Few people know this better than Virgil Grant, who was instrumental in bringing Los Angeles’ cannabis industry and social equity program to life. “I got Measure M passed and a social equity program voted on unanimously. I just did what I knew was the right thing for my people and my industry colleagues. When they write the history books about cannabis, there’s no way a book can be written without Virgil’s name in it,” he says during a phone call with Leafly. Early Days. Growing up, Grant’s athletic talents offered an escape from adversity. His journey into cannabis entrepreneurship began inno ..read more

This blog explores the challenges facing California’s cannabis industry seven years after legalization, as licensed sellers continue to grapple with stiff competition from the illicit market. With wholesale prices plummeting and profit margins shrinking, experts delve into the root causes, including the surplus of product and limited retail options due to local bans on cannabis sales. The prohibition of interstate commerce exacerbates the issue, preventing California from transporting its excess marijuana to other states where it’s legal. Despite efforts to boost legal operations and expand r ..read more

This blog delves into the intricacies of California’s marijuana social equity program, examining its implementation and the challenges faced at the local level. While some cities have initiated social equity initiatives, the effectiveness varies widely, with issues ranging from lack of capital support to instances of corruption and predatory practices. Through interviews with industry experts and stakeholders, including Virgil Grant, a Los Angeles dispensary owner and co-founder of the California Minority Alliance, the piece highlights the hurdles faced by social equity applicants. Grant’s p ..read more

Virgil Grant, a prominent figure in the Los Angeles cannabis industry since 2002, shares insights into the challenges and opportunities facing minorities in the marijuana trade. From experiencing firsthand the legal hurdles due to DEA raids to co-founding the California Minority Alliance, Grant’s journey reflects the complexities of navigating the cannabis business as a minority entrepreneur. In this illuminating Q&A with Marijuana Business Daily, Grant discusses the pressing need for minority representation in the industry, citing the disproportionate impact of legal consequences on min ..read more

The MJBizCon panel, titled “Cannabis Industry Outlook: Trends, Obstacles and Strategies to Survive,” featured industry leaders discussing the potential rescheduling of marijuana by the Biden administration. Panelists expressed optimism for the industry’s future, hoping for relief from steep taxes imposed by Section 280E of the federal tax code. Virgil Grant, CEO of the California Cannabis retail chain, shared his ongoing challenges, including a recent bank account closure, emphasizing the need for regulatory changes. Grant, despite serving six years in federal prison for operating a state-le ..read more

In the latest news about Los Angeles’ cannabis industry, there have been major shifts and potential roadblocks highlighted by renowned business owner Virgil Grant, of California Cannabis. This blog dives into the recent stepping down of the head of LA’s Department of Cannabis Regulation, followed by a new motion introduced by the City Council that aims to give licensed cannabis businesses a placard to verify their legitimacy. Despite these strides, entrepreneurs like Virgil Grant feel the progress isn’t rapid enough. As a pioneer in the industry, Grant has been instrumental in passing Measur ..read more

Virgil Grant’s California Cannabis dispensary receives a makeover on discovery+ show “High Design.”  Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihdWv3NzvzU (Los Angeles, CA) – Virgil Grant’s California Cannabis dispensary in Los Angeles’ Melrose District (654 N Manhattan Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90004) receives a makeover on “High Design,” a new discovery+ series that renovates 6 cannabis shops from California to Maine. Grant’s business is transformed from a non-descript storefront to a vibrant motif that embodies the Southern California native’s love for the beach. In the episode, Grant discus ..read more

Social equity is one of the hottest conversations in cannabis. That’s because the cannabis industry and the lawmakers policing it need to atone for all of the damage they’ve done to Black and Brown communities. Few people know this better than Virgil Grant, who was instrumental in bringing Los Angeles’ cannabis industry and social equity program to life. “I got Measure M passed and a social equity program voted on unanimously. I just did what I knew was the right thing for my people and my industry colleagues. When they write the history books about cannabis, there’s no way a book can be wri ..read more

*California Cannabis dispensary owner and social equity advocate Virgil Grant has taken the first steps to cultivate California Cannabis Farms. The businessman who owns three retail shops in Los Angeles has purchased 120 acres of land in Whitehorn in Northern California’s Southern Humboldt county. “It’s huge for me to be a Black farmer in the cannabis industry. … It’s huge for the company to have its footprint, and to be a shareholder, and have stock in the southern California market.” – Virgil Grant Grant, the 30-year Cannabis pioneer who was instrumental in the writing and passing of Los An ..read more

When his medical cannabis operation was raided in 2008, Virgil Grant wound up in prison. Now he’s back in business, and determined to make space for people of color in an industry that’s fast being whitewashed They were two sides of California’s cannabis industry, ambitious operators who prepared for the day this state would become the world’s biggest legal market. Eaze, a San Francisco-based startup, started delivering medical cannabis in 2014. Venture capital infusions enabled the company to hire dozens of employees, crunch data and refine a mobile app in advance of cannabis turning fully ..read more