STIIIZY UNION SQUARE: LATINA WOMEN IN CANNABIS

The first Latina-owned cannabis retail to open through the city's Cannabis Equity Program.

On October 9, 2020, STIIIZY had its fourth store open in the heart of Union Square in San Francisco by the city’s first Latina to be accepted through the city’s Cannabis Equity Program: Cindy De La Vega.

De La Vega started from humble beginnings: having lived her life in the Sunnydale Housing Projects in San Francisco. Throughout all of her trials and tribulations, she has become San Francisco’s first Latina woman to own a cannabis retail store through the city’s  Cannabis Equity Program.

San Francisco’s Cannabis Equity Program is designed to help lower barriers and create business opportunities for those negatively impacted by the War on Drugs. De La Vega is using her experience and knowledge to run the STIIIZY Union Square location while also helping create new pathways for those who have been locked out of the city’s prosperity circle.

Choosing STIIIZY as her first cannabis retail made sense since she saw herself reflected not only in the employees, but in the leadership roles of Shryne Group as well (having 51% LatinX/several women in leadership positions etc.).

Having a Latina-owned cannabis store matters, especially in the heart of San Francisco. Her story connects with those who grew up in similar situations and shows representation within the cannabis industry. Some industry experts even suggest that more competitive markets favor businesses with men in ownership/leadership positions (Eli McVey).

Both Cindy De La Vega and STIIIZY are working to address this.