Meet 2 Black Women Who Are ‘Lighting Up’ The Projected $100 Billion Dollar Cannabis Industry

According to a recently released analysis by MJBiz, the cannabis sales forecast indicates a potential economic impact exceeding $100 billion within the United States in 2023. This represents a 12% surge compared to the previous year's estimations. Furthermore, experts anticipate another 12.5% rise in impact during 2024, with projections indicating a substantial 41% upswing from 2023 to 2028.

Unfortunately, even as the wave of support surges, the industry's doors have remained disproportionately closed to BIPOC entrepreneurs, and I'm talking specifically about our phenomenal Black women trailblazers. Black-owned cannabis businesses are as rare as precious gems. The hoops to jump through are still mind-bogglingly complex and the costs? Well, they could make your head spin, especially if your vision involves cultivating cannabis from scratch.

Meet Whitney Beatty and Ebony Andersen, the dynamic duo behind @JosephineAndBillies , They're not just changing the game – they're rewriting the rules entirely. Their mission? To usher in a new era of cannabis education, accessibility, and camaraderie, tailored specifically for women of color. And they're doing it all within the exquisite embrace of an elevated jazz era inspired “Teapad”.

Find out how they got their start in the industry, what sets their business apart from the competition, how they were able to receive an investment from Jay Z and more…

Before they stepped onto the stage to revolutionize the cannabis narrative, their paths danced to different beats. Beatty’s early Start in The entertainment business led her to the unscripted wonderland at Telepictures as the Senior Vice President of development. Andersen, a trailblazer in her own right, once wove urban dreams as an adept planner for the landscapes of Riverside and Ventura counties in California. The twist? She then spun her dreams into reality by birthing her very own land-use consulting haven.

Press Play to listen to the ladies share their story on how it all started on the Second Life Podcast 

A visit to Josephine and Billies is more than just a dispensary run, its an experience!

Venturing into Josephine & Billies, nestled at 1535 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in LA in the heart of LA, is like stepping into a time capsule, whisking you back to the golden days when the legendary Josephine Baker and the enchanting Billie Holiday serenaded souls across the land.

Situated in the radiant embrace of South Los Angeles, once christened South Central, Josephine & Billie’s stands as a sanctuary of learning, a haven of unity. It's where women of color and their allies find solace, where their footsteps echo in the corridors of acceptance. A speakeasy-style cannabis haven, with a twist.

This haven, owned and operated by the fierce feminine spirits of minorities, beckons visitors to waltz in, cradle a shopping basket, and traverse the aisles adorned with offerings from fellow torchbearers of Black, brown, and LGBTQ+ heritage. The spotlight remains fixed on enlightenment and holistic wellness, illuminating the path for every seeker who walks through those doors.

Our cannabis speakeasy, the first of its kind in the U.S. is a callback to the Jazz age, to the pearls of Josephine Baker and the poetry of Billie Holiday. It’s a trip back to the “Teapads” in Black communities of the 20s and 30s where folx would commune to enjoy jazz and cannabis while feeling connected, relaxed, valued and safe.

Our teapad is a throwback to the ‘20’s and 30’s when jazz musicians, writers, activists and more gathered in secretive teapads to smoke reefer, drink, listen to jazz and share big ideas. And just like back then… you’re gonna need a password to get in! (pssst: its “Billie sent me!”)

We pride ourself on offering a first in class in store experience. You’ll notice our Teapad is designed by terpene profile. Terpenes are naturally occurring in cannabis, and are highly aromatic tasty oils that give off cannabis’ delicious pungent smells. Its said that they can advance your mental and physical health with holistic benefits ranging from calming to energizing. Knowing the particular terpenes within a strain can allow you to curate your ideal experience.

Everyone responds differently to terpenes…. so the trick is to follow your nose and allow your senses to guide you! And remember, you can reap the holistic benefits of terpenes without needing to become excessively high by beginning with a lower percentage of THC with a higher amount of CBD and working up to your preferred experience! Research has shown that terpene profile is a much better way to predict how a strain will make you feel then whether it’s a sativa or an indica. So if you want to relax, we will suggest you take a look at the Myrcene forward product wall!

You might have heard all of the buzz around our pricing. As your neighborhood store, we want to offer you AFFORDABLE flower on a daily basis. You heard us! We have partnered with quality brands who value our community to offer the lowest prices in town!

Most important… We are here to help! So come down to the Teapad, take your time, ask your questions and sign up for a class!

 Visit their website to start a pick up order (Must be 21+) “Come get your flowers” @JosephineAndBillies.com