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First Black-Owned Cannabis Brand In Missouri Comes To Dispensaries

By Steve Kraske,

Published July 21, 2021 at 3:29 PM CDT

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Franklin's Stash House partnered with Greenlight Dispensaries, a company with dispensaries across Missouri

After Missouri legalized medical marijuana in 2018 the industry has remained majority white, but one cannabis brand is changing that.

Many dispensaries in Missouri will soon carry the first Black-owned cannabis brand in the state. Franklin's Stash House, started by Michael Wilson and Ronald Rice, is confronting the issue of diversity in the marijuana industry.

"It's a conversation that's being put in front of us that needs to be addressed," Michael Wilson says.

Michael Wilson, co-founder, Franklin's Stash House
Ronald Rice, co-founder, Franklin's Stash House

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Reginald David

As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.

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Trevor Grandin

Trevor Grandin is a contributing producer for KCUR Studios.

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