Hello Inner Circle,
I’ve been busy!
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’ve been primarily working on completing my business plan and pitch deck. Let’s just say it’s more work than I expected. My goal is to walk away from the Finnovation Fellowship (in June) with a bold vision and a realistic actionable plan. Turns out being realistic and bold takes a lot of thought and consideration. What we are building is important and the cannabis industry is unforgiving, so I have to be strategic even when it feels like it’s slowing me down.
Alongside the fellowship, I completed the Breaking Barriers cohort led by Calandra Revering, the first Black woman to own a dispensary in Minnesota. We met for 10 weeks learning from experts how to navigate the cannabis industry. Shout out to all the Cohort members! I’m looking forward to seeing us open doors! I appreciate the intentionality of focusing on Black entrepreneurs - we truly need more resources like Breaking Barriers.
I recently attended the Flourish Investment Forum and NECANN, a cannabis convention. Mike Lumoto asked me to co-facilitate a workshop with the Minority Cannabis Business Association at NECANN and of course I said yes! We gave attendees a chance to apply what they were learning in real time. It was my first time facilitating a cannabis related workshop, but it will not be my last.
About a month ago I applied for the MN Cup, the biggest startup competition in Minnesota! I just got the email letting us know we didn’t get selected. It’s all good! The application process itself helped me to sharpen my vision and clarify the business model. As I struggled to fit my answers within the word count limit, I was reminded of all the work I’ve put into building Itz Personal over the last couple of years.
That process also made me realize that I haven’t done the best job of keeping you in the loop along the way. So in this month’s blog, I’m sharing the background of Itz Personal, what we’ve been doing, and where we are headed next.
Thanks for being part of the journey. We are building the foundation!
In community,
Tyjuan Morrow
Founder, Itz Personal
Knowledge changes power dynamics. By uncovering the truth behind decades of targeted enforcement, we dismantle the myths used to justify criminalization and replace them with a roadmap for restorative justice. Together, we use this education to make informed choices that advance racial equity, build opportunity, and empower our collective voice to ensure the future of cannabis is equitable.
Black-Owned Cannabis Business Guide
There are so many amazing Black-owned cannabis brands! Check out the Itz Personal Black-Owned Cannabis Business Guide - this is a living document and will be updated regularly. Let us know what Brands need to be on this list if you see any missing!
States with the Most Black-Owned Cannabis Brands
The following five states currently lead the nation in Black-owned cannabis representation, largely due to established social equity licensing programs:
California: The largest market with a deep history of advocacy and equity-led brands.
New York: A rapidly expanding landscape with dozens of new social equity retailers.
Illinois: Home to several high-profile brands and community-focused dispensaries.
New Jersey: A strong surge in Black-owned businesses following the 2022 retail launch.
Massachusetts: Pioneer of the first social equity programs in the country.
From my granny’s basement to a retail location, it has always been deeper than the hustle.
This is a brief look into the journey behind Itz Personal - what shaped it, how far we’ve come, and where we’re headed next. Read why Itz Personal is more than a cannabis company, it’s the evolution of a life centered on healing, opportunity, and community.
Building an Equitable Industry
We are grateful for the individuals and organizations supporting Black entrepreneurship in cannabis. These folks are working to ensure the Black community isn’t left out and has the network of support needed to thrive in this complex industry.
National Leadership: Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) | The MCBA is the first non-profit organization created specifically to progress the cannabis industry by increasing diversity. By focusing on policy and professional development, MCBA serves as a primary advocate for equity on a national scale. |
Education & Advocacy: Minnesota Cannabis College | The Minnesota Cannabis College's mission is to educate and support individuals seeking careers or entrepreneurial opportunities in the state's expanding industry. The provide training on cultivation, extraction, and legal compliance to those facing barriers to traditional education and employment. |
Local Impact: Communities Unifying Through Justice and Inclusion | Through their Breaking Barriers Program, this organization offers a comprehensive 10-week cannabis education course guided by professionals with practical experience and industry expertise to support individuals at various stages of readiness as they enter, operate, and sustain compliant cannabis businesses. |
Policy in Action: OCM Division of Social Equity | The Office of Cannabis Management’s Division of Social Equity works to promote development, stability, and safety in communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition by utilizing reinvestment grants and licensing support to ensure the industry serves as a vehicle for restorative justice. |
Our community is stronger when we grow together. Join us in supporting these organizations as they pave the way for a more just and inclusive cannabis industry.
This year we will see more dispensaries opening their doors! It’s an exciting time for the cannabis community but we cannot let the hype of legalization cloud the need for restoration.
Do these things to continue supporting Itz Personal:
Subscribe to the Itz Personal newsletter
Share the website: www.itzpersonalcannabis.com
Follow us on social media (like and share!)
Send a message! Let’s build this community together! If you have any questions, reflections, or requests, I want to hear from you.
Together, we are paving a path toward repair, empowerment, and real equity. Thank you for being here, being intentional, and investing in high quality and higher impact.
