WHO WE ARE
Built on Culture.
Driven by Truth.
TheBWS is the premier Black cannabis media asset, connecting cannabis businesses to the Black community through authentic storytelling, rigorous journalism, and policy-forward conversation.
From the U.S. to the Caribbean, Canada to Europe, Africa to everywhere the diaspora lives. If it touches cannabis and Black people, TheBWS talks about it.
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BUSINESS & POLICY
Licensing, compliance, equity programs, and legislative impact on the Black cannabis space.
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LEADERS & BUILDERS
Founders, growers, dispensary owners, and creators driving the industry forward.
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SCIENCE & RESEARCH
Cannabinoid science, health policy, and medical developments without the hype.
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CULTURE & HISTORY
Black cannabis history, legacy-to-legal stories, and the diaspora's global influence.
We're building more than a show. We're creating an ecosystem. News analysis, political commentary, business education, our culture, real stories from real people. When someone wants to understand cannabis and the Black community, they come to us first.
JELANI LOCKS, FOUNDER & HOST
OUR SANKOFA VISION
In 5 years, if you're a cannabis business trying to reach the Black community authentically, TheBWS is essential. Not optional. We'll have helped launch Black cannabis entrepreneurs, influenced policy, and built a sustainable media company that gives back to the community that makes it possible. SANKOFA.
THE PROBLEM
There's a Gap in the Conversation
Black culture drives cannabis. But Black voices are consistently underrepresented in where the industry goes next.
Jelani Locks
DMV-Based
Politics
Entertainment
HBCU Proud
Culture
Advocate
Founder & Host
Jelani Locks is a 1983 Political Science alumnus of Hampton Institute/University (HI/HU - HBCU proud) with 25+ years across entertainment, politics, federal contracting, cybersecurity, technology startups, and cannabis communications advocacy.
A Virginia Democratic Party supporter at the local, state, and national level, DNC Small Business Council member, and Cannabis GOTV organizer during the 2024 campaign cycle, Jelani understands the intersection of policy, tech, and culture in a way few cannabis media voices do.
TheBWS isn't built on any stereotypes. It's built on expertise, credibility, and the authentic voice of someone who is committed to the community.
WHO WE SERVE
Made for Everyone in the Ecosystem
Whether you're building a brand, shaping the industry's narrative, or simply part of the community, TheBWS has a seat at the table for you. View Media Kit →
FOR CREATORS & EXPERTS
Be a Guest
Share your expertise, your story, and your perspective with an audience that's ready to listen. TheBWS is the platform Black cannabis voices have been waiting for.
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Founders, operators & policymakers
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Cultures, entertainment & diaspora voices
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Production + promotional support
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Content assets you for your own channels
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Network access & future collab opportunities
FOR BRANDS & PARTNERS
Become a Sponsor
You're not just reaching consumers, you're reaching entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and influencers who make decisions in the Black cannabis economy.
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Authentic host-read integrations
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Tier packages to fit every need
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Multi-platform reach across YouTube, LinkedIn & Patreon
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Exclusivity available at Premier tier
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Real-time performance reports
FOR THE COMMUNITY
Watch & Learn
Smart, relatable narratives that elevate Black cannabis leadership. From policy explainers to founder stories, this is the content the community has been missing.
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Free episodes on YouTube weekly
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Clips & shorts across LinkedIn & Instagram
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Early access + bonus content on Patreon
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Live Q&As and Ask a Regulator streams
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Member-only AMAs from $4.20/month
CONTENT FORMATS
Every Format. One Standard.
From long-form conversations to 60-second policy drops, TheBWS delivers education-first, professionally produced content across every platform.
LONG-FORM
Deep Interviews
In-depth conversations with celebrities, entrepreneurs, politicians, and thought leaders shaping the Black cannabis world.
ANALYSIS
News Roundups
Weekly cannabis news coverage with TheBWS' unique perspective, business, policy, and culture through a Black lens.
SHORT-FORM
Policy in 60 Sec
One idea, one stat, one fact, distilled into shareable clips that educate and drive conversation across every platform.
EVENTS
Convention Coverage
Behind-the-scenes reporting and live show recordings from the Black MJBizCon, Hall of Flowers, and other major industry events.
LIVE
Community Q&As
Real-time watch parties, Ask a Regulator sessions, and expert roundtables streamed live on Twitch.
ENTERTAINMENT
What Up Friday's
Current events, Comedy, Entertainment, Movies, Food, Culture, Travel, and Music
OUR RHYTHM
TheBWS Cannabis News, Entertainment, and Merchandise
PATRON EARLY ACCESS
Long-form episode drops on Patreon first. Members get early access 48 hours before public release.
CLIPS & SHORTS
Short-form clips distributed across all social platforms. Policy in 60, culture moments, and quotable highlights.
PUBLIC DROP
Full episode goes live on YouTube, free for the entire community to watch and share. Merch coming soon!
LIVE ON TWITCH
Live stream or Q&A on Twitch. Education-first with real-time community interaction and open discussion.
NEWSLETTER
LinkedIn newsletter with episode highlights plus an original editorial article written for the industry.
ALWAYS ON
News commentary, community engagement, and social amplification across all channels, every day.
Like & Subscribe
The Full Archive.
Yours to Explore.
Every episode lives on our site with full transcripts, show notes, and resources links. A durable content library built to last, owned and not rented from any platform.
Free episodes stream on YouTube. Members on Patreon unlocks early access, ad-free versions, bonus minisodes, and monthly AMAs starting at just $4.20/month.
TheBWS Library
SPONSORSHIPS
Partner with The Black Cannabis Platform
When TheBWS co-signs your brand, you get credibility in the black cannabis community. You're not reaching consumers, you're reaching decision-makers: entrepreneurs raising money, executives choosing vendors, looking for deals.
Jelani Locks, Host & Founder
