Star Buds Becomes First Predominantly Black-Owned Licensed Cannabis Company To Open Shop In Illinois

The cannabis social equity corporate entity is two-thirds Black-owned and will push forward Star Buds’ goal to create more jobs in a state heavily impacted by the war on drugs, Black Cannabis Magazine reports.

“If you’re really looking at eradicating the generational wealth gap in minorities you’ve got to bring access and diversity into business such as this that can do just that,” said Tiffany Hightower, part owner of Star Buds, according to Black Cannabis Magazine.

Earlier this week, Star Buds joined SB IL Grow LLC for a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the Illinois Department of Agriculture as they also commemorated becoming the first craft grower to open in “The Prairie State.”

“Proud to a part of an amazing team with an amazing group of people. We all really worked our butts off to get here. To be the first Responsible Vendor approved by the state of Illinois , The First Cannabis Transportation license, now to be the first Predominately Black Owned Craft Grow to open is a Blessing,” said partner Victoria Williams, according to the outlet.

Star Buds’ feat is yet another addition to the movement of Black-led companies receiving the green light to distribute within states. As AfroTech just told you, Terry Donnell Gwinn also secured a victory in the sector as a Black farmer who leads the first business to be licensed as a medical marijuana operator in Florida.

These victories are all the more important as only two percent of Black entrepreneurs have ownership in the cannabis space.

“Mr. Gwinn is very pleased that his application was selected for licensure and is grateful for the hard work by the Florida Department of Health, Office of Medical Marijuana Use, to complete the review of the applications received. He looks forward to working with the office to complete the final steps to licensure,” Gwinn’s attorney, Jim McKee, said in a statement, according to Orlando Sentinel.