Today we’d like to introduce you to Seth Murphy.
Hi Seth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ive been immersed in cannabis culture for over 35 years. I’ve toured the world playing drums for countless artists. I’ve been involved in the MD cannabis industry since its inception, playing a key role in drafting the states initial cannabis legislation. I was awarded an HB-2 license to cultivate in the fall of 2021.
Since then I have operationalized my license, have products on the shelf and created BL^CK MRKT as a representation of all that I have been through and the ideals and values my cannabis brand represents.
I’m one of the only African American males in the country to own control and operate a vertically integrated license outright. In Maryland I am the only vertically integrated black owned cultivaton in the state. And currently I do not know of another cannabis company with a 100% black, female, and Latina C Suite.
My operation is located on 22 acres in Caroline County with 8K sq ft of canopy, with an ultimate canopy capacity of 225k sq ft
I will bring my dispensary online this fall and operational my processing capacity by years end.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Most definitely not. The road has been unimaginably challenging. Obtaining my merit based licenses was beyond difficult and costly. Every license comes with prodigious capital requirements in a landscape that is ever changing. I haven’t found any cannabis company that has raised any pre operational money from traditional lending sources or via third party investment.
Litigation, compliance, and start up cost are equally large and require immense skill and execution know how.
Operationalizing the license is another costly and time consuming process as well and marketing and advertising your brand culture and products effectively in a market dominated by large scale producers is daunting at best.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Im a family man. Family is most important. I’m lucky to have studied with some of the greatest living musicians in music history. And I was able to express myself and my artistry on a high level for many years. I saw many places and things, met people I never would have without music. I’m proud of how that experience connected me to cannabis and cannabis culture.
What sets me apart from others is Im an artist at heart with a duel degree in Spanish and finance, that grow cannabis, play music and u def stands the plant itself on many levels. I’m an active patient and participant in the market place and I believe an intimate knowledge of what makes good cannabis and how to best help people use cannabis to better serve their productive needs. Whether medicinally or recreationally
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’m from Baltimore. Born and raised. Roll up on me.. I’ve been all around, lived in many other cities for substantial periods of time. I have traveled the world and there is NO place on earth like Baltimore. It’s not just my home it’s who I am.
Whatever my dislikes of the city, they are nothing I know we can’t and won’t fix or change. I believe Baltimore, and Maryland at large have some of the best leadership in the country. Our people are second to non. Baltimore is truly unique and I’m proud to call it my home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marylandmas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blvckmrktofficial/
