Social Equity

Thank you for sharing our concern about social and racial equity in the cannabis space. 

Dockside was founded and continues to be cultivated, by people not traditionally represented in business ownership. We are a LatinX and woman-owned business, and not all cannabis businesses are created equal.

Dockside, originally a medical co-op, was built on the tenets of inclusivity and safe access. We are profoundly aware of the important role we are able to play as change-makers providing a safe space for all consumers and employees, and our wider responsibility to ensure a more socially just future for all. We continue to work as advocates for better legislation to right the wrongs of 100 years of prohibition, including social equity in cannabis businesses.

At Dockside, we have a deep passion for the cannabis plant and its ability to improve physical, spiritual, social, and mental wellness. With the same passion, we are committed to honoring our relationships with our people and community. Dockside is a diverse and inclusive space with hiring and other operational practices that reflect this. Over the course of Dockside’s existence, we’ve spent time assessing our company culture and practices further through the lens of anti-discrimination and anti-bias: from the vendors we carry, to the employees we hire and promote, to the customers and communities we serve, and the training we provide. We instituted a company-wide Diversity and Inclusion training, in addition to anti-harassment training. We’ve also provided gender inclusivity coaching for our staff, have removed gendered language from our company policies and job ads, and provided resources for managers to support a diverse group of employees. We will continue to offer our staff resources to ensure that our stores are truly inclusive spaces for marginalized groups. Celebrating differences, embracing change, and being a force for good are what propels us forward. 

Each of our owners (pictured here) play a different role in our company. Aaron Varney does a tremendous amount of patient and medical community outreach. Maria Moses puts her project management expertise to work, supporting operations. Oscar Velasco-Schmitz’ primary focus is advocacy and activism, which he has done long before Dockside was created.