Inside The First Black And Latina-Owned Vertically Integrated Cannabis Company In The US
In a rapidly evolving cannabis industry, where social equity remains an ongoing challenge, Standard Wellness Maryland is making history. Led by Christina Betancourt Johnson, the company is the first African American and Latina majority-owned, vertically integrated cannabis company in the United States—as confirmed by the company with the social equity office in Maryland.
Now, with the opening of The Forest in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood, Johnson and her team are bringing their vision of wellness, community and representation to life.
“We are incredibly honored to break new ground in Maryland’s retail cannabis landscape,” said Johnson, who also serves as the company’s CEO. “Our promise is to promote wellness and empower our community by being a trusted source for holistic well-being.”
A Business Rooted In Representation
The Forest represents the culmination of years of effort to create opportunities in an industry that has historically marginalized people of color. The cannabis sector, despite its multi-billion-dollar valuation, still sees minority ownership as an exception rather than the rule. The launch of The Forest is a tangible step toward reversing that imbalance.
“This moment is not just about one business—it’s a step toward …