Spotlighting Black-owned dispensaries and brands advancing social equity and community in Maryland’s cannabis industry.
Cannabis, Community, and Black History Month in Maryland
Black History Month offers an opportunity to acknowledge the people who have shaped cannabis culture and continue to advance the industry. In Maryland, Black-owned dispensaries and Black-led brands are building businesses, opening doors, and advancing the industry—while organizations like the Last Prisoner Project continue important work beyond retail. Together, these efforts are helping to define the present and future of Maryland's cannabis industry.
Mary & Main: A Model for Cannabis Retail
Founded and led by Hope Wiseman, Mary & Main is widely recognized as one of Maryland’s first Black-owned cannabis dispensaries. Beyond that milestone, the dispensary has become one of the most successful in Prince George’s County and statewide, recognized for a thoughtful retail experience and a strong commitment to education.
Wiseman’s approach has always paired compliance with accessibility, creating a space where customers feel informed, welcome, and respected. Outside the dispensary, her advocacy and mentorship efforts have helped expand conversations around ownership and access in cannabis. Mary & Main continues to serve as a blueprint for sustainable, values-driven cannabis retail in Maryland.
The Forest: Community-Focused Cannabis in Baltimore
Located in Baltimore, The Forest is owned by Christina Johnson and reflects a community-first approach to cannabis retail. Connected to Standard Wellness Maryland, the dispensary is minority- and women-owned, with social equity principles guiding its operations.
For customers, that focus shows up beyond the menu. From staff education to neighborhood engagement, The Forest emphasizes wellness, inclusion, and responsible growth—demonstrating how dispensaries can serve as both retail destinations and community anchors.
FLWR Dispensary: Maryland’s Next Wave of Social Equity Retail
FLWR Dispensary represents the next chapter of social equity cannabis in Maryland. Opening in Towson in late 2025, the team behind FLWR prioritized community connection and operational excellence before aggressive marketing.
Recognized as the first social equity dispensary to open in Baltimore County, FLWR’s launch signals momentum: more equity licenses are becoming operational storefronts, and more local ownership is shaping Maryland’s regulated cannabis market.
Black-Owned Cannabis Brands Building Momentum in Maryland
Many Black-owned and Black-led cannabis brands in Maryland are finding new ways to expand responsibly—often through selective partnerships, including collaborations with SunMed and brand ambassadors. While ownership remains critical, strategic partnerships can also help Black-owned cannabis brands reach new markets, protect legacy culture, and scale responsibly.
GLOW: Women-Led Cannabis, Designed With Intention
Founded by Christina Johnson in partnership with Standard Wellness Maryland, GLOW is Maryland’s first women- and minority-owned cannabis brand. Designed with balance and accessibility in mind, GLOW offers precisely dosed gummies and vape cartridges that blend style, functionality, and flavor.
Crafted to fit seamlessly into active lifestyles, GLOW’s chic, discreet gummies are easy to enjoy and share, delivering a consistent, intentional experience. The brand reflects a purpose-driven approach to cannabis—centering women, wellness, and everyday ease.
House of Kush: Legacy Genetics, Maryland Grown
Led by CEO and co-founder Reggie Harris, House of Kush has built a reputation around honoring legacy strain culture while operating within modern regulatory frameworks. Through its partnership with SunMed, House of Kush brought its sought-after genetics and brand identity to Maryland consumers.
The collaboration paired cultivation expertise with cultural credibility—bridging legacy cannabis with licensed access and expanding availability without losing authenticity.
Mother Exotic: Women-Owned, Minority-Led Cannabis With Purpose
Founded by Sakara Barnes, Mother Exotic is a women-owned, minority-led cannabis brand originating in Los Angeles that entered the Maryland market through a partnership with SunMed Growers. Established in 2019, the brand is known for its commitment to responsible cultivation, education, and community empowerment, and for setting high standards of quality and integrity across the cannabis supply chain.
Beyond product availability, Mother Exotic emphasizes presence—showing up through in-person activations, cultural events, and advocacy. The brand demonstrates how cannabis companies can be both premium and purposeful, using visible leadership to expand opportunity while staying connected to communities most impacted by cannabis prohibition.
BL^CK MRKT: Culture-Forward, Maryland Built
Founded by CEO Seth Murphy, BL^CK MRKT brings a culture-forward, premium approach to Maryland cannabis rooted in Baltimore and shaped by decades of advocacy and industry experience. As one of Maryland’s only Black-owned, vertically integrated cannabis companies, the brand emphasizes small-batch quality, intentional growth, and long-term community investment. More than a name, BL^CK MRKT represents a commitment to craftsmanship, representation, and honoring the culture that built cannabis long before legalization.
Looking Forward
Black History Month is about honoring contributions—but it’s also about recognizing momentum. In Maryland, cannabis momentum shows up in dispensaries that feel like community spaces, in brands that protect culture while scaling responsibly, and in social equity licenses turning into real businesses.
FLWR is one example. Mary & Main, The Forest, House of Kush, and Mother Exotic are others. Together, they point toward a future that’s still unfolding—and worth paying attention to.
