As the legal cannabis industry continues to professionalize, consolidate, and expand globally, a critical question still lingers: who built the foundation that made this market possible—and what did it cost them?
In recognition of Black History Month, Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM) has released its inaugural Power 100, a list honoring 100 Black leaders whose work helped shape cannabis culture, policy reform, and community access long before legalization became mainstream.
Recognizing Impact Beyond Mainstream Legalization
The Power 100 highlights individuals whose contributions span advocacy, policy development, entrepreneurship, research, and grassroots organizing. These leaders played a material role in shaping the modern cannabis landscape, often at a time when there was little recognition, no financial incentive, and significant personal risk.
Released in conjunction with M4MM’s 10-year anniversary, the Power 100 is intentionally positioned not as a traditional awards program, but as a historical record. Its purpose is to document contributions that predate corporate cannabis narratives and venture-backed success stories, ensuring that early leadership is not erased as the industry matures.
A Historical Record, Not an Optics Play
“This list is about impact, not optics,” said Roz McCarthy, Founder and CEO of Minorities for Medical Marijuana. “It documents who showed up early, stayed when it was difficult, and carried the weight of advocacy when there was no economic upside.”
That distinction is central to the Power 100’s mission. Rather than focusing on visibility or current market dominance, the list centers on longevity, sacrifice, and measurable influence—qualities often overlooked as cannabis becomes more commercialized.
Why the Power 100 Matters
Long before cannabis legalization entered the mainstream conversation, Black communities were disproportionately harmed by prohibition, facing higher rates of arrest, incarceration, and long-term economic exclusion. Even as legalization has expanded access and investment opportunities, many of the individuals who fought for reform have been left out of ownership, leadership, and historical recognition.
The Power 100 exists to address that imbalance. By formally documenting Black leadership in cannabis reform and culture, M4MM aims to ensure that the industry’s origins are not rewritten or sanitized as profits increase and public perception shifts.
Preserving Legacy as the Industry Evolves
As cannabis continues to evolve into a global marketplace, initiatives like the Power 100 serve as an important reminder that equity is not just about future access—it’s also about honoring the past. Recognizing those who laid the groundwork creates space for more honest conversations about inclusion, reparative justice, and sustainable community investment.
Through the Power 100, M4MM reinforces the idea that cannabis history is inseparable from Black leadership—and that preserving that legacy is essential to building a more equitable industry moving forward.
Rather than focusing on annual performance metrics or revenue milestones, the list evaluates long-term influence.
The M4MM Power 100
The List of Honorees includes:
Fab 5 Freddy
Al Harrington
Ricky Williams
Eugene Monroe
Brandon Wyatt ESQ
Belecia Royster
Cherron Perry Thomas
Chef Stacey Dugan
Michael “Coach” Harris
Hope Wiseman
Dr Octavia Wiseman DMD
Nadir Pearson
Tauhid Chappell
Cat Packer
Dasheeda Dawson
Leo Bridgewater
Gillie Da Kid
Gibran Washington
Gia Moron
Chelsea Wise Higgs
Martin Mitchell
Wanda James
Dr Roz McCarthy
Hazey Taughtme
Naomi Granger
Edie Moore
Jasmine Jackson
Whitney Beatty
Amber Senter
Virgil Grant
Antione Mordican
Scheril Murray Powell ESQ
Dr Terel Newton MD
Dr Rashan Hodges MD
Ruben Lindo
Christina Johnson
Jesse Horton
Linda Green
Alphonso Tucky Blunt
Corvain Cooper
Method Man
Snoop Dog
Ernest Toney
Tahir Johnson
Suzanne Nichols
Kristal Bush
Mike Tyson
Cassandra Frederique
Dr Chanda Macias
Arianna Kirkpatrick
Mehka King
Cimone Casson
Thunder Walker
Shanita Penny
Rodney “Hurricane” Carter
Toi Hutchinson
TaShonda Vincent Lee
Kevin Ford
Amber Littlejohn
Courtney Davis
Khadijah Tribble
Caroline Phillips
The Dank Duchess
Todd Hughes
Jason Marshall
Nicole Buffong
Shanetha Lewis
Erik Range
Eric Foster
Sirita Wright
Shanel Lindsey
Danielle Drummond
Jay Jackson
Nichelle Santos
Dr Lisa Pickney
Dr Bridgett Cole Williams MD
Dr Kelly King MD
Fredericka Easley
Mary Pryor
Aiesha Goins
Kristi Price
Sheena Roberson
Chris Jackson
Whiz Kalifa
Dr. Jean Talleyrand
Drs. Janice, Rachel & Jessica Knox MD
Rico Lamitte
Guy Rocourt
Lizzy Jeff
Chef Zarilla Bacon
Redman
Kebra Smith Bolden
Otha Smith
Sephida Artis- Mills
JR Fleming
Dr Herve Damas MD
Derrell Black
Devin Alexander
Brendan Robinson
Jay Mills
