Back in February of this year, Re-build was one of the Sponsors for the Las Vegas (NV) NORML Black History Month Panel Discussion at Eclipse Theater ( a black owned movie theater in Las Vegas). Amongst the panelists for "Appreciating Diversity in Cannabis" was Chief of Operations and Co- owner of MMJ America, Mr. Marques Moore. Before the panel discussion began, I noticed the MMJ America apparel with the slogan, "Your favorite drug dealer, favorite drug dealer". This, along with the fact that he's from the South, Atlanta to be specific, intrigued my interest. I requested an interview with Mr. Moore in May. A "Sit down" with Mr. Marques Moore discusses his experiences in the Cannabis Industry as an African American man from the South who has relocated to the West Coast. Besides being in the "dope" industry, he also dabbles in hip hop as well. Check him out on Instagram @mr_marquesmoore and also the Las Vegas MMJ America page @mmjamerica.lv. I present to you the interview with the COO of MMJ America.
How did you get started in the cannabis industry?
Introduced to the cannabis industry in 2010 through attending the Kush Con Conference in Denver, CO, a mind blown Marques decided he wanted to gain entrance into the legal industry. Kush Con was a smaller version of the present day, MJBiz Con, that peeked his interest. He had just gotten out of the Army, where he served as an Aviation Officer and pondered entering into graduate school. "My business partner and friend asked me to join the company based on my skills in the Army. I flew Apaches." Instead of entering into graduate school, he took all of his money and invested into an existing cannabis business. "Through my operations and leadership skills, I've written policies and procedures and used the experience from the military to provide structure, establish rules and regulations while learning as we go."
"A cool opportunity selling weed for a living" has been lucrative for 36 year old Marques Moore, who has been in the Industry for 7 years. "I didn't know it would expand like it has." Colorado was all medical when he started. His cannabis venture was all self funded because you couldn't get any outside money. Some companies that were around when he started no longer exist. "Back then there was Wanda and her husband (people of color) who had a store and one other business."
Experiences in Colorado
"Their experience with African Americans is very limited." Some friends from military base, Fort Rucker in Alabama, decided to take a ski trip to Aspen. In Aspen, he encountered a lady who was overly expressive of her excitement that Barack Obama became President when in his presence. It was an experience that's not common in Colorado. Assumed that he was an athlete at the time, he wanted to show people that "Here I am, a successful African American professional that's not an athlete in an emerging industry."
MMJ America
One of the first dispensary to be in multi states in 2014, MMJ America didn't open until 2017. "There was no rush to open up at the time when it was only medical. It opened later than expected due to construction but it happened right on time." There are 4 MMJ America dispensaries. Three are located in Denver and Boulder, Colorado with a fourth one in Las Vegas, NV.
Struggles?
"Changes in regulations and capital" are two of the most common struggles. All funding comes from private money. Partnerships are tough. its like a relationship and can be harder than a marriage. "You're depending on another person for your livelihood."
People of color in the cannabis industry
When asked, "Do you feel like there should be a provision for people of color in the industry?" His reply was "It will be hard because of the need for capital. All money aint good money, you may take private money and lose control of your business just because you have the license, you must have the capital to build." "The culture of cannabis is misunderstood, black people have been selling weed for decades illegally."
"Know your role and play it well so that they can't discredit what you're doing."
Advice
"If you going to do, do it. You can't tippy toe." His parents supported the decision but didn't see the vision. His father wanted him to stay in the Army. "People are scared to take risks, can't wait until it's popular and the risk is low. Low risk, low reward, high risk, high reward."
States realize this is a money play and are limiting the number of licenses. The best thing to do is become apart of the process, sit in committee meetings and connect with the policy and regulation makers.
BONUS: Marques believes that it is important to have more representation from minorities and wants to create his own version of Shark Tank for those who have a great cannabis concept but not the capital.
Little known fact: "It's decriminalized in Atlanta."
Thank you Marques Moore for the opportunity!
Visit MMJ America - Las Vegas 4660 S. Decatur Blvd and MMJ America in Downtown Denver & Boulder, CO!
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