Housewives of Potomac dubbed Eddie Osefo “Happy Eddie”—a nickname that stuck. What began as a playful TV moment soon evolved into a powerful brand name and mission. Today, Happy Eddie is a multi-state Black-owned cannabis lifestyle brand bringing authentic representation, thoughtful product development, and a justice-oriented ethos to the heart of the industry.

Launched in September 2023, Happy Eddie hit the market just as Maryland’s adult-use cannabis market opened to recreational consumers. While Osefo had always planned to get involved in the cannabis space—whether through investment, licensing, or advocacy—the timing aligned perfectly with Maryland’s regulatory shift and his own growing public profile.

Happy Eddie is a multi-state Black-owned cannabis lifestyle brand bringing authentic representation, thoughtful product development, and a justice-oriented ethos to the heart of the industry.

“I always knew when Maryland legalized marijuana for recreational use, I was going to get involved,” Osefo says. “The idea of creating a lifestyle brand really took shape after the viral moment on RHOP, and the name just resonated. The community loved it, and that sealed the deal.”

Since then, Happy Eddie has expanded into Missouri and New Jersey, growing a brand that feels right at home in local dispensaries and resonates with everyday consumers. But navigating the cannabis space as a new business owner—especially in an industry packed with regulations and gatekeeping—is anything but easy.

“You bet on yourself and hope that everything else takes care of itself,” Osefo explains. “The highs are high and the lows are low, but I stuck with it. You have to stay on top of the rules and regulations to stay compliant, and keep your ear to the street to know what will resonate.”

Cannabis for the culture

“Our journey was no different than any other minority-owned business. When you enter rooms in the cannabis industry, you quickly realize they don’t reflect people who look like you—or the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs. That’s a problem.”

Eddie Osefo, Happy Eddie Founder & CEO

That connection to community—both culturally and geographically—is what sets Happy Eddie apart. Osefo’s mission goes far beyond THC percentages or trendy packaging. The brand positions itself as a space for everyday professionals, soccer moms, canna-curious newcomers, and longtime connoisseurs alike. In particular, Happy Eddie aims to provide a platform for people historically shut out of the cannabis industry due to systemic barriers and the ongoing impact of the War on Drugs.

“Our journey was no different than any other minority-owned business,” he says. “When you enter rooms in the cannabis industry, you quickly realize they don’t reflect people who look like you—or the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs. That’s a problem.”

With a legal background and deep understanding of policy, Osefo is determined to change that. Happy Eddie works closely with advocacy organizations like the Last Prisoner Project (LPP), helping to raise funds and awareness for cannabis prisoners and their families. The brand has implemented in-store fundraising efforts and uses its growing platform to highlight reform and social impact.

“We support organizations that drive outreach, education, and policy reform,” says Osefo. “With my legal background, I have a passion for criminal justice reform and eliminating systemic barriers. We want to provide minority entrepreneurs with meaningful opportunities in this space.”

Purpose beyond products

That same intentionality is evident in the brand’s product line. Happy Eddie’s best-seller, the Zen Wen strain, is featured across flower, pre-rolls, and strawberry lemonade terpene-infused edibles—with plans to expand into vapes and infused joints soon. “Zen Wen is a fan favorite,” Osefo notes. “It hits the sweet spot for micro-dosing and on-the-go use.”

The brand’s cultivation strategy reflects a focus on productivity and balance, with a preference for energizing sativas. “We cater to people with busy schedules who want to stay productive,” he says. “Appearance, aroma, terpene profile—all of that plays a role.”

Osefo remains focused on the long game: scaling sustainably, forging partnerships with other Black-owned brands, and continuing to elevate cannabis culture as a force for good.

There’s also a cultural nod in the product names, with certain strains referencing Real Housewives moments, appealing to fans of the show who now know Osefo as both a TV personality and cannabis entrepreneur. Yet behind the celebrity connection is a serious commitment to education, accessibility, and normalization.

“One of our slogans is ‘Everyday Professionals Who Color Outside the Lines,’” Osefo says. “I don’t look like the poster child for cannabis use, but that’s the point. Teachers, lawyers, parents—there’s a place for everyone here.”

That inclusivity extends to hiring. As the brand continues to grow, Osefo is on the lookout for passionate Brand Ambassadors, Content Creators, and Sales Representatives who align with the brand’s energy and vision. “If you have talent, we want to hear from you,” he says. “We’re scaling fast.”

Even as Happy Eddie navigates the patchwork regulations across Maryland, Missouri, and now New Jersey—where even packaging laws vary drastically—Osefo remains focused on the long game: scaling sustainably, forging partnerships with other Black-owned brands, and continuing to elevate cannabis culture as a force for good.

Destigmatizing the plant

“We’re not just here to sell weed,” Osefo says. “We’re here to represent a community that’s been overlooked—and to prove that cannabis users look like your lawyer, your neighbor, your kid’s teacher. The stigma has to go.”

So what’s next for Happy Eddie?

“More states. More products. More partnerships with Black-owned businesses. And hopefully, more real talk about what this plant can actually do for people.”

The work is far from over, but Osefo is building something that’s rooted in purpose, not just profit. And in an industry that’s still figuring out what equity really looks like, that’s the kind of energy the cannabis space could use more of.

Looking to try out Happy Eddie products for yourself? Shop the Happy Eddie catalog on Leafly, find deals, and stock up on your next favorite strain today.

For this mother-daughter duo, cannabis isn’t just a commodity—it’s a carefully curated tool for healing.

Anacostia Organics opened in 2019, becoming the first medical dispensary east of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. At a time when most dispensaries were planting roots in affluent neighborhoods or behind layers of security glass, Linda Mercado Greene chose to set up shop in Ward 8, one of DC’s most underserved communities. 

It’s not your typical dispensary. Granted, Linda isn’t your typical cannabis entrepreneur. With decades of experience navigating Capitol Hill, running PR firms, and advising the powerful (including Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson), the 70-something cannabis trailblazer brings both clout and compassion to an industry still fighting for legitimacy. 

Family-owned and operated

Helmed alongside her daughter Tamia, who serves as Director and General Manager, Linda has created something rare in today’s legal weed landscape: a minority- and women-owned dispensary that isn’t just a place to buy cannabis, but a place to be seen, heard, and cared for.

For this mother-daughter duo, cannabis isn’t just a commodity—it’s a carefully curated tool for healing. The inventory reflects this intentional approach with attention to terpene profiles and cannabinoid content, even if most DC consumers still shop by THC percentage. “People are learning,” says Tamia. “For a long time, people would come in and ask for one brand only—like, ‘I only smoke District Cannabis,’” she recalls. “But lately, they’ve become more open. If we’re out of something, they trust our staff to recommend something new.”

On the menu: Hyper-local and medicinal

For Linda and her team, building trust is just as important as the products on offer. In a city where many patients—yes, patients, because DC is still a medical-only market—are seniors managing chronic conditions, Anacostia Organics caters to people with arthritis, cancer, and people on multiple medications. “A lot of people want the relief without having to smoke.” Linda adds.

Tourists, enabled to self-certify their need for cannabis, seek the store out, too, and the insular DC market means that the menu is dominated by only a handful of DC-licensed cultivators. District-grown flower, terpene-rich edibles, topicals, and infused honeys are all part of the mix—though keeping the shelves stocked isn’t always easy in a medical market that’s still playing catch-up.

It’s not easy being a DC dispensary

“There’s a shortage right now,” Linda explains. With DC’s recent push to transition legacy operators into the legal space, the demand for products has surged—without a matching supply. “Cultivators didn’t have enough time to prepare for all these new businesses entering the market,” she says.“My stock levels fluctuate a little bit more now than they did previously.”

Despite being one of the earliest jurisdictions on the East Coast to legalize medical cannabis in 1998, the District has faced unique challenges in regulating its cannabis industry.

Shortages aren’t the only uphill battle that DC dispensary owners face. The struggle for dispensary owners is further compounded by federal tax code 280E, which prevents cannabis businesses like Anacostia Organics from deducting standard business expenses. “Eighty-five cents of every dollar goes to the IRS,” Linda says. “That’s because of 280E. We can’t write off rent, salaries, utilities—nothing.” It’s an especially heavy burden in a jurisdiction barred from building the retail infrastructure to compete with the illicit market.

Despite being one of the earliest jurisdictions on the East Coast to legalize medical cannabis in 1998, the District has faced unique challenges in regulating its cannabis industry. Federal interference delayed implementation of its medical program for more than a decade, and although voters overwhelmingly approved adult-use legalization in 2015, Congressional control over the District’s budget has prevented the city from establishing a regulated market. 

Every year, a rider introduced by Maryland Congressman Andy Harris—commonly referred to as the “Harris Rider”—blocks the District from using local funds to enact the will of its residents. “Only one member of Congress can stop the whole thing,” says Linda. If not for that, “DC would have a flourishing adult-use market generating tens of millions in revenue.” 

A sanctuary, not just a store

Despite the challenges, Linda keeps pushing forward. From organizing job fairs and educational sessions to hosting the city’s first government-sponsored cannabis podcast, Cannabis Conversations, she’s building something bigger than a dispensary. “Our motto is that ‘we are family, not a factory,’” she says. “We hug, we celebrate birthdays, we educate. It’s about community, not just cannabis.”

At Anacostia Organics, the mission goes beyond selling cannabis—it’s about restoring dignity, building trust, and creating space for healing. While the industry in DC is still grappling with restrictive laws and uncertain access, Linda has made her dispensary a sanctuary. The space itself is proof of that intention: warm, welcoming, filled with plants and original art. Patients are greeted with knowledge and kindness, not bulletproof glass. 

“Our motto is that ‘we are family, not a factory.’ We hug, we celebrate birthdays, we educate. It’s about community, not just cannabis.”

Linda Mercado Greene

The team takes time with each person who walks through the door, whether they’re seeking pain relief, guidance, or just someone who will listen without judgment.

As for the future? Linda is considering cultivation, “some sort of vertical integration.” She wants to expand into the South, bringing the Anacostia Organics experience to communities that need it. And, she wants to see federal legalization finally become a reality. No matter how the business grows, one thing won’t change: her commitment to compassion, community, and care.

“I think what sets us apart,” she says, “is that we see this plant not as a product, but as a tool for healing. And everyone who walks through our doors—no matter where they come from—deserves to feel that.”

Looking for cannabis and community in Washington DC? Shop the Anacostia Organics menu on Leafly for pickup, find daily deals, and stock up on all your favorites today.

In a cannabis market only beginning to recognize the potential of home delivery, Delivered Inc. is already setting the standard. Founded by Ruben Seyde, Eddy Twal, and Tut Liu, Delivered Inc.—based in Worcester, Massachusetts—launched in July 2023, becoming the fifth licensed home delivery operator in the state.

With backgrounds in both the legacy market and regulated industries, the Delivered Inc. leadership trio brings a passion for the plant that provides street-level cred along with business acumen.

The idea was born out of a pivot. Ruben originally planned to launch a 55-acre outdoor grow, but when COVID derailed funding, he shifted focus to the state’s new delivery license—a more accessible entry point into the legal market. Investor connections and shared values brought Eddy and Tut into the fold.

With backgrounds in both the legacy market and regulated industries, the trio brings a passion for the plant that provides street-level cred along with business acumen. That lived experience drives their mission: to fix what’s broken about cannabis delivery—whether it’s unreliable ETAs, poor communication, or bottom-shelf flower. 

Their solution: fast, reliable logistics and a thoughtfully curated menu, with service in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Customers get real-time tracking, prompt drop-offs, and a streamlined experience that feels as convenient as Uber Eats. There’s no reason it should feel sketchy, inconsistent, or late, according to Eddy. “It’s our responsibility to make our customers feel safe and give them an easy and seamless transaction.”

The nose knows

On the menu: pre-rolls, edibles, vapes, tinctures, rolling papers, and lighters. “We carry just about everything a typical stoner would want,” says Eddy. “But we put a lot of thought into how we build our inventory.”

That thoughtfulness starts with choosing the right partners. “We love working with small, social equity, and minority-owned businesses,” says Ruben. “Our goal is to offer value beyond just the product—supporting local entrepreneurs who care about the plant and the people consuming it.” He points to brands like Bailey’s Buds, Haven, U-4-EA, and even local competitors—like local producer (and fellow home delivery trailblazer) Major Bloom. “They paved the way. We credit them with helping to build this market.”

“I go by the nose—the smell tells you everything. If it’s got those terpene-rich aromas, it’s going to hit well for the consumer.”

While Delivered Inc. aims to serve a wide range of consumers, the realities of running a delivery service introduce some limits. “We have a delivery minimum of $75, which unfortunately prices some folks out,” Ruben acknowledges. “But we work hard to offer real value at that price point—like full ounces for $75, including tax. That way, people on a budget still get quality and convenience.”

At the same time, the team’s craft-first philosophy appeals to cannasseurs. Touring every grow facility themselves, Ruben and Eddy prioritize cultivators who put care into their practices. “I don’t really look at strain names or test results,” Ruben says. “I go by the nose—the smell tells you everything. If it’s got those terpene-rich aromas, it’s going to hit well for the consumer.”

Education also plays a role. “A lot of people still shop by THC percentage, but that’s not the whole story,” Eddy explains. “We try to help them understand the entourage effect, the role of terpenes, and that lower-THC flower can still deliver an incredible high.”

Tech-driven, human-led

With a menu populated by highly curated picks, Delivered Inc. sets itself apart further with a blend of cutting-edge tech. “We offer something unique—an AI budtender that gives personalized recommendations based on your tastes and mood,” explains Eddy. Powered by cannabis platform Jointly, the feature bridges the gap between digital ordering and a real dispensary consultation.

“We’re connecting with communities that previously only had access through the illicit market.”

“And every page on our menu includes AI suggestions based on your shopping history,” adds Ruben. “We want to make shopping as intuitive and frictionless as possible.”

But the tech doesn’t come at the cost of connection. With founders fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Delivered Inc. is reaching customers who’ve historically been underserved by the legal market. “We’re connecting with communities that previously only had access through the illicit market,” Eddy says.

Speed bumps and roadblocks

For Delivered Inc., the road hasn’t just been uphill—it’s been underfunded and full of systemic barriers.  They weren’t selected as a recipient for Massachusetts’ Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund, and the “lack of access to capital is the biggest challenge. It really hinders our ability to grow, ” says Ruben.

Marketing is also an uphill battle. As an online-only brand with no storefront, Delivered Inc. remains largely invisible to consumers unless they already know where to look. “We want to reach people compliantly,” says Eddy. “But building a social presence is hard.” From restrictive ad rules to being excluded from the state’s “Find a Retailer” locator, digital cannabis companies are often cut off from basic tools of modern marketing.

But limitations have also sparked creativity. One upside of not having capital, Ruben reflects, “is that we’ve developed a very personal approach with our customers.” With founders handling daily operations, “it really allows us to build strong relationships with our customers.” That kind of connection becomes a referral engine: “People love us, and they tell their friends.”

Looking ahead: Cannabis goes mainstream

When asked what’s next for Delivered Inc., Ruben doesn’t hesitate. “We’re going to be the best delivery operator in Massachusetts.”

After that? New England. Then the nation. “That’s our goal,” says Eddy. “We want to deliver an experience that’s easy, safe, and convenient for folks everywhere.”