As a cannabis company, we can’t celebrate Black History without acknowledging the deep ties it has to cannabis and the sacrifices made to bring the industry to the high it has found now. As cannabis continues to become legalized state by state across the U.S.A., we try to remember that it was initially made illegal to perpetuate a racist narrative. Cannabis has come a long way since the 60s and 70s but still has quite a ways to go regarding equity and representation. With as many cannabis companies exist today between edibles, flower, extracts, etc., only a tiny percentage of them are owned by black people. Even worse, with as much money cannabis makes each year, there are still humans in prison for cannabis; a considerable percentage of those humans being black Americans. Our commitment as a player in this industry is to support and amplify the voices that make a difference for those who need it, many of those voices being the founders and owners of black-owned brands across California.

We’re celebrating Black History Month by drawing attention to Black-Owned brands, amplifying their voices, and putting their causes center stage. We sat down with the founders of five Black-Owned brands carried at Airfield to get to know them better. We learned more about their personal & professional lives, their companies, and their favorite products from their respective lines. We can’t wait for you to see what they had to say!

Terryn Buxton: Co-Founder of Oakland Extracts

Oakland Extracts was created by two friends who focused on providing top-shelf quality at an everyday price. Terryn Buxton and Aaron Tran met while working at a dispensary in 2009 and saw a market flooded with high-priced concentrates leaving something to be desired when searching for a budget-friendly extract. Learning to make hash on their own, they realized that you didn’t have to have high prices to have excellent quality concentrates. Terryn, a former cultivator, and Tran, a former chef, knew that working with small legacy farms was the way to source great products at an affordable price. Oakland Extracts is committed to supporting small, legacy farms, creating affordable products, and representing their community right.

What’s your favorite concentrate on the Oakland Extracts menu right now?

“I’m really liking the Super Lemon Haze live resin in carts and jars right now. The lemon terps come through really strong; it’s one of the tastiest products we have made to date!”

Is Oakland Extracts currently working on any social equity programs?

“Oakland Extracts is working with the Equity Trade Network, a group of equity brands committed to working together to help each other succeed. We also support veteran causes, partnering with organizations like Weed for Warriors and Operation E.V.A.C. to bring quality cannabis meds and services to veterans across California.”

Guy Rocourt: Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Papa & Barkley

Having started in the design and manufacturing of infused products in multiple states, Guy is a seasoned expert in the cannabis industry and has been essential at Papa & Barkley in leading product innovation, optimizing production, ensuring the company complies with rigorous testing and lab standards, and developing the product roadmap as the company expands into different areas of the cannabis marketplace. He has led Papa & Barkley into the concentrates market with Papa’s Select brand and most recently into the edibles category with the launch of P&B Kitchen in 2022. He also has experience caring for patients with cannabis, as he spent many years as Montel Williams’ caregiver during his battle with M.S.

Having started in the design and manufacturing of infused products in multiple states, Guy is a seasoned expert in the cannabis industry and has been essential at Papa & Barkley in leading product innovation, optimizing production, ensuring the company complies with rigorous testing and lab standards, and developing the product roadmap as the company expands into different areas of the cannabis marketplace. He has led Papa & Barkley into the concentrates market with Papa’s Select brand and most recently into the edibles category with the launch of P&B Kitchen in 2022. He also has experience caring for patients with cannabis, as he spent many years as Montel Williams’ caregiver during his battle with M.S.

Guy graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is a U.S. Navy veteran. He uses his keen understanding of the cannabis plant, cannabis culture, and business acumen to craft various wellness products. Like Papa & Barkley, he is on a mission to unlock the power of the plant to improve people’s lives.

What’s your favorite product from Papa & Barkley’s family?

“While it’s hard to choose from our Papa & Barkley family, one of my current favorites is our Sleep Releaf Gummies. In the creation of this product, we challenged ourselves with finding the best ratio of CBD: T.H.C.:CBN to truly help improve sleep quality. We spent months testing out different formulations before aligning on a 2:4:1 ratio, which we found to be the most efficacious. We even tested the results in at at-home use test with over 90 customers, who found that on average they fell asleep 20 minutes faster each night, slept 1 hour longer, and woke up without grogginess after using our sleep products. I’ve heard from so many friends and family members how the product has improved their quality of life, and this was reaffirmed when the Sleep Gummies won 1st place in the 2022 Emerald Cup Awards, for best alternative cannabinoid (CBN) edible.”

Is Papa & Barkley currently working on any social equity programs?

“Papa & Barkley was founded with the mission to unlock the power of cannabis to improve people’s lives. To continue this mission, we launched the Papa & Barkley Releaf For All initiative. Through this program, Papa & Barkley donates products that otherwise would have gone to waste to those who cannot afford or easily access cannabis. As the #1 cannabis wellness brand in California, we know our products can be invaluable to those who need pain and mental health relief.

We launched Releaf For All on Giving Tuesday 2022 with our first donation to the Weed for Warriors Project, which supports cannabis education and donations to veterans in need. We donated over 13,000 P&B products last year, and that’s just the beginning. With the continuing partnership of S.C. Labs, who donate their cannabis testing services for free, we will be donating thousands of products on an ongoing basis.

At Papa & Barkley, we have a responsibility to rectify past injustices to create a better and more equitable future. Releaf For All is a step on this journey to empower voices that are often marginalized and spread the life-changing power of the cannabis plant to all.”

Ricky Williams: Founder of Highsman

Ricky Williams has devoted his personal life and professional career to inspiring greatness in himself, his teammates, and those around him. Williams founded Highsman in 2021 to empower professional and everyday athletes and sports enthusiasts through cannabis. He brings a deep knowledge of herbs, sports, and wellness to the brand. His belief in the healing properties of cannabis is intertwined with a distinguished football career, and he credits smoking herb as a way of coping with the challenges associated with being a professional athlete, from social anxiety to physical injuries.

His widely acclaimed football career began at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was named a two-time All-American. Shortly after, he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints and continued an illustrious football career, known as one of the most electric running backs of the century. Most notably, he played with the Miami Dolphins for seven seasons. 

He faced two suspensions during his tenure due to the NFL’s strict cannabis policy. He finished his career with over 10,000 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns and retired in 2011 after playing his final season with the Baltimore Ravens. Williams was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015. No longer burdened by the NFL’s marijuana policy after retirement, Williams began his professional journey into herb and wellness. 

In 2018 he co-founded Real Wellness, an alternative health brand, after studying Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. This, along with his personal exploration of cannabis, paved the way for the launch of Highsman. Highsman is the culmination of years of education and exploration. Williams studied the origins of cannabis in the foothills of the Himalayas and spent years learning about the plant’s healing properties. He created the Highsman brand to help all people inspire greatness in themselves.

What’s your favorite Highsman strain right now?

“The Highsman Halftime strain, Horchata Posada, is my current go-to from the starting lineup. I try to think about cannabis the same way I do about food– I eat what I think tastes and/or smells good. For smell, I definitely pick up the notes of Horchata from the strain, but it’s the sweet fruity flavor with hints of tart that puts this one at the top of my rotation.”

Is Highsman working on any social equity programs right now?

Highsman is continuously working to advance awareness and education about social equity issues relating to cannabis and sports via community outreach and Ricky’s efforts as an advocate for reform in the cannabis industry and society as a whole.

Alphonzo “Tucky” Blunt Jr.: Founder of Simply Green & Blunts & Moore

A child of Yahweh, proud husband, father, hard worker, hustla, Alphonso (Tucky) Blunt Jr. is a true testament to walking your path. Owner of ATBJr Consulting, Proud Papas Clothing/Auto Detail, and Blunts + Moore, Tucky is a 5th generation Oakland native who opened the 1st equity-owned cannabis retail facility and consumption lounge.

While growing up in Oakland, California, during the war on drugs era, he managed to stay out of trouble and maintain a 4.0 GPA and a full-time job while in high school. He was also using and selling cannabis. In 1999 while on an errand with his grandmother, she had him go to a dispensary. From that day forward, his mission was to sell cannabis legally in a dispensary of his own. 

He worked for several Bay Area dispensaries between 1999-2004 and in 2003, he made his first attempt at dispensary ownership; he was told that a black man would never be an owner in this industry. 

In 2005 he was arrested for possession with the intent to sell, and given ten years of felony probation with a four-way search clause. Still determined to learn more on the legal side, he attended and graduated from Oaksterdam University in 2008. In a true twist of fate, had he not been arrested in 2005, he would not have qualified for the Equity program in 2018.

Since the Blunts & Moore opening in 2018, he has continued to work within the space and be an advocate, public speaker, consultant, professor, content creator, and brand ambassador for clients/companies both in and out of the cannabis space. Hoping to use his voice and knowledge to help others, he continues to network globally.

Marshawn Lynch: Founder of Dodi Blunts

Marshawn Lynch is a Former NFL running back and Superbowl Champion for the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders. He is the current owner of Arena Football Team Bay Area Panthers and Co-Owner of NHL team Seattle Kraken, an Oakland Native and community activist, and founder of the Family 1st Foundation Non-profit. Marshawn founded Dodi in 2021 once he had finally retired from his football career. Dodi is built as a family business with a main goal to create a positive impact on the communities that mirror Marshawn’s hometown, Oakland. Dodi exists to fight back against the War on Drugs and support those who have been negatively affected. Dodi aims to provide cannabis at a value that works for the people living in the communities they claim to serve.

What’s your favorite Dodi Blunt currently?

“Ricky Sticky because it’s Beastmode! It’s the most potent strain available from Dodi right now, and I like the strong stuff.”

Is Dodi working on any social equity programs right now?

Dodi currently works with the Last Prisoner Project to continue to free people who have been put in prison for cannabis; a portion of all proceeds go to this non-profit in the hopes that Dodi can work together with LPP to raise money, build awareness, and drive significant, lasting change. They told us, “we have another huge announcment in this category coming this Spring! Top secret for now, but stay tuned for more from Dodi very soon!”