Christina Betancourt Johnson has made history in the cannabis sector.

The Washington, DC, native with 15 years of experience as an executive — per Honeysuckle magazine — is the founder and CEO of

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 existence is historic as it is the first vertically integrated cannabis company in the United States majority-owned by an African American and Latina, according to the social equity office in Maryland. It is licensed to cultivate cannabis in Utah, Ohio, and Missouri and opened a facility, The Forest, earlier this year in Baltimore, MD’s Canton neighborhood. For Johnson, this provides more opportunity for greater change in the industry.

“For me, cannabis is more than an industry — it’s a platform for change. At The Forest by Standard Wellness Maryland, we are committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable future, where communities impacted by the War on Drugs have a real stake in this industry,” she expressed in a post shared on LinkedIn. “Through my work with the U.S. Cannabis Council and National Hispanic Cannabis Council, I remain dedicated to ensuring that social equity is more than just a talking point — it’s a movement.”

Member of the Southern Maryland Delegation C.T. Wilson, chairman of the Economic Matters Committee, shared his support of The Forest as well. Wilson, who co-sponsored Maryland’s House Bill 556 allowing adult use of cannabis in the state, said, per Outlaw Report:
“This moment is not just about one business — it’s a step toward leveling the playing field and fostering inclusive growth across our economy. When businesses like these thrive, so does the broader community.”