Rubin Lindo, Blak Mar Farms - From Legacy to Legitimacy: The Challenges of Being an Entrepreneur in the Cannabis Space

On our latest episode of Grow Sessions we speak with Ruben Lindo, Founder of Blak Mar Farms, CEO of Phoenix Nutraceutical and CEO of Herb’n Couture in an episode entitled, “The Challenges of Being an Entrepreneur in the Cannabis Industry."

As one of the first successful African American CEOs in the cannabis space, Ruben Lindo strives to create attainable opportunities for those adversely affected by the war on drugs. Ruben spent more than 20 years in the legacy cannabis market and is now an active member of the legal market in NY state and beyond.

Join us today for an informative discussion on topics including the need for education in the industry, the hurdles that need to be overcome in the application process, legacy growing vs. the legitimate market, social equity in the cannabis industry, the importance of SOPs to grow healthy crops, and much more. 

If you are a cannabis grower, owner of a facility or thinking of opening your own cannabis business, you don’t want to miss this episode. 

About Ruben J. Lindo
Founder
Blak Mar Farms

Ruben Lindo is an experienced voice of reason and strong proponent for social equity in the New York state marketplace and beyond, as the business of cannabis and federal legalization become a more realized possibility.    

 After being a professional athlete for more than 10 years, Ruben retired in 2005 and transitioned to Executive Management in the high tech and finance industries, before entering the hemp and legal cannabis industries. He founded Blak Mar Farms, a minority-owned and operated, multistate cultivation operation specializing in luxury craft cannabis products, in 2019, and is the CEO of Phoenix Nutraceutical, which houses the Aminatu CBD beauty brand and Blitz CBD sports recovery products. He is also the President and CEO of Herbn Couture, a luxury cannabis events production company.   

As one of the first successful African American CEOs in the cannabis space, Lindo strives to create attainable opportunities for those adversely affected by systemic racism. His proposal to create an ethical and equitable cannabis industry by reducing barriers contributing to the lack of representation of those impacted by the failed War on Drugs, including people of color and other marginalized community members, was awarded a grant by California's GO-Biz Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions.  He is the co-author of “The War on Legal Cannabis, Just Say Yes”, a guide to understanding and working in the legal cannabis industry, along with his business partner, Dr. Norris Dorsey. Together, they run Gridiron Enterprise Management Group Inc.  

Lindo is an active member of Athletes for Care, which unites athletes as one voice to advocate for research, education, and compassion when addressing important health issues. Lindo is extremely involved in a community-based relations program with the New York State Police, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, and City of Kingston Police Department; working together to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement. He is also a good-standing member of the Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association, and a board member of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation.  

Lindo holds an MBA in Finance and Management from NYU’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business and an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University at Buffalo.   

Contact Ruben: [email protected]

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