Cleveland will welcome a new Black-owned cannabis dispensary on St. Patrick’s Day, adding another milestone to Ohio’s evolving cannabis market. Mavuno, founded by sisters Ariane Kirkpatrick and Amonica Davis, will open its new location on Tuesday, March 17 at 5808 Detroit Avenue.
The timing is symbolic. The opening arrives during Women’s History Month, highlighting the role of women entrepreneurs in a cannabis industry where ownership opportunities remain uneven.
For the Cleveland-born founders, the expansion represents a return home.
Mavuno already operates a dispensary in Athens, Ohio, but leadership says opening in Cleveland carries deeper meaning.
“We already have a dispensary in Athens,” Davis said in a television interview. “But coming home and opening a business in Cleveland is special.”
From Harvest of Ohio to Mavuno
The company traces its roots to Harvest of Ohio, the vertically integrated cannabis business founded by Kirkpatrick.
When it received its state license in 2017, Harvest of Ohio became the first Black woman-owned vertically integrated cannabis company in Ohio.
That status made the company a rare example of Black ownership in a tightly regulated market.
However, the journey was not smooth.
The company became involved in a high-profile lawsuit with multi-state cannabis operator Trulieve involving partnership agreements and financing tied to Ohio cannabis licenses.
The dispute centered on roughly $24 million connected to licensing and operational agreements.
The case eventually ended in a settlement that allowed Trulieve to obtain two dispensaries. Kirkpatrick retained the Athens operation, which later became the foundation for Mavuno’s brand relaunch.
Now the company is expanding again.
A St. Patrick’s Day Opening in Cleveland
The new Detroit Avenue location will officially open on St. Patrick’s Day next Tuesday, a date when Cleveland’s West Side traditionally sees large crowds celebrating the holiday.
That positioning could create strong early visibility for the business.
Detroit Avenue sits in a busy corridor filled with restaurants, nightlife, and neighborhood retail.
For Mavuno, the opening places the brand directly in one of Cleveland’s most active commercial areas.
Industry Tensions in Ohio
The launch also arrives during a moment of tension in Ohio’s cannabis industry.
The Ohio Attorney General has filed an antitrust lawsuit targeting several cannabis multi-state operators, alleging anti-competitive practices that could limit market competition.
The case reflects a broader debate across the U.S. cannabis industry.
Large MSOs often control access to capital and licenses, while smaller operators fight to maintain market space.
Stories like Mavuno’s highlight that challenge.
Independent and minority-owned companies often must navigate both regulatory barriers and competition from heavily financed national brands.
Why This Matters for the Cannabis Industry
The Cleveland opening reflects a larger trend shaping cannabis markets nationwide.
Ownership diversity remains limited. Yet entrepreneurs like Kirkpatrick and Davis continue building companies despite structural challenges.
The moment is especially relevant during Women’s History Month, when conversations about women leadership and equity take center stage.
Ohio’s cannabis market is also preparing for future growth as adult-use sales expand.
If demand increases, cities like Cleveland could become major cannabis retail hubs.
For Mavuno’s founders, however, the milestone is simpler.
After navigating lawsuits, partnerships, and industry politics, the company is opening a dispensary in the city where their story began.
And it’s doing it on one of Cleveland’s biggest celebration days.
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