Flower Power: Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) — Fighting for Equity, Community, and Progress
Celebrate the Champions of the Cannabis Community
Flower Power is LeafLink’s weekly series celebrating customers and organizations making a positive impact in cannabis. Every week, we’re spotlighting the change makers building a stronger, more inclusive industry.
Welcome back to LeafLink’s Flower Power series, where we spotlight the organizations making a lasting impact in cannabis and beyond. This week, we’re honored to feature the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) — the oldest national trade association dedicated to empowering minority-owned cannabis businesses and the communities they support.
Celebrating 10 Years of Advocacy and Connection
“MCBA, the Minority Cannabis Business Association, is a national organization, a National Trade Association,” shared President Frederika Easley. “We are actually celebrating our 10th year this year.”
Founded by visionaries who saw the urgent need for equity in the cannabis industry, MCBA has spent the past decade connecting, advocating for, and uplifting minority entrepreneurs. “We know that minority business owners and small business owners in general are pillars of communities,” Frederika explained. “They ultimately are the backbone of our economy.”
A Growing Movement of Businesses, Allies, and Advocates
MCBA has expanded its reach beyond businesses to include a broad network of community members and allies. “This year we opened up our ally membership tier for friends and family,” Frederika said. “If you are a consumer of cannabis, then this fight for legalizing it, this fight for research, this fight for moving it forward into a robust and comprehensive industry — this is your fight.”
Meeting Communities Where They Are
One of MCBA’s most impactful initiatives is the Equity Workshop Tour (EWT), led by Board Chair Mike Lomuto. “Last year we had 23 stops. This year the same commitment to touch the masses exists,” Frederika shared. “The amazing thing about our Equity Workshop Tour is that it meets people where they are.”
These events bring together stakeholders across the spectrum — from policymakers to entrepreneurs to community members. In Denver, for example, Governor Polis participated in one of the workshops, demonstrating the power of direct engagement to move the industry forward.
Looking Ahead: Revamping the Equity Report
MCBA is also focused on amplifying real-world experiences through research. “We’re going to be revamping MCBA’s Equity Report,” Frederika said. “We’re marrying it with narrative, because theory and practice are often two different things.”
By blending data with lived experience, MCBA aims to paint a clearer, more actionable picture around the state of equity in cannabis.
How You Can Get Involved
“If you are seeking ways of getting involved, I would encourage you to visit minoritycannabis.org,” Frederika encouraged. Whether you’re an ally, business owner, or advocate, there are membership tiers for every level of support.”
“We have to make sure we are fighting at a local, state, and federal level in order to get people in office who are friendly to this plant,” she emphasized. “Be a part of the action. Be a part of the movement to move this plant forward.”
📺 Watch the Full Conversation
Frederika’s passion and MCBA’s work are paving the way for a more equitable future in cannabis. Watch the full Flower Power interview here to hear how you can join the movement and make a difference.