To combat the inequities seen within the cannabis industry, cannabis companies need to lead by example and be committed to creating an industry pace that is diverse and invested in social equity and justice. Fluresh, a leading, Michigan-based cannabis cultivator and processor, is launching a new business incubator, the Fluresh Accelerator, aimed to usher in the next wave of cannabis professionals.
After careful evaluation, the inaugural 2021 class of the Fluresh Accelerator program was selected to include a diverse group, with more than 80 percent of the selected participants being BIPOC. The program will feature four diverse Michigan-based businesses along with three individuals
We caught up with Denavvia Mojet, corporate impact strategist and legal compliance manager to chat about the project.
How has this incubator helped with local businesses, and what impact has it had on the industry and the community?
For starters, all of the Fluresh Accelerator participants are Michigan natives, meaning we are providing expanded business opportunities to others working and serving the same communities as Fluresh. We are also creating a network that brings opportunity to our cohort participants. Each program session, and the curriculum in general, connects participants with industry experts and community partners, all aimed to give participants the arsenal to grow their own cannabis businesses upon completion of the program.
Additionally, I believe this program has already impacted local businesses and our industry by showcasing what traditional corporate responsibility could look like if we think more openly about how we practice social equity and leverage our institutional privilege. We did not invent mentorship programs or business incubators—but, in creating a program blending the two, targeting groups underrepresented in the cannabis industry, we are innovating in our own way. That kind of thought leadership and commitment will hopefully drive other operators to do the same. It’s the healthiest form of competition and most noble driver of collaboration.
What process do folks have to go through to work with you?
Fluresh opened applications for the incubator program in December 2020, with eligibility open to any individual who is a legal resident of Michigan and 21 years of age or older as of January 1, 2021. Among other considerations, we strongly considered applications that aligned with Fluresh’s goal to make the cannabis industry more diverse and equitable for victims of the War on Drugs, the industry appeal, potential of business services or products, history within the cannabis industry and/or general professional experience as well as the potential impact the applicant and its visions can have on the industry.
To participate in future iterations of the Fluresh Accelerator program, we encourage those interested to subscribe for email updates at Fluresh.com, and we encourage other actors in our industry, who may want to lead an instructional virtual session for our cohort, to email us at flureshingtogether@fluresh.com. We are open to working with all who align with our passion for equity and justice.
What are some of the things you’re doing to ensure equity, and why is this so important to you?
To ensure equity, we targeted our program to individuals who have been harmed by marijuana prohibition or who have tried to get into the industry and were unsuccessful. We also focused on people from the most underrepresented demographics in our industry—people of color. That is important to us because we’ve seen the data showing how disproportionately these groups were criminalized during prohibition. We believe that equity fundamentally requires us to remember the people that are hurting the most. This program is a testament to that, as more than 80 percent of the selected participants are BIPOC.
We’ve often heard it said that Michigan is one of the most promising cannabis industries, and also one of the most overlooked. Do you think this is true?
Michigan has a long-standing cannabis program and a supportive cannabis community. With our unlimited license status, there is a lot of opportunity to build a positive cannabis culture for the good of all consumers.
What are your plans for the future, or any goals you hope to meet in the coming years?
We hope that this programming continues to become more comprehensive for the participants. We hope to see funding partners pick up this opportunity and join us in giving these incredible entrepreneurs and professionals more resources to succeed.
What do you hope businesses gain or take away from working with you?
We believe that, as the adage goes, “When you know better, you do better.” Knowing the industry allows the Fluresh Accelerator businesses and participants to navigate it more efficiently. We hope they are smarter and more profitable entrepreneurs who can avoid many of the common pitfalls of individuals who leap into this space without insight and guidance.
