Who We Are

Excelleaf and Canndid Spirit Too cannabis companies were founded on the idea that three African-American women and an army veteran could bring about diversity, education, health and wellness to an emerging industry. We are Nurse Anesthetists with over 60 collective years of experience caring for some of the most disadvantaged people in our society, including minorities, children, veterans and the disabled. We want to apply the same evidence-based approach and best practices we have learned from years of working in the healthcare industry to the cannabis industry in an effort to raise the scientific and professional bar. This is the catalyst that will revolutionize the way we approach health and wellness.

Vision

Our vision for Excelleaf represents a model that supports engaging our customers by empowering them with the knowledge to become more informed and conscientious health advocates and cannabis users. Our business model write focuses on four main areas.

Research-driven

Education first

Client-centered

Community-based

This four-tier approach is the key to helping consumers understand the vast amount of information that is currently available, yet difficult to understand and not always factual. We have been in the business of helping and healing and our clients understand they can trust us and trust that we are working on their behalf to provide the best products and methods available. We are championing this cause because we believe this alternate, more natural solution will help our clients regain control of their own wellness.

Craft Cultivation and Recreational Dispensary

We are licensed to dispense and cultivate in Illinois and will have access to all established dispensaries within the state. Our team is establishing working relationships with every licensed dispensary in Illinois which will allow our company to sell our Craft Grow products in our retail store as well as dispensaries throughout the state. As a craft license owner, we have the ability to introduce brands from well-established markets to Illinois, therefore bringing you the highest quality innovative products.

Community

Compassion and community service are the trademarks of our business philosophy and will be exemplified through our health and wellness educational forums, community outreach programs, local charitable involvement and donations. Through years of serving the community and building relationships, we have learned the importance of maintaining regular and constant communication with the community we serve. Excelleaf and Canndid Spirit Too will always be responsive to community concerns and suggestions and will work to become a pillar in the local community.

Social Equity

We are proud of how much we have accomplished with the winning of both a Craft Grow and Dispensary license in Illinois. We will not stop there. To think that the legal cannabis industry has added 100 billion dollars to the US economy and black, brown and female companies have been left out of this boom is absurd! We intend to pay it forward by continuing to work and advocate for diversity in the cannabis industry. As women, veteran and minority owners, we will share our knowledge and resources to help others who want to become cannabis entrepreneurs.

Why Social Equity Matters to the Excelleaf Team

Nakia

“Taking care of veterans was the lightbulb moment for me and my desire to enter the cannabis space. The vets expressed to me how cannabis helped with a variety of ailments when conventional medicine fell short. It was then that I realized that there were so many more uses for cannabis than I had ever known or understood. We were never taught those uses in nursing or anesthesia school. The second reason is a more personal one. About ten years ago, my mother lost her long battle with breast cancer. I remember how my mother suffered during her last days. The medications prescribed didn’t help her during those difficult times. The pain was so intense and debilitating; she was both hungry and nauseous at the same time, rendering her unable to eat. She wanted to rest both her mind and body, but was unable to do so. I wish I had known more about cannabis then, to help her transition more peacefully. This is my why. I want to help others who may be looking for an alternative, but not sure where to start or who to trust.”

Maria

“Why not? is the question. My answer is very similar to my partner, Nakia. I’ve taken care of patients that have incorporated cannabis into their health and wellness plan. I’ve seen the benefits that cannabis has to offer and the difference that cannabis makes in their lives. As an advocate, proponent and supporter of cannabis, I firmly believe this flower is a game changer. For many, this is a lifestyle. To be a part of this community brings me joy to see the changes that this plant has made and to envision the full potential that it has to offer. We’ve only tapped into a small portion of the plant and I am here for the journey. That is my why.”

Brian

“I have received countless awards from various community and religious organizations regarding my commitment and passion for public service. In recent years, through my work with the veterans Cannabis Project, I have gained an interest in the emerging cannabis industry as a result of listening to the concerns and debilitating conditions of many of my brothers in the Armed Forces. Always in service to others, I saw this as an opportunity to reach out to close friends in the medical community to learn more about the benefits of cannabis and how it could be used as a medicine for the many veterans suffering from combat injuries. Over the last four years, I have worked to educate others about the cannabis industry and become more involved in the movement to legalize cannabis in Illinois. To inform consumers of the many benefits of the cannabis plant is my why.”

Crystal

“I want to provide a place where people can legally have access to cannabis. Cannabis is one of the oldest agricultural commodities not grown for food and was banned criminalized and outlawed in 1937.
The criminalization of cannabis has social justice and public health effects. For my son, one afternoon, possession and eight hours of custody equaled an unfortunate future. Arrests for cannabis possession have disproportionately affected blacks and Hispanics and reinforced the perception that law enforcement is biased and prejudiced against minorities.
While others are monetizing the legalization of cannabis, many will never be able to realize their potential because of one mistake. The decriminalization and legalization of cannabis is a prime motivating factor for my why. To redress the injustice caused by harsh enforcement of cannabis crimes, particularly against people of color, is my why. Knowing that decriminalization of cannabis could have a significant impact on long-term economic recovery efforts and ensure that communities of color are no longer affected by the war on drugs is my why.”

You must be above 21 years old to acces this site.
You are entering the digital realm of Excelleaf, and we want to make sure you're ready for it.
We do not allow any minors on our site, so please confirm that you're older than 21.