In the thriving city of Athens, a remarkable story of resilience and triumph unfolds. Ariane Kirkpatrick, alongside her sister Amonica Davis, has made history with their dispensary, Mavuno, becoming the first Black women-owned cannabis dispensary. This journey, filled with obstacles and breakthroughs, is a testament to their unwavering determination and vision.
Breaking into the Cannabis Industry
Seven years ago, Ariane Kirkpatrick ventured into the cannabis industry, a field with limited female representation, particularly among women of color. “We made the decision that we, despite the barriers, despite the obstacles, despite being Black and female, we were going to make this work, and we did,” Kirkpatrick proudly states. The path was fraught with challenges. A significant hurdle arose when Harvest Health and Recreation, initially Kirkpatrick’s partners, were acquired by Trulieve, the largest cannabis company in the United States. Kirkpatrick found herself excluded from the partnership, sparking a fierce battle to retain her business.
Turning Adversity into Family Success
Refusing to back down, Kirkpatrick transformed her company into a family-run enterprise, appointing her sister Amonica Davis as CEO. This strategic move not only preserved the business but also strengthened their resolve to succeed against all odds. “So we started going to mediation and came up with a chateau agreement. That was great for both of us. So now we’re happily divorced,” Kirkpatrick recounts, highlighting their resolve to find a solution. Their perseverance paid off. Despite the dissolution of their original partnership, Kirkpatrick and Davis retained ownership of their cannabis dispensary in Athens, rebranding it as Mavuno. “In Swahili, Mavuno means harvest, yield, and to provide. It matches who we are as a company and who we are as a family-owned and operated business,” explains Davis.
Expanding Horizons
The sisters’ journey took a significant turn when Harvest of OH and Trulieve Cannabis Corp reached an agreement, resolving active litigation between the companies. This settlement allowed each party to continue growing in the evolving Ohio market, with adult-use cannabis on the horizon. As part of the agreement, Trulieve acquired Harvest of Ohio, LLC, which holds licenses for medical cannabis dispensaries in Columbus and Beavercreek. Meanwhile, the Harvest of OH medical dispensary in Athens was transferred to Ariane Kirkpatrick, making her the 100% owner and leading to its rebranding as Mavuno. “Our dedication and commitment will continue to be the hallmark of Mavuno in Athens and beyond, as we enter the Ohio adult-use cannabis market,” Kirkpatrick affirms.
The Legacy of Harvest of OH
Harvest of OH was the result of a unique partnership that Kirkpatrick, as the 51% majority owner, formed with Harvest Health and Recreation, an Arizona-based multi-state operator later acquired by Trulieve. Since its inception, Harvest of OH stood out as one of the few vertically integrated Ohio cannabis operations, with medical dispensaries located in Columbus, Athens, and Beavercreek, alongside cultivation and processing operations in Ironton. With its corporate headquarters based in Cleveland, Harvest of OH embodied Kirkpatrick’s deep-rooted passion for community and economic development, social equity, and reversing the stigma surrounding cannabis.
Inspiring Future Generations
Mavuno’s success story doesn’t end there. The sisters are eager to expand their footprint with additional dispensaries. Their journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for other women of color in the cannabis industry. “There are less than two percent of people that look like us, that are operators, are owners in the cannabis industry across the United States. So being pioneers in a new industry is very special,” Davis notes. The sisters’ accomplishment is not just about business success but also about breaking barriers and setting new standards for inclusivity and representation in the cannabis sector. They aim to pave the way for more women of color to step into leadership roles within this evolving industry.
Conclusion
Ariane Kirkpatrick and Amonica Davis’s story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through resilience, strategic thinking, and unyielding determination. As Mavuno continues to grow and thrive, it stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, encouraging other women of color to pursue their dreams and break new ground in the cannabis industry.
