Legal Greens opened its doors in more than one way. The store launched in Brockton recently. It is also the launch of the first black, female-owned recreational cannabis enterprise on the East Coast. Proprietor Vanessa Jean-Baptiste, a first-generation Haitian-American and Brockton native.
© Alyssa Stone – USA TODAY NETWORK
© Alyssa Stone – USA TODAY NETWORK
She co-owns Legal Greens with Mark Bouquet, another first-gen Haitian-American.
Jean-Baptiste says, “We fought really hard to get to where we’re at and it’s amazing to have the title with it. The fact that we’re looking like we’re going to be the first fully recreational company in Brockton to open is huge within itself because we were looked at as the underdog and people didn’t think we were going to get this far.”
It Ain’t Easy
© Alyssa Stone – USA TODAY NETWORK
Jean-Baptiste put a lot of work into getting a community agreement in Brockton. That was a major step in getting her license. She eventually received priority status as an economic empowerment applicant with the Cannabis Control Commission.
Yet, Massachusett’s programs advocating social equity and economic empowerment weren’t working. Though created to benefit the disproportionate entrepreneurs and communities harmed by marijuana prohibition, a majority of the state’s owners are white.
Jean-Baptiste hopes to see legislation that better manages host community negotiations. She believes there should be measuring criteria municipalities use to determine which businesses receive HCAs.
“With more small businesses opening up, we’ll be able to show municipalities that small businesses matter as well as big corporate businesses,” Jean-Baptiste said.
Serving the Community
Customers can turn to Legal Greens for a half-dozen strains of flower, edibles, pre-rolls, and concentrates. The store rests in Brockton’s downtown Revocation District. In the past, the location was previously owned by Fred Fontaine, a well-known Haitian activist.
The new store has 15 employees, mostly locals. Many are, as planned, black women. The owners want to ensure Legal Greens has a positive impact on the community.
“It’s really needed in Brockton. Us giving” [the community] “tax money, and having other dispensaries giving tax money, will definitely benefit the city in the long run.”
Jean-Baptiste hopes to see revenue from the industry influence the hiring of police officers, teachers, and firefighters.
Legal Greens is planning to sponsor workshops on how to start a business and get a foothold in the weed industry. Besides Legal Greens, she wants to start a cannabis delivery as well as a second dispensary in Boston. In time, she hopes to take her stores as far as the West Coast.
Cutting the Red Tape
Bryce Hall was one of the first customers when the store opened. “We trying to come out here and support local businesses,” he said. “I’m from Brockton, it means a lot this is part of our community now.”
The dream has taken three years to come to fruition, but Jean-Baptiste hopes to inspire others. They are here to support local businesses. I’m from Brockton, it means a lot this is part of our community now.”
