When former Catholic school principal Sue Taylor first dreamed of opening a cannabis dispensary, she never imagined the obstacles she would face as a Black woman entrepreneur trying to break into the emerging industry.
But this month, Taylor celebrates a remarkable four year milestone – defying the odds to successfully establish Farmacy Berkeley as Berkeley’s first and only Black woman-owned cannabis shop.
Educating Elders Inspires a Career Shift
Taylor’s journey into cannabis began when she saw how the plant’s health properties provided a terminally ill friend relief during cancer treatments. She realized her own lack of knowledge and “reefer madness” instilled beliefs had limited how she served elders in her role as school principal.
Driven by a new passion to inform seniors on marijuana’s benefits, Taylor invested her entire retirement savings into launching a dispensary focused on community education and access.
Historic Dispensary Overcomes Racial Barriers
But as a minority-owned business, Taylor faced constant barriers – from denied loans to landlords refusing to rent space. “It was eight years of activist work, trying to get a building, trying to fit in, being African Americans and get the door slammed in my face,” she recalled.
According to one 2021 report, African Americans comprise just 1.2% to 1.7% of cannabis industry ownership – though 13% of the total U.S. population.
Finally in 2019, Taylor’s tireless efforts paid off with Farmacy Berkeley opening as Berkeley’s first Black woman-owned dispensary – a historic milestone in the emerging legal cannabis market.
Serving Elders and Setting an Example
Now, Taylor helps combat outdated perceptions about cannabis among seniors and provides them access to alternative treatments. She also launched her own CBD line “Mama Sue Wellness” to further support pain relief.
As she celebrates four trailblazing years, Taylor hopes Farmacy Berkeley will inspire a new generation of minority cannabis entrepreneurs.
“It gave us a lot of pride to be that representative,” she said. Her message to others? “You keep recreating yourself. If you want to live a boring life, keep doing the same thing.”
Through passion and perseverance, Sue Taylor turned dreams into an inspiring first for Berkeley while serving overlooked communities. The “Farmacy” name captures her belief that when cannabis is accessible to all without stigma or barriers, it lives up to its power to heal.
