19 Entrepreneurs Shaping D.C.’s Cannabis + CBD Industries

Initiative 71 has allowed for a rich cannabis culture to bloom in D.C. Between CBD businesses, gifting shops and infused food services, cannabis products are increasingly available to those looking to relax, enjoy a high or anything in-between. We talked with 19 local cannabis and CBD entrepreneurs about their businesses, favorites and the future of cannabis in the DMV.

Author’s note: The majority of businesses included in this article associated with cannabis operate under D.C.’s Initiative 71, which means they do not assign a monetary value to anything with marijuana or THC in the ingredients. Instead, the items noted in the story are gifted along with the purchase of a different product, such as clothing or artwork. For more about I-71, visit www.mayor.dc.gov.

BĀKT CO.
Esteban Cantillo, Chef + Owner

Double Fudge Bustelo Brownies. Photo courtesy of BĀkT Co.

Favorite strain of cannabis
Grand Daddy Purps. This one is more of a nostalgic thing for me. The smell alone reminds me of some of my favorite people.

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
I mostly prefer smoking cannabis (joints and blunts) but am slowly gravitating toward edibles and infused savory foods. 

Standout product
All of our products truly fight for the number one spot, but our standout is probably our Double Fudge Bustelo Brownie. This became our unofficial signature item behind our OG Chocolate Chunk cookies over the last few months. It’s hard to argue with double fudge, Bustelo espresso and condensed milk. Think café con leche (coffee with milk) in brownie form.

Most unique aspect of your business
We wanted to elevate the edible game without making it snobby or stuffy: The same quality, care and service you’d get in some of the best Michelin-rated restaurants across the world for a reasonable price so everybody can enjoy — not just the privileged few. 

Future of cannabis in the DMV
Although it feels like a slow and steady race, cannabis reform is absolutely taking charge in the coming months and years. I can see the DMV looking more like the West Coast in terms of cannabis accessibility, without the legal gray areas, sooner than we think.

Learn more at www.baktdc.com and follow @baktco on Instagram.

BOUQÉ ROLLING PAPERS
Corey Dunson, Founder + CEO

Photo courtesy of Bouqé Rolling Papers.

Favorite strain of cannabis
White Widow. That flower never fails.

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
My favorite way to consume is by rolling a joint, a.k.a. a Bouqé. Rolling is a part of my process, and for me, it is very therapeutic.

Standout product
Our dark walnut rolling tray. This is a fan favorite. Everyone who sees it wants one.

Most unique aspect of your business
In addition to selling quality cannabis accessories, our team is very active in our community. Tune in to our Saturday Smoke session on the last Saturday of the month on Clubhouse with Marijuana Matters, where our community can come to discuss [and] learn about everything that’s happening in our amazing industry. 

Future of cannabis in the DMV
I see a bright future for the DMV cannabis industry. The area already has a rich culture and I believe our industry will only flourish more as laws and regulations become less restrictive.

Learn more at www.rollingbouqe.com and follow @rolling_bouqes on Instagram.

DISTRICT CANNABIS
Grace Hyde, Chief Operating Officer

Gelato Cake. Photo courtesy of District Cannabis.

Favorite strain of cannabis
Cherry Chem.

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
Vaporizing concentrate with a Puffco Peak.

Standout product
Our strain Gelato Cake is far and away our most popular product. It has high levels of the terpene linalool, which makes it very calming in addition to having a delicious flavor profile and effects that are consistent, batch after batch.

Most unique aspect of your business
[We are] truly owner-operated. Both owners [are] medical patients who use our products. Owner Andras Kirschner designed, built and oversees the cultivation at both facilities. Quality and consistency is at the forefront of every decision we make.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
Recreational cannabis in the District is inevitable in the next few years, and something the actual citizens of D.C. have wanted for a long time. The Harris rider on the House appropriations bill is only holding D.C. back from a plethora of benefits including job creation, racial justice initiatives and a windfall of tax revenue, just to name a few.

Learn more at www.districtcannabis.us and follow @districtcannabis.us on Instagram.

DISTRICT DERP
Anaïs Hayes, COO + Head Baker

District Derp’s Anaïs Hayes. Photo courtesy of subject.

Favorite strain of cannabis
If I’m looking to get out with the pups, I’m all about Super Lemon Haze. But if I’m winding down for the night [and] maybe enjoying a face mask, then it’s got to be Grandaddy Purple.

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
With a water piece, preferably a bong. The flavors and smoke are so smooth after filtering through water. It enhances the whole experience.

Standout product
I’d have to say our gummies. They’re made completely from scratch, are out of this world fruity and are the perfect level of chewiness.

Most unique aspect of your business
Our devotion to elevating the experiences and expectations our clients have with cannabis. We’re not just giving out high-quality gifts, we’re empowering our community to be knowledgeable and kick-ass consumers, whether they’re children of the ‘60s or newcomers to the plant. 

Future of cannabis in the DMV
I see cannabis having a big role to play in building back up the parts of our community that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic and the War on Drugs. There will be a big boom in terms of cannabis-related businesses, beyond retailers and growers. I’m dreaming of softly lit cafés and lounges: somewhere stressed-out citizens can smoke, enjoy and connect with one another. This plant we love so much has the incredible ability to catalyze connection and compassion, and there’s a lot of opportunity in that.

Learn more at www.districtderp.com and follow @districtderp on Instagram.

DISTRICT HEMP BOTANICALS
Barbara Biddle, Founder

Palmetto D-8 Gummies. Photo courtesy of District Hemp Botanicals.

Favorite strain of CBD
Blueberry Muffin Hemp Pre-Roll.

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
Vaping.

Standout product
Palmetto Delta-8 gummies.

Most unique aspect of your business
We carefully curate our products to make sure we’re only offering the very best to our customers. We also focus a lot on the customer experience and listening to what our customers want.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
I think we will see a big increase in recreational marijuana retail options as soon as it becomes fully legal in the area. We will hopefully begin to look more like California and Colorado in terms of availability and accessibility.

Learn more at www.districthempstore.com and follow @districthemp on Instagram.

FLOWERZ
Chad Frey, CEO

Delta-8 Infused Fruit Thins. Photo courtesy of Flowerz.

Favorite strain of CBD
Hawaiin Haze.

Preferred method of enjoying CBD
It really depends on the day and environment, just like choosing a wine with dinner or a cocktail on the beach. After a long day, I really enjoy hitting some fresh ground flower. For the weekends, I will take a vape out with me on the go. And for experiencing a new adventure, I like to share edibles with friends.

Standout product
Our best product over the years has been Hawaiian Haze flower. Our standout right now is our Delta-8 all-natural fruit thins (think a fruit rollup cut into small-dosed pieces with no added sugar). [It’s] perfect for new cannabis users [who] don’t want the anxiety.

Most unique aspect of your business
Easy: the people and the passion we have for the community. Our core beliefs are founded in being the best at what we do and making an impact that is greater than just cannabis.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
D.C. will be an East Coast driver for the cannabis industry and the culture that drives it. Now that New York has passed its marijuana legislation, it will have reverberation with the DMV. Maryland and Virginia are the next dominoes falling in place quickly.

Learn more at www.pickflowerz.com and follow @pickflowerz on Instagram.

THE GIFT
Cory Moore, CEO + Liz Robinson, COO

Self Care Trio. Photo courtesy of The Gift.

Favorite strain of CBD
Elektra. We love strains with a high flavonoid content and Elektra has lots of anthocyanin: the flavonoid responsible for the purple color. 

Preferred method of enjoying CBD
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for so much of our health, so we hit every receptor possible through smoking, tinctures, topicals and edibles. We use The Gift’s Rejuvenation Hemp Balm and Balance Whole Plant Hemp Oil twice a day.

Standout product
Our Self-Care Trio kit includes our top sellers: Rejuvenation Hemp Balm, Balance Whole Plant Hemp Oil and Restorative Hemp Bath Salts. 

Most unique aspect of your business
We focus on education and creating products that are rich in phytonutrients. The cannabis/hemp plant can contain up to 545 chemical compounds, so we choose extracts like FECO (full extract cannabis oil) that contain all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, healthy fats and vitamins available in the plant. 

Future of cannabis in the DMV
We hope to see craft cannabis licenses similar to microbreweries that would allow some of the awesome home growers in D.C. to build businesses and move into larger-scale cultivation. We must provide opportunities for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to create equity in the cannabis industry.

Learn more at www.thegiftwellness.com and follow @completelygifted on Instagram.

GIFTED CURATORS
Tim Slay, Lead Curator

Purple Kush. Photo courtesy of Gifted Curators.

Favorite strain of cannabis
Purple Kush [is] definitely one of my favorite ways to relax after a long day.

Preferred method of enjoying cannbis
I prefer to hand roll, usually in OCB papers. They are the thinnest and burn slower so you get the maximum flavor and effect from your flower.

Standout product
The Next-Level Dipped and Infused Pre-Rolls, for sure. They’re pretty, rolled joints filled with high-quality flower, then infused and dipped in rosin and rolled in kief. They’ll get you where you need to go.

Most unique aspect of your business
The shop culture, all the way. The curators are all a fun bunch here and we’re hyperfocused on the guest’s experience. From first-timers to day ones, everyone leaves with a smile every time.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
The future of cannabis is bright in the DMV. Virginia decriminalizing was huge and I believe things are definitely looking up. It’s encouraging to see the negative opinions of cannabis finally eroding away. We’re all looking forward to a situation where cannabis is free of stigma and easily accessible to all.

Learn more at www.giftedcuratorsdc.com and follow @giftedcurators.dc on Instagram.

GLASS HOUSE GALLERY
Ben Dennis, Shop Manager

Glass House Gallery pipe by Eusheen + Darby Holm. Photo by THC Samuel.

Favorite strain of cannabis
A good lemon cherry gelato never fails me.

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
Six-star hash rosin dabs.

Standout product
We try to make sure every customer leaves with a unique piece of art suited to their style and consumption needs.

Most unique aspect of your business
Our relationships with artists and our unique knowledge and passion make us a top destination on the East Coast and definitely in D.C. We live this, we love it and we hope that resonates when you visit our gallery. 

Future of cannabis in the DMV
We shall see. I think any laws relaxing the use of cannabis will be a good thing for our community and the local economy.

Learn more at www.fb.com/glasshousegallerydc and follow @glasshousegallerydc on Instagram.

GREEN PANTHER CHEF
Jazmine Moore (a.k.a Chef Jazz), Founder + CEO

Photo courtesy of Green Panther Chef.

Favorite strain of cannabis
Gelato. 

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
Consumption through food, drinks and tinctures. But I do inhale from time to time. 

Standout product
Our artisan CBD-infused hot sauce: Up in Smoke.

Most unique aspect of your business
Our holistic and sustainable approach to cannabis and food curated through the lens of a Crohn’s [disease] survivor. 

Future of cannabis in the DMV
[I see] cannabis becoming more mainstream in hospitality, entertainment and retail spaces. 

Learn more at www.greenpantherchef.com and follow @greenpantherchef on Instagram.

I+I Botanicals
Jennifer Culpepper, Cofounder

Body mist + face serum. Photo courtesy of I+I Botanicals.

Favorite strain of CBD
I don’t have a favorite strain. We prefer to use full-spectrum CBD in our products to get the benefits of all the cannabinoids in the hemp plant.

Preferred method of enjoying CBD
While there are many benefits of ingesting CBD and cannabis, I’m pretty obsessed with using it on my skin because you can see the results so quickly and profoundly.

Standout product
It’s hard to pick a favorite because I truly love all our products. However, if I have to choose, our face serum is really like a miracle potion. It is a great daily moisturizer and feels luxurious on the skin. It’s incredible [for helping to] calm and prevent rosacea and acne. I’ve also found it works wonders on sunburns and other skin irritations.

Most unique aspect of your business
[Cofounder] Selam Kelati and I come from very different backgrounds. I think the different viewpoints we bring helps us to empathize and create products for people with all different skin types and concerns. Selam also brings with her a vast knowledge of natural plant-based ingredients [to] help us create unique products that are both effective and good for the body.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
I think we’ll see cannabis legalization soon. What will that look like? I don’t know. I think CBD regulation could be very good for the clean beauty movement. If the regulations are created right, it could be a guide as to how to create standards for clean beauty. We self-impose strict sourcing and supply chain oversight, as well as several rounds of third-party testing, to ensure our ingredients are free from toxins and [have] accurate levels of CBD. I’d like to see this be an industry standard.

Learn more at www.iandibotanicals.com and follow @i.and.i.botanicals on Instagram.

LOCO HEMP
Louis Bergeron, Owner + Operator

Photo courtesy of LoCo Hemp.

Favorite strain of CBD
People like our Cherrywine and BaOx varieties. 

Preferred method of enjoying CBD
People prefer our CBD oil and dry vaping our CBD flower. Dogs enjoy our hemp stalks to chew on.

Standout product
Our Full Spectrum 1500mg CBD Oil. It’s effective and simple. 

Most unique aspect of your business
We are veteran-owned and grown right here in Loudoun County (LoCo), Virginia. We grow outdoors to create a premium, small-batch product and sell locally. We’re not trying to be the biggest operation; [we’re] just trying to demonstrate that small, local farmers can and should get into growing hemp.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
I think hemperies are the next big thing in the region following wineries, breweries [and] cideries. People will love seeing hemp, and eventually marijuana, growing in the Virginia soil and sun after being absent for some many years. The challenge will be the federal regulations, with so many people in the area having to maintain government jobs. But I think in five years, we’ll be [in] a very different place. I’m just glad to be one of the first licensed hemp farmers in Virginia and can’t wait for more people to grow and experience hemp. 

Learn more at www.locohempva.com and follow @locohempva on Instagram.

THE OUNCE
Ray Dixon, Founder + Lead Consultant 

CBD Muscle & Pain Balm. Photo courtesy of The Ounce.

Favorite strain of CBD
Currently, my favorite strain of CBD is Mountain Mango, which The Ounce carries.

Preferred method of enjoying CBD
I really enjoy the ease and convenience of using water soluble CBD in my smoothie or tea, but nothing does it for me quite like a little smoke after a long day.

Standout product
Our CBD Muscle & Pain Balm. It’s infused with a number of essential oils and works well for pain, skin irritation, inflammation, and loosening joints and muscles. 

Most unique aspect of your business
Products and local hand-delivery service (often same day) aside, The Ounce is distinguished through our community involvement, advocacy, and celebration of marginalized communities and diverse people. We’ve worked with National Expungement Week (2019 and 2020), Black Women Benefit (a grassroots nonprofit organization) and Marijuana Justice’s Legalize It Right campaign, among other efforts.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
That largely depends on the provisions in each respective municipality’s final bill and the individuals overseeing licensing. Illinois is currently working to remedy major diversity issues in their newly regulated cannabis industry, where nearly $700 million dollars was generated in the first year without a single new minority license holder. If the goal is to make the sale of cannabis more equitable, I feel it’s important to consider the successes and failures of other markets.

Learn more at www.theouncebrand.com and follow @theouncebrand on Instagram.

PINK FOX
Mark Nagib, Co-Owner + Creative Director

Processed with VSCO with kp9 preset

Favorite strain of cannabis
Tough question. If I am honest: weed. I [don’t] believe in indica or sativa being indicative of how the strain will make you feel. I want something 27% THC or higher, please and thank you. 

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
A water bong: a combination of that big deep hit, the cloudy exhale, and that bubbling sound made famous on musical tracks by Snoop, Dr. Dre and Cypress Hill. 

Standout product
The Lincoln T-shirt. It is Pink Fox’s most popular and best-selling shirt, and the gift it comes with ain’t bad either.

Most unique aspect of your business
We are building a lifestyle movement in the nation’s capital. Initiative 71 has evolved into so much more than the legislation that legalized cannabis in the District. It has brought to life social equity issues, points of access for minority business owners and a voting rights issue for residents in Washington, D.C.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
We are excited and hopeful for a legislation change in the District, specifically allowing for broader participation in the legal cannabis market. But watching the legislative pieces in the surrounding DMV is incredible. I think the cat is out of the bag on cannabis. Those days of perpetuating cannabis as something to fear are over and cannabis could continue to be an unbelievably beneficial commodity for cities, states and the people that live in them.

Learn more at www.pinkfox202.com and follow @fkapinkfox on Instagram.

THE RESET WELLNESS®️ GROUP
Tahmika Aldrich, Cofounder + CEO

Hemp-infused beverages. Photo courtesy of The Reset Wellness®️ Group.

Favorite strain of cannabis
Currently, I’m enjoying Peanut Butter Breath.

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
My preferred method is smoking. But when I can’t, our beverages do the trick.

Standout product
Our Ginger Honey Lemon beverage is our bestseller. It can be consumed hot or cold. 

Most unique aspect of your business
We offer unique customer experience with our in-home/virtual consultations and events. We are more than a CBD product company. We are building community resilience and well-being through cannabis. 

Future of cannabis in the DMV
I definitely see a regulated, adult-use cannabis program in D.C. in the near future. With this program, it is my hope that it be built on a framework of social equity. For example, reducing the barriers for entry into the industry and most importantly, investing the capital made from cannabis sales into education and opportunities for communities most affected by the criminalization of cannabis.

Learn more about The Reset Wellness® Group at www.theresetwellnessgroup.com and follow @resetwellness_dc on Instagram.

SPACYCLOUD
Tatiana (Tati) Kolina, Founder

Photo courtesy of sPACYcLOUd.

Favorite strain of CBD
I like all types: isolate, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. But for sPACYcLOUd products, we can only use isolate and broad-spectrum to comply with D.C. laws. 

Preferred method of enjoying CBD
I prefer ingestion (edibles) and topical (creams and balms).

Standout products
CBD-infused mangoes, herbal teas and dog treats.

Most unique aspect of your business
sPACYcLOUd is a woman-owned green company located in Adams Morgan, with a focus on building a community around alternative resources and sustainable practices. It is dedicated to [being] a hub for the community and providing healthy vegan/vegetarian options with a modern twist. sPACYcLOUd’s mission is to educate the community on alternative and healthy lifestyles through art, action sports, activism, music, social health and wellness.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
Hopefully, the Safe Cannabis Sales Act of 2021 will create an equitable adult-use cannabis program, bring safety and equity to the market, provide for automatic expungements of prior marijuana convictions, and support reinvestments in communities most impacted by prohibition.

Learn more at www.spacycloud.com and follow @spacycloud on Instagram.

STREET LAWYER SERVICES
Lonny Bramzon, Owner + Inspirational Leader

Street Lawyer Services’ Lonny Bramzon. Photo by Ben Frey.

Favorite strain of cannabis
Bacio Gelato, which is a part of our #QUADAAAAY family. At Street Lawyer Services, we refer to the strains in our next-level category as the #QUADAAAAY category. It’s not triple A — it’s above that. It’s the QUAD A. 

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
Cannabis is one of the few blessings I can enjoy in any environment.

Standout product
It is the love we spread throughout the D.C. community.

Most unique aspect of your business
This brand is based on quality, variety and consistency with style and love for the community. I do not really pay attention to other businesses, so I can’t comment on uniqueness. This is just how we flow.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
There [are] going to be more happy and relaxed people walking around the beautiful streets of the DMV. 

Visit www.streetlawyerservicesdc.com and follow @streetlawyerservices_dc on Instagram.

SUCRÉE SWEETS CO.
Shannon Rizvi, Cofounder

Strawberry Shortcake Cakesicles. Photo courtesy of Sucrée Sweets Co.

Favorite strain of cannabis
Strawberry cheesecake. 

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
I love smoking out of my bong. I prefer flower to concentrates or edibles when it comes to daily use. 

Standout product
Cakesicles, gummies and custom cannabis infused cakes. 

Most unique aspect of your business
We take pride in using the highest-quality ingredients in our edibles to create desserts and flavor combinations you’ve never seen with cannabis before.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
We only see things changing for the better. The cannabis prohibition will inevitably end, and small businesses will be able to flourish. Products will also be safer for consumers as they become more regulated.

Follow @sucreesweets.co on Instagram.

VERIHEAL
Joshua Green, Cofounder

Veriheal’s Joshua Green. Photo courtesy of subject.

Favorite strain of cannabis
Mimosa: It gives me a very light, cerebral energy and I love the taste.

Preferred method of enjoying cannabis
I prefer to roll a small joint for myself.

Standout product
I really like the cannabis-infused soft drink Keef. [It’s] super innovative, I love the brand and it’s an enjoyable way to consume.

Most unique aspect of your business
Our team is unparalleled. Finding talent in and of itself is a challenge. But building a company where the entire team will go to bat for your mission, day in and day out, and wear all the different hats a startup demands is one of our strongest assets. We went against the grain when we created Veriheal, and I do believe that investment into a very strong staff has allowed us to continually innovate and create new services, products, tools, etc. that will forever shape the medical cannabis industry.

Future of cannabis in the DMV
Although smaller in comparison, D.C. was our first market. We had much success in the District and it really helped us get our footing for what ultimately became a nationwide service. Maryland has had a particularly strong medical program — in my opinion, one of the best in the country. Virginia, on the other hand, has been slower to adapt. Now that Virginia is teasing recreational legalization, hopefully that accessibility opens up.

Learn more at www.veriheal.com and follow @veriheal on Instagram.

Q&A with nurseMARK
Mark Worster — a.k.a nurseMARK BSN-RN, MCST, AFA — is a registered nurse who specializes in using cannabis as a tool for pain management, mitigating stress, and increasing overall health and well-being. Worster is also part of the world’s only MS in Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program at the University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy, where he furthers his knowledge to share with those seeking the natural remedies that cannabis provides. We caught up with him to learn more about his experience and get his take on cannabis culture today.

District Fray: How did you become interested in using cannabis to assist others in living a healthy life?
Mark Worster: In late 2017, I became involved with an amazing entrepreneur out of Brooklyn, New York named Jenny Argie of Jenny’s Baked at Home and partnered with her through 2018. The more I dove into cannabis, the more I was convinced it was my calling.

Can you tell me more about the services you offer?
The Green Nurse is a community of healthcare providers that offer medical card certifications and consultations for anyone wanting to learn more about how to use cannabis as a health and wellness tool, as well as [to] incorporate other modalities that support a healthy endocannabinoid system. We help people live their best lives.

What’s the most common misconception about cannabis use and how do you combat that?
The most common misconception is that you need to be high to experience health benefits. Our job is to help people use this plant below the level of impairment and receive all the benefits the plant has to offer.

With legislation changing in the D.C. area and nationwide, what do you think the future of cannabis will be?
As legalization status changes, we’ll see a standardization of regulations across the board, which will result in more accurately tested and labeled products in the marketplace.

To learn more about nurseMARK and the programs and services he offers, visit www.nursemark.co or email [email protected]. 

Don’t miss our virtual Cannabis City panel presented by District Fray and BĀkT DC on Thursday, April 29 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register here.

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