November 17, 2025
A current evaluation revealed that Black individuals personal lower than 2% of all nationwide dispensaries.
The Black woman-owned medicinal hashish model, GŪD Essence, has opened its first retail dispensary in Clearwater, Florida. Jasmine Johnson, the founding father of the model, says that opening the primary retail house is greater than a milestone, however a homecoming for the born-and-raised Floridian.
“That is very massive,” says Johnson. “Stepping into Florida is without doubt one of the most tough markets to interrupt into … I’m actually proud to have the ability to do that with my household assist, my dad and mom, and likewise to not have exterior {dollars} interrupt the integrity of what we’re attempting to do right here.”
Whereas the precise numbers are tough to pinpoint as a result of evolving nature of the trade, a current evaluation revealed that Black individuals personal lower than 2% of all nationwide dispensaries. In Florida, the place medical marijuana and low-THC hashish are permitted, Store Cuzzies reveals that there are fewer than 5 Black-owned dispensaries. Excessive entry prices are one issue contributing to the dearth of retail variety, together with the challenges confronted by fairness candidates with out vital company backing.
Johnson has had her justifiable share of setbacks.
Pivoting After Denial by the State of Florida
Johnson says the primary spherical of licenses awarded felt like a thriller. It was solely after the primary 5 licenses had been awarded round 2017 that she realized it was an utility to use. She and her group thought the subsequent spherical of functions would open up in lower than a yr, however the alternative to use once more was a seven-year wait.
After spending $148,000 on the applying price and dedicating time to a 750-page utility, she was nonetheless not awarded a license. Florida hadn’t reopened its utility since she utilized, so she went in a special course, involving a partnership and an acquisition.
“Proper now, we’re ready on the license to be awarded,” says Johnson. “There have been 22 notices of intent to award. We now have entered a purchase order settlement to buy a type of licenses.”
She provides, “It has been ups, downs, and all arounds, however it has by no means been, ‘Let’s quit or take a look at a special state.’”
What To Count on Inside GŪD Essence Dispensary
What units GŪD Essence aside from its opponents is that Johnson prioritizes the “good half” of the hashish trade and its tradition. The “Ū” in her model represents unity.
Johnson needs individuals to concentrate on centering themselves and understanding why they’re consuming the hashish plant, what they need their expertise to be, and finally, what they need to achieve.
“It’s not about getting excessive. It’s past that,” says Johnson. “Our mannequin is all issues cannabinoids. For instance, some cannabinoids are a bit stronger than Ozempic. If individuals are searching for an Adderall model, there’s a cannabinoid for that.”
In keeping with Johnson, Florida has one of many largest affected person markets on the earth for medicinal hashish, and he or she feels cannabinoids don’t get the eye they deserve for his or her medicinal worth. Whereas educating individuals about the advantages is a precedence for anybody who walks by way of her doorways, she hopes the dispensary’s daring, shiny colours function an invite to these searching for a welcoming house.
“That’s one thing I feel is desperately wanted within the hashish house. Hashish is meant to be a enjoyable, pleasant expertise,” says Johnson, who additionally has a background in hospitality and tourism administration. “We’re right here to carry the colour again, together with the heat and hospitality.”
A medical affected person card is just not required, because the merchandise on the Clearwater location can be found to each affected person and non-patient cardholders.
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