With the increase of the legalization of recreational cannabis country-wide, dispensaries are popping up everywhere. In Illinois, the Kaviar brand is making an impact by being the first black-owned and licensed cannabis business in the country, selling their products at dispensaries first in Rockford and more recently in Chicago.
Victoria Williams founded the Kaviar brand in February 2023, becoming the first black woman to sell her product in Illinois. It sold out in only 7 days. But this was not her first accomplishment. In Oct 2022, she opened the first black-owned craft grow and a dispensary, Starbuds, in Jan 2023. She wanted to create a company that empowered women, changed negative connotations about the cannabis industry, and educated consumers about cannabis.
Starbuds Cannabis Moves East
Starbuds began in 2013 in Colorado and expanded its dispensaries and craft grows across the county, including Maryland, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, and even Jamaica. The idea was to create a luxury cannabis brand and introduce it into the dispensary market.
Due to COVID-related delays in the licensing process in Illinois, it was two years before Starbuds could obtain an Illinois license and then another year to find a suitable warehouse in Rockford.
Co-owner Ahmad Joudeh, who owned a Chicago chain of T-Mobile stores joined his family members in Starbuds to create a multiracial partnership. Their first craft cannabis grow in Illinois occurred on Oct 3, 2023.
Inside the warehouse, clones grow for five weeks before being transferred to a larger room for an additional five weeks to vegetate. The following eight weeks consist of an alternation of 12 hours of dark and 12 hours of light to stimulate the THC in the buds. Once they are cured, trimmed, and packaged, it takes about six months for the product to reach dispensaries.
Williams had one goal with Kaviar: to “challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about cannabis by promoting its medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational benefits in a responsible and respectful manner.” Their mission statement centers on providing both recreational and medicinal consumers with a premium experience.
Superior strain knowledge allows the growers to provide elevated THC levels and expanded terpene profiles that are specifically picked for quality rather than quantity. Kaviar also relies on marketing, bringing the product directly to the consumers at dispensaries, and social media activity. They have expanded by sponsoring the Denver 420 Festival and the DOPE Cup.
In 2023, Kaviar won first place in the Colorado Favorite Concentrate Competition with products such as The Kaviar Cone, which is a 1.5 gram pre-roll with a glass tip. It was voted both Best Selling Concentrate and Best Selling Pre-roll. It is the only 1.5 gram cone on the market in Illinois. Their newest pre-roll, Kaviar Gold combines flower and live resin for more potency and smoothness.
Another popular product is their moonrocks, a combination of flower, oil, and kief, also voted Best Selling Concentrate, but they sell everything from flower to edibles to seeds.
Williams’ newest venture is a product called Wake N Vapes, disposable cannabis vapes, which feature a faster-charging, longer-lasting battery. They are available at dispensaries in Illinois and Arizona. Kaviar products can be found in Chicago at Starbuds Burbank and Starbuds Riverside.
For those unsure about what they are looking for, the Illinois Craft Showcase will take place on Sept 7 in Tilton, IL. This event allows consumers to interact with growers, showcase Illinois craft licenses, explore new brands, and sample new strains. The event is free and open to the public and there will be games, free samples, and gift bags to those attending. It is not only an opportunity for vendors to get their new products out and to the public, but a casual festival for consumers to gain knowledge, have fun, and find their new favorite strain.
For more updates on Kaviar Cannabis, stay tapped in with RespectMyRegion.com.
