We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Takisha Carter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Takisha below.

Takisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

One of craziest moments that happened most recently as an entrepreneur was testifying as an expert witness in a federal court trial. I was contacted one Saturday afternoon by a defense attorney, who needed a Cannabis Industry professional with a vast knowledge of cultivars (strains) in the legal and legacy market to be on the stand on the following Monday. He was referred to me by a colleague, and had called me directly to see if I was interested in helping out with the case. Without giving too many details about the case, I can say that never in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d be asked to appear in court as a witness because of the knowledge, education, and experience I’ve acquired in cannabis. My pathway into the industry has given me a unique set of skills that the attorney felt made me the perfect fit for the role. After being briefed about the case, and looking over the evidence, I appeared in court. I was nervous, as this was my first time in federal court and I truly didn’t know what expect. I was told that I was the last witness before closing arguments, and the prosecution will argue my relevance and need for testimony. I sat outside the courtroom and listened to the defense attorney and prosecution speak about me to the judge. They decided to proceed with my testimony, but first I had to be certified as an expert, or my testimony would only count as a lay persons opinion. Before I was called in, I watched the jurors, walk by one by one and enter the court room. I broke out in a nervous sweat, you would have thought I was on trial, and in a way, I was. My experience was questioned, my education, my associations, were all questioned, in front of the jurors, in front of everyone. The legitimacy of cannabis as an industry, as a field of study, as a business was all questioned. The stigma that cannabis carries was present in the prosecutor’s voice. After all, this was a federal court, and Cannabis is still illegal federally. After being questioned by both sides about my qualifications, the federal judge qualified me as a certified cannabis expert witness for the case, and the jury could then hear my testimony as fact. The attorney’s then began to question me about the matter at hand, and I testified under oath, as a Cannabis Specialist, about my consumption, the many different varieties of cannabis that exist, and so much more. It was exhilarating and a win for the cannabis community to be paid to testify about cannabis legally.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a disabled wife and mom of three who became a medicinal cannabis patient, turned advocate, when I realized that the list of qualifying conditions were missing my own, and the lack of affordability of the medical program for those who need the plant the most. I have been in service of some kind since my youth. My first job was at the local library, where I developed a love for research. I’m a creative and free spirit so entrepreneurship was always going to be the path that I chose. I have an experienced background in the personal, patient, and customer service industries, so I decided to integrate all of my skills and talents and apply them to the cannabis industry. I am a self educated herbalist, and have been creating herbal formulations for many years for clients prior to entering the cannabis industry. I began creating my own cannabis infusions and thought product manufacturing and culinary infusions would be my pathway into the industry, but I was called to advocacy and education first. I became a certified cannabis advocate, and developed a platform for black women like myself to have a safe space to discuss their cannabis consumption, and more. My herbal formulations and background as a hair and skincare specialist lead me to becoming a certified cannabis health coach. That is when I founded Afro Canna Wholistic, my health coaching business where I guide clients in “mastering the art of sustainable self care with cannabis.” The core of what I do at Afro Canna Wholistic is to advocate, educate, and elevate. I advocate for safe access, affordability, equity, and restorative justice in cannabis. I educate about the health benefits, conscious consumption, intentional use, and the impact of prohibition on marginalized communities. I elevate consumers health with guidance in unique cannabis experiences. Since inception my services have evolved to include private and group coaching, public speaking and education, herbal formulation and dosing guidance, classes and demonstrations, as well as private events. I am excited to see what other opportunities unfold for me as I continue my education and growth in cannabis as a Ganjier student, and now Hi Chef. I am most proud that my children can witness my development and watch me be the change I want to see in this world. The main things that I want to share with humanity is that you are your own healer and guru, I’m just here to remind you of the power you hold within, with plant allies.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are several books that have influenced me over the years. They have made an impact as I navigate the worlds of entrepreneurship and leadership as a woman of African decent in America. The current and historical challenges and barriers of racism, oppression, and suppression, are why my course of self education had to prepare me for what I was going to experience in this society specifically. Books like “The Education Of The Negro”, by Carter G Woodson, “The Isis Papers,” by Dr. Frances Cress-Welsing, and “Stolen Legacy,” by George G.M. James, were foundational in helping me establish my passion for advocacy and raising the awareness of others as I began to become more conscious of the condition of humanity. Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power Of Now,” and “A New Earth,” deepened my desire to problem solve and be the change. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, “As A Man Thinketh” by James Allen, and “Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill are great reads that shifted my mindset into self reflection, being intentional, and the understanding of “thoughts are things,” and words have immense power and impact physically. “The 48 Laws Of Power,” by Robert Greene, has been the most useful as a woman in a very male dominated cannabis industry.

Have you ever had to pivot?

An entrepreneur can experience many shifts in their journey. These shifts required me to have the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and pivot when needed. Throughout my life I have had to pivot in my childhood when relocating, in my career when navigating new industries, but most recently in business. As recreational cannabis legalized in my current state of Connecticut, I knew that I wanted to have a business in the legal market. I was sure that I’d have the opportunity to do so with my skillset and knowledge of infusing and formulations. I set my sights on the “Social Equity” applications for a lottery they had announced. The “social equity” lottery was said to be created for black and brown people who were most affected by the “War On Drugs” to have the first opportunity to participate in the legal cannabis market. I met all the requirements to qualify as a “social equity” applicant but what I didn’t realize was the barriers that would be in place to start up. Funding for cannabis businesses is far and few between, while traditional banking is out of the question because of federal prohibition. Venture capitalists and angel investors are too afraid of the risks, add on funding for a black women own cannabis venture, and you have created another challenge. I began to see my future in cannabis fade. To be an entrepreneur is to be a problem solver, and before you can help solve others problems, you must first be able to solve your own. I knew I didn’t have the funding nor access at that time to create a start up in product manufacturing, but I could continue to formulate. I created an exclusive subscription box service to start to build the demand for my products and seed money for something bigger. The opportunity arrived for me to move into the cannabis space with coaching, with a foundation in advocacy and education. I went after it with full speed and have not looked back since. Shortly after, I’ve started a podcast, launched my business, became an award winning cannabis activist, invited to speak at industry conferences, more. I have now come full circle, as a Hi Chef in the US creating infused menus, classes, and dining experiences, and its really just the beginning. I’ve now become aware of new funding opportunities specific to black women owned businesses and start ups, and I’ll be ready for the next round of “social equity” licensing if I desire.

Contact Info:

• Website: Https://www.afrocannawholistic.com
• Facebook: https://wwwfacebook.com/afrocannacoach