MMD is honoring Black History Month and celebrating Black excellence by partnering with Black owned cannabis brands and industry favorites to raise funds and awareness for these amazing nonprofits that support the Black community.
As well as raising funds and awareness for nonprofits doing critical work in the Black community, we want to celebrate Black excellence and perspectives within the MMD family. Get to know our amazing staff spotlighted below!
Cannabis history is Black History. It’s important for our industry to acknowledge the sacrifices and unjust treatment of the Black community historically related to cannabis. Damaging stereotypes were used in the 1930’s to fuel public panic. These racist attacks instigated by Harry Anslinger, the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics were used to make cannabis illegal. This targeted racism continues today with devastating consequences for the Black community caused by the failed and unjust “War on Drugs”
As an industry we have a long way to go in addressing systemic racism and providing equitable opportunities.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate Black beauty, pride, excellence and the significant contributions of the Black community but it is also a time to reflect on how we can collectively commit to fighting for justice and equality 365 days a year.
Hollywood
Morgan Lee
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
Lead, February 2021
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
My motivation each day when I get up is that I have an overall goal to have a women owned, black owned dispensary one day. Each day I come to work, I treat it like another day of training for the next level in my life.
How important is diversity in the workplace?
The Diversity I see today is huge to me because I have been in the industry 7+ years and I remember a time when budtenders used to be dominantly women! To see men holding budtending positions and management positions, not only helps create gender diversity but also changes the narrative that “dispensaries only hire women”.
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
I have many historical role models, but currently my role models are the two black women who recently opened dispensaries in LA. Not only are they paving the way for us black women, they are inspiring people like me to keep going after my dreams!
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
Where there is a will, there is a way
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
7 years ago I was robbed at gun point while managing at a chipotle restaurant, I then was diagnosed with PTSD. After many therapy sessions and refusing medication given to me, I had to find a way to sooth my symptoms. I then got a job at a medical marijuana dispensary and learned a ton over a course of 5 yrs. from terminal I’ll patients coming in looking for alternatives to there medication or patients with mentally health, I was able to help and receive gratitude when they found the products that worked for them. This filling alone encouraged me to keep educating and growing with the industry. 7 years later and now legal my passion still is there and I want to continue to educate my customers as well as my team around me.
CJ
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
My job title is Shift Lead and I started working at MMD in March 2021
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
My constant mission of being the best version of myself.
How important is diversity in the workplace?
Teamwork makes the dream work and that should include everybody’s dreams.
What does Black History Month mean to you?/Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
Black History Month is a reminder of those who came before us to create the space we live in today and keep us focused on making the future a better place.
What’s the most interesting/exciting thing that’s happened on the job?
Meeting people from all around the world, especially the US states that I want to visit one day.
What three words describe you?
Attitude. Style. Game
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
My parents and their parents.
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
Life is a place of service, and in that service one must suffer a great deal that is hard to bear, but more often to experience a great deal of joy. But that joy can be real only if people look upon their lives as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness
Who inspires you?
Anybody that is looking to find themselves and aren’t afraid to lose themselves in the process.
If you could have a conversation with a civil rights activist, who would it be and why?
MLK
What are your interests and goals?
Cannabis cultivation. One day I want to own a farm.
Aanisah Saunderlin
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
I just stared on January 11th of this year and I am a budtender
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
What motivates me everyday for work is working for individuals who cares about my growth within the company
How important is diversity in the workplace?
Diversity is very important to me because it makes customers feel more comfortable
What does Black History Month mean to you?/Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
As a black woman black history is what I live by everyday. It’s important to celebrate black culture because of the impact it has on society today. I wish one day everyone will take a moment to learn the roots of black history.
What’s the most interesting/exciting thing that’s happened on the job?
Being an employee at the Hollywood MMD location is exciting, because I’m able to meet people from different cites and have conversations with them about their time in LA
What three words describe you?
Funny, Faithful, Understanding
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
Yes, my older sister. She has her own business
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
“Dreams without goals are just dreams” – Denzel Washington
Who inspires you?
Issa Rae
If you could have a conversation with a civil rights activist, who would it be and why?
Gloria Richardson, because she led protests and later she inspired the black panthers
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
I love cannabis because of the benefits it brings, also I wanted to expand my knowledge of cannabis.
What are your interests and goals?
To own my own yoga studio and be a successful actor and writer.
NORTH Hollywood
Jeremy Suarez
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
Driver since Dec 2021
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
Being able to support my family and bringing joy into my community.
How important is diversity in the workplace?
Diversity is very important because we not only deal with all types of people but we also face unique challenges and having different prospective makes it easier to find effective solutions
What does Black History Month mean to you?/Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
Black history month is important because it gives us an opportunity to see how far we’ve come and where we are going. Black history month is a time to celebrate the achievements and progress made in the black community
What three words describe you?
Bold, black, and brainy
What are your interests and goals?
I want to continue to improve myself so I can be a valuable resource to my community, my country, and my coworkers
Mackie Suarez-Amaya
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
I’m the receptionist for MMD NOHO
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
Being a light to my co-workers, our customers, and our vendors
How important is diversity in the workplace?
A diverse group of people brings different ideas and perceptions
What’s the most interesting/exciting thing that’s happened on the job?
420…riding the mechanical bull
What three words describe you?
BOSSY,BLACK and BEAUTIFUL
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
My momma and grandmother…taught me to be kind and to question, everything
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
HAPPY…Mon, Tues….
Who inspires you?
My sons inspire me to be a better person.
If you could have a conversation with a civil rights activist, who would it be and why?
Aretha Franklin
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
Alternative to traditional medicine and the burgeoning industries
What are your interests and goals?
My goal is to learn as much as I possibly can about this industry.
Demee Pilar
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
Reception/Budtender. I began working at MMD in July of 2021
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
I really enjoy working in the cannabis industry and learn something new everyday and I get the chance to meet a plethora of interesting people.
How important is diversity in the workplace?
I think it’s very important. I feel that as POC we need to be seen in every aspect of this type industry specifically because we have been wrongfully targeted when it comes to cannabis, us being able to safely navigate in this industry and move up is essential. I hope to own my own shop one day.
Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
Black people in America have been treated to a degree that has been unjust from the beginning. Our history has been almost erased and celebrating it as well as consistently reminding people that we have contributed to the success of this country is necessary. Many need to understand that our voices are just as important as anyone else’s
What three words describe you?
Delightful, Thoughtful, Ambitious
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
Beyoncé
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
You gotta stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.
Who inspires you?
My partner.
If you could have a conversation with a civil rights activist, who would it be and why?
Young Angela Davis that is all.
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
I love weed.
What are your interests and goals?
Acting & becoming one of the best African American Actress’s that have ever lived. I’m going to win 3 Oscar’s.
Marina Del Rey
Morgan Little
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
Budtender/ Receptionist. Started working May 2021
How important is diversity in the workplace?
Very important. The input of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds is always needed.
What does Black History Month mean to you?/Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
To me, Black History Month means the empowerment of black people being showcased and teaching everyone about the struggle, the history, and the perseverance of the black community.
What three words describe you?
Goofy, nerdy, creative
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
Maya Angelou
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
We don’t read and write because it’s cute. We read and write because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passions – Dead Poet’s Society
Who inspires you?
My family
If you could have a conversation with a civil rights activist, who would it be and why?
Angela Davis. being able to hearher stories about the movement and her position in it would be extraordinary.
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
Learning about all the medicinal properties aligned with cannabis a lot of seem to not know about.
What are your interests and goals?
I like reading , writing and theater. My goal is to become a best selling author and have a movie made about my book.
Patrick Williams
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
Budtender
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
Meeting new customers and catching up with old customers
How important is diversity in the workplace?
It is important to development of all companies and businesses. To continue to provide customers with unique and innovative experiences.
What does Black History Month mean to you?/Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
Black History Month is the time most choose to highlight and remember events and accomplishments of the Black Americans. It is important for not only the black people but all races to learn about.
What’s the most interesting/exciting thing that’s happened on the job?
One of my favorite customers bought everyone on shift preroll for Christmas. Another one of my customers brought the shop bagels and coffee.
What three words describe you?
Discipline, goal oriented, joyful
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
Yes, Michael Curry
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
We do not quit, we do not lower, we do not run we endure and conquer
Who inspires you?
Kobe
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
I have always liked cannabis and wish to own a dispensary in the future.
Sierra Tolmaire
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
September 2021. Super Star
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
My daughter
How important is diversity in the workplace?
Without diversity everyone would think the same
Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
It highlights those who spoke out/ were the 1st Black people to accomplish excellent things.
What’s the most interesting/exciting thing that’s happened on the job?
Still waiting (Goody bags)
What three words describe you?
Genuine, a mother, BLACK
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
My father and my grandpa
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
Who inspires you?
MLK, Malcom X, GOD
If you could have a conversation with a civil rights activist, who would it be and why?
MLK: he is a leader
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
Weed is medicine
What are your interests and goals?
My family, GOD, American dream
Aaron Reese
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
Budtender
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
Money, friends, bills.
How important is diversity in the workplace?
Is this a question
What does Black History Month mean to you?/Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
I don’t. All races at some point have all been persecuted. I think its important to remember the past evils of the world, but I think we need to stop talking about racism for it to really end.
What’s the most interesting/exciting thing that’s happened on the job?
The occasional celeb.
What three words describe you?
I wouldn’t
Are there any influential African American role models in your life?
Hope
Favorite Quote or Mantra?
Tis but a scratch – The Black Knight
Who inspires you?
William Zabka the real hero from Karate Kid
If you could have a conversation with a civil rights activist, who would it be and why?
Nat Turner, Malcom X, Marcus Garvey.
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
Atmosphere
What are your interests and goals?
Movies, anime games, nerdy shit, IDK. Own a business
Eileen Walker
What is your job title and when did you start working for MMD?
Eileen Walker, General Manager 2019
What motivates you to get up and go to work each morning?
I enjoy working in my community and building knowledge on the benefits of cannabis. It is a joy to be able to combine my passion for education, cannabis, and community in a single role.
How important is diversity in the workplace?
Sometimes we get locked into a way of thinking because we have never been exposed to anything outside of our own world. Having a diverse workplace opens our minds up to possibilities that we never even considered; for ourselves and for our customers. It allows us to think about our role in the community from different perspectives. It also means that we have the ability to serve more people because we have a greater understanding of their needs.
What does Black History Month mean to you?/Why do you think celebrating Black History Month is important?
As a person of mixed ethnicity, I never saw myself represented in the media until I was an adult. I think many people don’t realize what effect that has on a person. When the default girl next door, hero, president, or action hero doesn’t look like you, how do you picture yourself in that role? BHM gives people who aren’t always seen an opportunity to see just how great they can be and celebrate the rich, diverse culture of America.
What three words describe you?
Advocate, Dreamer, Driven
If you could have a conversation with a civil rights activist, who would it be and why?
James Baldwin. He pushed the limits on what it means to be a civil rights activist. He went beyond race and advocated for gay rights long before it was easy to do so. He did it not only in his life, but also in his work. The passion he had can be felt across generations, and his writing really inspired me to leave my hometown. He was, and remains, my first favorite author. For all those years as a little biracial girl where I wondered where I might fit in, he showed me that there is a place and people for everyone.
What brought you into the cannabis industry?
I have a background in non-profit and a strong desire to help people. I also have a passion for cannabis, and its ability to transform lives. I came into this industry because I knew I would have the opportunity to make a difference by staying informed on cannabis research and growth and sharing that information with others. I really wanted to be at the forefront of transforming the way people think about cannabis and cannabis users.
Long Beach
Jonathan Durnell
Xavi Banks
Shanika Jordan
Maiesha Aguirre
MMD Shops is devoted to benefiting the
diverse communities we serve.
We have robust community programs at every location designed to support and reflect the diverse and unique communities we are honored to serve. From beach cleanups in Marina Del Rey, Addressing Food insecurity in North Hollywood, to supporting our LGBTQ+ Seniors.
Our staff is inspired by connecting with our communities hands on. We offer our customers several ways to get involved and contribute throughout the year.
Little Matron comes from the Russian word, Matryoshka. Meaning mother. Little Matron was created as a beacon of light for troubled youth. A portion of Little Matron sales will be donated to non-profit organizations that aid our younger generation.
We are proud to partner with our first non-profit partner, Ignite the Fight and Camp Lamon.
ITF’s mission is to walk alongside families during and after the cancer experience in offering both tangible resources and emotional support. Camp Lamon’s mission is to offer grief camp experiences to support and encourage youth in the healing process after the loss of a loved one to cancer.
Learn more at ignitethefight.org
Looking for help with substance abuse?
MMD Shops proudly hosts substance abuse counseling. We offer group counseling for drugs and alcohol with a certified substance abuse counselor. Please fill out the inquiry form for more information on weekly group meetings, meetups, resources and more and we will make sure to assist you in getting started with our sessions.
Substance Abuse Group Counseling
MMD Shops is committed to carrying brand vendors that participate in social equity and community cause programs.
Viola
Viola is a premium cannabis brand with the largest Black-owned cannabis footprint in the industry, rooted in building social equity for the black and brown communities.
Marley Natural
Marley Natural™ is a premium product line crafted with awareness, authenticity, and a genuine respect for nature’s nourishing benefits. As agents of change, we promote positivity, connectivity, and personal transformation. And as believers in progress, we offer an exceptional lifestyle line that is inspired by Jamaica’s vibrant energy. We are proud to be the official Bob Marley cannabis brand.
Farmer and the Felon
At Farmer and the Felon™, we’re determined to preserve the countercultural history of the prohibition era while advocating for social justice for the cannabis prisoners in the here-and-now. As industry veterans dedicated to cannabis freedom, we aren’t interested in being just another weed brand. We are, Cannabis for Change.
#MMDSHOPS
@MMDSOCAL
Cannabis, a muse that keeps us curious.
Our blog is published monthly and comes packed with information about the best cannabis brands, industry trends, and tips about how to get the most out of your cannabis experience. Bookmark us for your morning read, or stop in for a quick insight the next time you’re
shopping our online menu.
Hollywood
1515 N Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(877) 420-5874
info @ mmdshops.com
C10-0000510-LIC
NORTH Hollywood
4720 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(877) 420-5874
info @ mmdshops.com
C10-0000481-LIC
Marina Del Rey
13356 W Washington Blvd.
Marina Del Rey, CA 90066
(877) 420-5874
info @ mmdshops.com
C10-0000431-LIC
Long Beach
1901 Atlantic Ave.
Long Beach CA, 90806
(877) 420-5874
info @ mmdshops.com
C10-0000173-LIC