Sue Taylor, is a vibrant 76-year-old and former Catholic school principal. Now, she is making waves in the cannabis world as the co-owner of Farmacy Berkley. Her presence is introducing seniors to the benefits of cannabis.
In an interview with ABC-7 News, she shared her excitement about owning a dispensary in Berkeley, California. It also happens to be the first and only Black-woman-owned dispensary in the city.
“What’s wrong with just feeling good?” asks Sue Taylor to the outlet. “I naturally feel good.”
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The Journey to Her Own Dispensary
Taylor’s journey into the cannabis industry hasn’t been conventional. She initially had reservations about cannabis because of the way she was raised, until she saw its positive impact on seniors and experienced the loss of a dear friend to cancer.
“It was quite an honor to be that representative,” Taylor mentioned. “So many African Americans — it’s people of color who were incarcerated for cannabis from the get, right, from the beginning. It was us. And so to have an African-American family open up a dispensary such as this, it gave us a lot of pride.”
With a newfound perspective, Taylor co-founded Farmacy Berkeley. The venture took 12 years to materialize, and large investments of her own money, including her entire retirement savings. She mentioned that it took eight years before they could even get a permit.
“It was eight years of activist work, like trying to get a building, trying to get in, trying to fit in being African Americans and get the door slammed in my face, in our face, and not wanting to rent buildings to us and all that we went through, all those kinds of challenges,” she stated.
Finally, Taylor’s dreams came true in 2020 with the support of three outside investors. Although she depleted her retirement savings, it was all worth it in the end. Her passion for servicing seniors in the cannabis space grew tremendously, as well as her advocacy for communities of color.
Cannabis and Dispensary Advocacy
“It was quite an honor to be that representative,” Taylor mentioned. “So many African Americans — it’s people of color who were incarcerated for cannabis from the get, right, from the beginning, ” she said.
“It was us. And so to have an African-American family open up a dispensary such as this, it gave us a lot of pride.” This year, Farmacy Berkeley is celebrating its fourth anniversary.
Farmacy Berkeley isn’t just a store, it’s a community hub. The dispensary collaborates with local governments, businesses, and social equity organizations to educate the community about cannabis. Additionally, they prioritize sourcing products from local growers, offering a diverse range of items, including cannabis-infused sparkling beverages, various strains, and joint and muscle creams.
Seniors and Cannabis
Notably, there’s a product line tailored specifically for seniors under the brand Mama Sue — Taylor’s nickname. Looking ahead, Taylor plans to expand Farmacy Berkeley into a wellness center, further solidifying its place in the community.
“This has really been a dream come true. You know, servicing the community, servicing seniors,” Taylor expressed to ABC-7 News.
Mama sue is living the life of her dreams. She is adamant that everyone else does the same.
“You keep recreating yourself,” she told the outlet. “If you want to live a boring life, keep doing the same thing all your life.”
“I was a Catholic school principal, but now more passionate about what I’m doing now. And the sky’s the limit, and my 80’s is going to be even awesome,” she added.
