Meet Kevon Carter and Prince Abidoye; they are the founders of Plant Base, New Jersey’s premiere black-owned and operated cannabis dispensary and cultural hub. The duo founded the company in 2019 but their partnership dates back to the basketball courts of New York City at the age of 16.
Carter would go on to get a first degree from Georgia State, followed by a master’s from Canisius, and pursue a career in strength training. Abidoye, on the other hand, graduated from California State University, Stanislaus, and applied his skills in the field of social work, according to Black Enterprise.
The duo leveraged their respective skills to make history in an industry where independent black-owned cannabis businesses make up less than 2%. The entrepreneurs said they were inspired to start the Plant Base by the evolution of the cannabis industry in California, from medicinal to adult use. The duo also took inspiration from their respective families’s experiences with the war on drugs and incarceration.
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“It felt right to create a brand that embodies our culture and lifestyle as we were directly affected in many ways,” Carter said.
Starting Plant Base did not come easy for the two. They had challenges with their 2019 medical license application. “As part of the inaugural licensing process, we faced numerous delays. It took almost a year to secure our real estate, which we then had to hold for two years without generating revenue—lengthy state and municipal timelines burned through a good chunk of capital,” Carter said.
It was also difficult to find a general contractor who valued their project.
“Additionally, we were ineligible for state grants. The stipulations stated your cannabis company couldn’t have been created before 2020. Banking remains a significant hurdle, as cannabis is not federally legal, limiting our access to loans and traditional banking services,” he noted.
Nonetheless, they built a stronger team and gained more experience. They even went on to raise over $500,000.
“As a Class 5 Annual license holder, we’re developing an innovative cannabis retail experience. We want to contribute to the emerging East Coast cannabis culture by promoting wellness, creativity, and community through our unique offerings,” Carter stated.
Carter and Abidoye said their goal is to become a premier brand by fostering community and demonstrating how cannabis can be intentionally incorporated into daily life in New Jersey.
“In those efforts, we’re currently building out a 4,200-square-foot facility with a creative community space called Home Base. This space will host podcasts, brand installations, and social events and offer a workspace for members—a unique feature not found in many New Jersey dispensaries,” Carter noted.
