Michala Toscas: Oakland Cannabis Kitchen

As the manager for the Oakland Cannabis Kitchen, Michaela Toscas, talks about theevolution of the cannabis industry and the importance of supporting equity businesses. Toscas also highlights some of the challenges she overcame as the chief executive officer of High Elevation, an Oakland based dispensary.

How do you think the industry has changed, especially how it also affects minority businesses?

It’s changed significantly. The industry was very small everyone knew each other. It was our smallbusiness circle. We had a great community where we used to help each other out and build each other up.

But, as soon as Proposition 64 hit, a lot of people from out of state, who weren’t in the cannabis industry,and other corporations jumped in.

There was this green rush, and the industry became very cutthroat. There’s a lot more competition thanthere are people working together.

My company and other community companies recognize cannabis for its medicinal value. We use it formedicinal purposes, and we want other people to use it to alleviate their issues.

Community businesses come from a patient-centered industry. But now, it’s just about the monetization and the bigcorporations. That’s why I want our small businesses and equity operators to work together. We can work as a team, build a strong operation, and have longevityin the industry.

Why is it important for small businesses to work together in the cannabis industry?

It’s very important for us to work together and strengthen our community-focused businesses.

What’s happening with the legalization is that big corporations are going to try to take over the wholeindustry, and everyone’s going to lose sight of the medicinal value of cannabis.

This is going to drive inequity and small business operators out of business. I’ve seen so many peoplelose their businesses, especially with COVID. These bigger companies come in and take over the marketshare, and it’s progressively getting worse.

So, these shared kitchens are going to have a huge positive impact in helping more small businessowners get licenses to use the kitchen. Only small businesses that make a certain amount in revenueper year qualify for these licenses. This way small businesses can make products for the competitivecannabis market.

What are some of the challenges you overcame to get to this point where you can help othersmall businesses?

I had a lot of challenges and learned some hard lessons. My biggest challenge was access to funding.It was tough to stay afloat with all these fees to transition over to the legal cannabis industry. I mean,pretty much drains our company. We poured all our money into properties and the legal process. If Ididn’t have my community and industry connections helping me throughout the process, I wouldn’thave been able to start my business successfully.

I’m taking everything I’ve learned to help build other small businesses. The shared kitchens are a turnkey program for success. They are meant to helppeople jumpstart their business. Even though we’re all competing in the same market, I believe inkarma. I’m putting good out into the universe, so good things will come back to me.

I’m not just here to make money or benefit myself. My purpose is to benefit the community andcreate a legacy that will change many people’s lives. That’s always been my passion.

How can the equity program improve to continue to help minority communities and businesses?

 The biggest issue for many equity operators is equity loans and paying those back. I like that the city of Oakland started the grant program instead of awarding loans. People are already trying to hold onto theirbusinesses. It’s hard considering the high costs cannabis operators incur during the coronaviruspandemic.

Equity money that’s coming from the state should be just going to equity individuals, especially during this time. I would like to see more grants, being given out to help equity businesses heavily affected by the coronavirus shelter in place. It could take a whole year just to get your business running again and be profitable.

The city is doing a great job with educational and legal advisory programs. Oakland’s equityprogram is effective, but there is room for improvement where more grants than loans need to beawarded to small businesses.

Get more information on Oakland Cannabis Kitchen and apply to participate in the program:https://www.oaklandcannabiskitchen.com