Black History Month isn’t something I acknowledge just because it’s February. For me, it’s personal.
My husband and I own Dogwood Green together. I’m a Black woman. He’s a U.S. Army veteran. That makes us a Black-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned dispensary in New Jersey — diversity at work in real time.
And in the cannabis industry, that matters.
When I really sit with what it means to own a legal dispensary in NJ — knowing how the war on drugs disproportionately impacted Black and Brown communities — it still feels surreal. The same plant that led to arrests, incarceration, and generational setbacks in our communities is now sold legally in regulated storefronts like ours.
So yes, I’m proud to be part of progress. But I’m also deeply aware of the history that makes Black ownership in cannabis significant.
The Numbers Still Tell a Story
Cannabis is now a multi-billion-dollar industry nationwide. But representation at the ownership level remains low.
Only about 4% of cannabis businesses in the U.S. are Black-owned. When you narrow that down to Black women who own dispensaries, the percentage becomes even smaller — a fraction in an industry that continues to grow rapidly.
For a market shaped by policies that disproportionately harmed Black communities, the lack of ownership equity is still glaring.
That’s why being a Black woman owned cannabis business in New Jersey isn’t something I take lightly. It’s responsibility. It’s visibility. It’s impact.
What It Means to Be a Minority-Owned Dispensary in West Orange
We didn’t enter this space to be symbolic. We entered it to build something sustainable, ethical, and community-driven.
As a minority-owned dispensary in West Orange, we focus on:
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Education and transparency
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Hiring locally
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Creating a welcoming environment
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Serving customers with respect
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Operating with integrity
My husband’s experience as a veteran shapes how we run our business — disciplined, structured, service-oriented. My experience as a Black woman entrepreneur shapes how we build culture — intentional, community-focused, and unapologetically authentic.
Together, that’s the foundation of Dogwood Green.
Why Supporting a Black-Owned Dispensary in NJ Matters
When customers choose to support a Black-owned dispensary in NJ, they’re doing more than shopping local.
They’re helping:
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Circulate dollars within historically underserved communities
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Build generational wealth
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Support veteran entrepreneurship
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Expand representation in a growing industry
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Reinforce that ownership should reflect the communities most impacted
Supporting Black-owned businesses in New Jersey isn’t about trends. It’s about long-term equity.
Black History Month reminds me that progress isn’t automatic — it’s built. And ownership is one of the most powerful forms of progress.
Joy Is Still Part of the Work
There’s weight in this industry’s history. But there’s also joy.
We’ve built a space where people feel comfortable asking questions. Where first-time customers aren’t intimidated. Where education comes before sales. Where culture, music (we now have records for sale!), and community are part of the experience.
Being a Black woman dispensary owner isn’t just about visibility — it’s about showing what’s possible when opportunity meets access.
And yes, I believe the ancestors are proud.
Visit Us in West Orange
If you’re looking for a Black-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned dispensary in New Jersey, we invite you to come experience Dogwood Green for yourself.
Stop by our West Orange location, meet our team, ask questions, and see what community-focused cannabis retail looks like.
Your support matters. Your presence matters. And we’d love to welcome you in.
