Conscious Consumption — A Community Cannabis Guide to Oakland

There’s no shortage of cannabis dispensaries in Oakland — in fact, it can be difficult to choose one because there are so many great options. However, the fast-growing industry is heavily dominated by white men with the capital and resources to start businesses. These Oakland-based cannabis dispensaries focus on equity —  ensuring that Black and Brown communities, who were disproportionately incarcerated for selling weed before it was legal, can also get in on the profits. Female cannabis providers are also trying to challenge the male domination of the industry, and we’re starting to see Asian-owned dispensaries pop up in Oakland.

Blunts+Moore, located in east Oakland near the Coliseum, is one of the few Black-owned, brick-and-mortar cannabis dispensaries in Oakland. Co-owner Alphonso Blunt was able to take advantage of Oakland’s equity program, where members of Black and Brown communities who were disproportionately locked up for selling weed before legalization are given the opportunity to transition to a legal cannabis business.

Eco Cannabis is a community-oriented company that both grows and sells weed that is grown indoors right in Oakland. The company only hires Oakland residents, 50% of whom are formerly incarcerated to counteract the harm of the War on Drugs.

Opened in 2006, Purple Heart was the first Black-owned cannabis dispensary in the country! It’s also Oakland’s longest operating medical dispensary. Although the dispensary was burglarized and vandalized during the pandemic, Purple Heart’s owner is planning to reopen its storefront.

Blüm, founded by female entrepreneur Salwa Ibrahim, is one of the most popular cannabis dispensaries in Oakland. It sells a large array of products and the staff are known to be particularly knowledgeable for novice cannabis consumers.

Nug, a new addition to the dispensary scene, is one of the very few Asian-owned cannabis businesses in Oakland. With several other California locations, Nug also produces its own cannabis products, from “seed to sale.”