The cannabis industry owes a lot to the LGBTQIA+ community. The community is constantly fighting not only to be seen for real, but also to fight an uphill battle for the cannabis plant to be seen.

Notable LGBTQIA+ cannabis advocates have emerged as the streets are filled with gay liberation protests, anti-war movements and the fight for racial equality.

During the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and early 1990s, gay activists liked Denis Peron and Kuromiya Kiyoshi Recognize the therapeutic properties of cannabis and what it can do to help treat suffering patients. LGBTQIA+ activists are way ahead of their time and see the potential of our factories to benefit from now.

Let’s take a look at some of the influential modern LGBTQIA+ pioneers who have made a name for themselves in the cannabis industry and are creating a more prosperous environment for others.

JJ McKay: Founder and Publisher fresh toast

JJ McKay is fresh toastone of the largest consumer-facing cannabis media companies in North America.

Delivering prestigious medical marijuana news through a partnership with Skipta, fresh toast Attracts 1.7 million healthcare professionals each month.

Their dependable reputation earned them press credentials during the 2020 presidential election.

McKay was quick to notice the blunt, male-dominated demeanor of the cannabis industry.

“I think there’s more work to be done,” McKay said. “When you go to a meeting, 80 percent of the industry is still white, heterosexual men of all ages and backgrounds.”

That being said, McKay has noticed the industry developing in other ways.

“When we launched at the end of 2016, 50% of the sessions were going to be classic growers that you’re moving towards legalization — the ones that are fighting [for their] Dreaming and fighting men,” he said.

“Then it evolved into what more people thought it was a legitimate industry and a way to establish yourself in a very lucrative industry.

“I usually host meetings or something like that – we’re very loud and a million people see our content every day, so people are nice. But, it’s definitely a coterie, old boy thing .

“I think the easier path is to get more women involved in the industry, because that brings a certain level of tolerance and also a certain level of inclusivity,” McKay said.

Brie Brewer: Founder of Proud Mary

The Proud Mary Network was created to support queer voices within the cannabis industry through cannabis education, networking events and advocacy efforts by LGBTQIA+ writers.

Brewer, who founded the group in 2019, said the idea arose when he noticed a lack of queer representation at MJBizCon events.

“I can’t tell you how disappointing it is to see all these conventions and all these keynote speakers, and the lack of representation, especially for trans people,” Brewer said.

“I want to change that. I want all of us to be in the limelight. I want everyone to have the opportunity to speak their truth, to speak their voice, and to have a platform to do so.”

While Brewer is the mastermind behind Proud Mary, she has strong support from insiders. Proud Mary is closely related to popular drag queens Ducky and Patsy.

The network has partnered with Johann Balbuena, LGBTQIA+ filmmaker and founder of cannabis consultancy Synergy. Brewer plans to turn Proud Mary into a nonprofit in the future and create a job board to screen queer-friendly companies.

“People contact me specifically to tell me how important this is and how much impact I’m having. You don’t know, unless people check in, right? It’s really heartwarming, it feels like I’m doing a good thing,” Blu Er said.

Danielle Gray and Brande Elise: Founders of Unoia

With a passion to inspire and educate people about mental health awareness and CBD wellness products, entrepreneurs Danielle Gray and Brande Elise founded Unoia, their Atlanta-based CBD lifestyle and products company.

The couple started out just selling CBD honey, but they have since expanded into selling CBD agave, fruit gummies, CBD topicals, CBD peanut butter pet treats and CBD pet tinctures.

There are many aspects within companies that reflect their own lives.

Both Gray and Elise were former college athletes, so they knew firsthand how tinctures can relieve body aches.

Their CBD oil drops are also flavored with Georgia Peach to reflect the state they live in.

Gray emphasizes the importance of representation for them to be an honest brand.

“We represent a black voice, a woman’s voice, a strange voice, and a voice from the South, which is also a very different voice, from a place that is very conservative and anti-marijuana and all that stuff,” Gray said.

“That’s interesting in itself. We have a lot of interesting views on cannabis.”

Gray and Elise value transparency within the company and in their own lives.

When viewing their website, customers can view an organized and detailed display of the Certificates of Analysis for each product they offer.

“That [transparency] It’s a big deal for us for a few reasons. One is existence — that’s our experience, not necessarily LGBT, it could be — but just being black people don’t always think you have everything. So with this, you have to make sure it’s just super together,” Gray said.

“We want to make sure that we provide services to the people we support and buy from us so they know exactly what everything looks like, where everything comes from, you’ll be safe, you’ll be fine. You’re fine in Unoia’s world.”

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of Cannabis & Tech Today.Read the full question here.

_{header image courtesy Danielle Gray and Brand Elise.}