New York’s cannabis industry paused to celebrate culture, ownership, and community as The Daily Green hosted a Black History Month cannabis showcase bringing together Black-owned brands, creatives, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of legalization.
Held February 26 at the dispensary’s Times Square location, the event transformed the retail space into a gathering point where commerce and culture met in real time. Consumers connected directly with founders, learned brand stories, and experienced firsthand the people driving equity forward in New York cannabis.
More than a meet-and-greet, the showcase served as a reminder that legalization is still evolving — and visibility remains one of the most powerful tools for emerging operators.
Creating Space For Culture And Commerce
The showcase was curated to highlight the creative and entrepreneurial energy powering New York’s cannabis ecosystem. According to Kayla-Jasmine, MBA, Junior Design Director and Visual Merchandiser at The Daily Green, the event was intentionally designed to center community.
“At the heart of New York City’s cannabis industry are black and brown creatives, makers, operators, and entrepreneurs like myself who want to move the culture forward,” she explained. “Celebrating Black History Month at The Daily Green with a cannabis showcase means creating space for creativity, community, and commerce to coexist.”
She emphasized that the goal extended beyond a single evening.
“With the support of The Daily Green team, I was able to bring these brands together, ensuring visibility, access, and that opportunities are shared. This showcase wasn’t just an event. It was a moment to gather and honor the wonderful people sustaining this industry.”
Brands Leading With Purpose
Featured brands included ProXtracts, Foy, Silly Nice, and Happy Hounds — each representing a different lane within cannabis while sharing a commitment to community impact.
For Happy Hounds founder Rianna Young, the moment reflected both progress and responsibility within the industry.
“At Happy Hounds, we believe wellness should be inclusive, accessible, and grounded in community — for people and their pets,” she shared. “As a Black-woman-owned company on a mission to help pets thrive, we are carving our own lane. This only works with partners like The Daily Green who highlight our vision.”
She noted that meaningful support goes beyond celebration.
“These moments aren’t about making noise — they’re about showing up, building community, and creating space where Black entrepreneurs are genuinely seen and supported.”
Foy representatives echoed a similar sentiment, framing the event as part of a larger cultural legacy.
“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the resilience, faith, and unity that have carried our communities forward for generations,” shared brand ambassadors Moose and Yon through representative Brittney Phoebe. “Our hope is to contribute to a culture of fellowship, wellness, and opportunity where people feel supported and uplifted.”
Honoring Roots While Building The Future
For ProXtracts, the gathering reinforced the human connections that define cannabis culture.
“For me and ProXtracts, Black History Month is about honoring this plant’s roots while building a future where our community truly thrives,” the brand shared. “My favorite part of this industry is the human connection — meeting new faces and catching up with old friends. Celebrating means ensuring we’re all winning and growing together.”
Silly Nice highlighted the broader structural importance of representation within New York’s market.
“Black representation in the New York cannabis market is not optional. It is foundational,” stated CEO Lavar Walker. “Real equity means ownership, leadership, and long-term opportunity for the people most impacted by prohibition.”
Soundtrack Of Community
Music helped anchor the evening’s energy, with DJ Not4Nathan providing the soundtrack for the celebration while amplifying the event’s purpose.
“Black History Month represents an opportunity to bring extra attention to so many great Black-owned brands and initiatives doing amazing work year-round,” he shared.
Food from Lagos TSQ Restaurant & Cocktail Bar and a steady flow of attendees kept the atmosphere lively, reinforcing how cannabis spaces increasingly function as cultural hubs rather than traditional retail environments.
Impact Beyond The Event
The celebration also carried a philanthropic component. The Daily Green committed to rounding up internal sales throughout Q1 2026 to benefit the Last Prisoner Project, supporting efforts tied to cannabis criminal justice reform. Customers were not asked to donate directly, underscoring the company’s decision to align business growth with restorative action.
As New York’s cannabis industry continues to mature, events like this signal a shift toward community-centered retail experiences — spaces where storytelling, ownership, and culture are as important as the products themselves.
The Daily Green’s Black History Month showcase proved that when visibility meets intention, cannabis becomes more than an industry. It becomes a platform for connection, opportunity, and collective progress.
