The Cannabis Association of New York held its first Black History Month event, highlighting Black pioneers in New York’s budding cannabis industry.  

The entrepreneurs being highlighted were honored for paving the way for people of color in the marijuana industry.  

The first woman of color to obtain a marijuana license in New York state, Nicole Nidiaye, says this is an opportunity for people of color to create generational wealth.  

“Most Black and brown people, we lived in communities that were heavily policed. We were the most impacted by the war on drugs,” said Nidiaye. “ It was a trickle effect, because if your dad or mom got arrested for marijuana, they couldn’t go to school, they couldn’t get a degree, they couldn’t get an education to get a high-paying job.” 

The pioneers being honored shared their heartfelt journeys to obtaining their cannabis license and received awards for their work in their businesses and the community.