in prison for a minor cannabis possession charge. A portion of proceeds goes to criminal justice reform.
Matawana (Brooklyn, Black Woman-Owned)
A recognized CAURD retailer in Park Slope, Matawana is building a community-focused dispensary that reflects the diversity of Brooklyn.
Weekenders
A lifestyle cannabis brand focused on quality and accessibility, Weekenders has built a following for their consistent, approachable products.
Chef For Higher
Chef Miguel Trinidad created Chef For Higher to bring professional culinary cannabis expertise to consumers. He’s appeared on Vice and hosts infused dining experiences.
What Equity Actually Looks Like
It’s not enough to hand out licenses. Real equity means:
- Access to capital: The CAURD Grant Program provided up to $30K to 52 licensed dispensaries in 2025
- Community reinvestment: New York directs cannabis tax revenue to youth programs, harm reduction, and workforce development in affected communities
- Ongoing support: Technical assistance, business education, and mentorship for new license holders
- Consumer awareness: People choosing to support equity-focused and Black-owned businesses with their dollars
How You Can Support
This February—and every month—you can support cannabis equity by:
- Shopping at minority-owned dispensaries like Yerba Buena and Matawana
- Asking for Black-owned brands when you shop
- Learning the history of cannabis prohibition and its impact on communities of color
- Supporting reform organizations like Minority Cannabis Business Association and Cannabis Social Equity Coalition
Visit Yerba Buena This February
We’re proud to be a minority-owned, women-owned, family-operated Brooklyn dispensary. Our commitment to equity isn’t just about our ownership—it’s about the brands we carry, the communities we serve, and the industry we’re helping to build.
Stop by our Cobble Hill location and ask about Black-owned brands.
