Growing Equity-Driven Businesses in the Cannabis Industry

Since 2020, BIPOCann has worked to make the cannabis industry more inclusive and more competitive. Our members are proving that equity is not just a social value — it’s a growth strategy. 

Through our programs and network, entrepreneurs have expanded into new markets, secured supplier contracts, raised capital, and grown sustainable businesses.

Our company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. However, we work with equity-focused entrepreneurs, businesses, advocates, and policymakers across the country. 

Our Mission

To shape a more accessible and profitable cannabis industry for social equity and minority entrepreneurs. 

Our Vision

An inclusive cannabis industry where diverse ownership drives innovation, business growth, and economic mobility.

Our Impact

  •  300+ founders and businesses supported across 24 states.

  • $1.5M+ in contracts and partnerships secured through our network.

  • 200+ vendor referrals secured through our direct introductions.

  • $250k in pitch capital earned in 2025 by entrepreneurs in our mentorship program.

Leadership

Ernest Toney, founder, leads BIPOCann’s strategic efforts to improve equitable representation for BIPOC entrepreneurs and business owners in the cannabis industry’s state-legal markets.

Since founding BIPOCann, Ernest has collaborated with business, government, and media stakeholders across the country to create programs and partnerships that help cannabis entrepreneurs access capital, education, networking, and business development resources.

In 2022, he designed and launched an accelerator program to assist social equity grant recipients (awarded by Colorado’s Office of Economic Development & International Trade) with business development, marketing, and mentorship. Through the program, Ernest has mentored 40+ entrepreneurs from six cannabis license categories – cultivation, product manufacturing, dispensary, delivery, transport, and hospitality – helping several become operational and revenue-producing businesses. 

Prior to BIPOCann, Ernest managed global marketing and partnership campaigns at MJBizDaily to increase global customer acquisition and attendance at MJBizCon and international events in Canada, Europe, and Latin America.

Recognition

BIPOCann has been featured in numerous publications including Bloomberg, Benzinga, MJBizDaily, and Yahoo! Finance.  In 2023, BIPOCann was a finalist in the “Advocacy Group of the Year” category at the EMJAYS International Cannabis Awards.

Speaking Engagements

 

2024

  • MJBizCon (Las Vegas)
    Panelist, “Cultivating Cooperation: The Power of Cooperative Economics in the Cannabis Industry”
  • CANNRA – External Stakeholder Meeting (Minneapolis)
    Panelist, “Supporting the Lifecycle of an Equity Licensee
  • MCBA’s Equity Workshop Tour (Denver)
    Panelist – Local and State Regulators and Advocates

2023

  • MJBizCon (Las Vegas)
    Moderator, “Creating and Sustaining a Just & Equitable Cannabis Industry”
  • Cannabis Quality Conference & Expo (Parsippany, NJ)
    Moderator, “Economic Equity: Brand Building, Strategic Partnerships & Growth in Cannabis”
  • Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference (Chicago)
    Moderator, “Social Equity Stories: What Worked and What Didn’t”
  • Cannabis Opportunities & Social Equity Town Hall (Seattle)
    Panelist, “Uplifting BlPOC: What’s Working Nationally in the Cannabis Industry”
  • Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference (Miami)
    • Moderator, “Social Equity: Translating Policy Into Action”
    • Moderator, “Invest in Emerging BIPOC Cannabis Brands”

2022

  • MJBizCon (Las Vegas)
    Moderator, “Strengthening Social Equity in Cannabis Through Strategic Partnerships”
  • Cannabis Marketing Summit (Denver)
    Moderator, “After Licensing Happens: Removing Barriers for Social Equity Businesses & How Marketing Can Help”
  • Global Cannabis Intelligence Summit
    Panelist, “The Cannabis Industry has a Unique Opportunity to Address Racial Inequity: Here’s How”

2021

  • MJBizCon (Las Vegas)
    Moderator, “Increasing Minority Participation in the Cannabis Industry’s New and Emerging Markets”
  • Black CannaBusiness Conference (New Orleans)
    Moderator, “Cannabis Policy on the East Coast”
  • NACB Social Equity Virtual Summit
    Panelist, “Minority-Focused Associations in Cannabis: Ready With Real Help”
  • GCI Virtual Summit
    Panelist, “Social Justice and Running CommunityProjects Within Cannabis”
  • Emerge Virtual Cannabis Conference
    Panelist, “Cannabis Industry Inclusion Update”
  • Cannabis Marketing Summit
    Panelist, “7 Tips for Infusing Your Cannabis B2B Marketing with Diversity”

2020

  • NACB Social Equity Virtual Conference
    Moderator, “The Journey of Social Equity Licensees: Stories from the Front Lines”
  • Cannabis Quality Conference
    Moderator, “The Future of Cannabis: A Discussion on Social Justice & How the Cannabis Industry Can Succeed”
  • Cannabis Sustainability Symposium
    Moderator, “Social Equity Best Practices for the Cannabis Industry”
Service
  • MSU Denver, School of Hospitality:
    Cannabis Advisory Board Member | 2024 – Present
  • Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment:
    Marijuana Education Oversight Committee | 2024 – Present
  • Industrial Hemp Research Foundation:
    Board Member | 2022-2024
  • Clio Cannabis Awards:
    Marketing & Advertising Jury Member | 2021