5 LGBTQ+ Owned Cannabis Brands To Support During Pride Month

In the ’80s and ’90s, during the height of the AIDS epidemic, openly gay activists like Dennis Peron spearheaded the medical cannabis legalization movement. It was about recognizing that cannabis is an essential medicine for AIDS patients suffering from symptoms like wasting syndrome and chronic pain.

One of Peron’s most impactful contributions was the creation of the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers’ Club—one of the first public dispensaries in the country, meant to be a safe shop for the queer community and other marginalized groups seeking access to cannabis.

Peron’s tireless activism helped pave the way for California’s Proposition 215 in 1996, legalizing medical cannabis and changing the landscape forever. With this deep intersection between the gay rights movement and cannabis advocacy, there’s no better time to honor it than Pride Month.

Supporting LGBTQ creators or cannabis brands is more than just consuming cannabis—it’s about celebrating an inclusive community that has fought for both cannabis legalization and queer rights. From Northern California’s Emerald Triangle to New York’s queer community, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs are building cannabis companies that reflect shared values.

This Pride Month, we spotlight queer-owned cannabis brands that carry this legacy forward. And the support doesn’t stop on July 1st. Here are the Pride-friendly brands we’re shopping from year-round.

Stone Road represents the perfect blend of queer owned cannabis excellence and sustainable farming practices.

Lex Corwin founded the company in California, which remains a queer-led family brand that emphasizes a safe and inclusive environment for customers and staff. They grow their cannabis on a 57-acre farm in Northern California’s renowned Emerald Triangle, supplying over 120 retail locations across California and Oklahoma.

Stone Road’s expansion into states like Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Mexico hasn’t diluted what makes the brand special. Stone Road’s pre-rolls, along with their flower and concentrates, are still grown with care on their Northern California farm—proof that a queer-led, values-driven brand can grow without compromising on quality or community.

Curious about how Stone Road’s pre-rolls measure up? Don’t forget to catch our full review of Stone Road’s pre-rolls.

California-based Sonder brings artistic flair to the cannabis space. How? Space Crystals.

Founders Faun Chapin and M. Paradise lead this queer-owned cannabis company with their flagship product—popping candy edibles that take you right back to childhood. But that’s far from all.

Sonder’s commitment to sourcing sun-grown cannabis from small family farms is deeply rooted in community and ensuring you get top-notch quality. As one of the most innovative LGBTQ+ cannabis companies out there, it’s definitely fitting to shop here for your Pride Month sessions.

Did you know that the award-winning beverage brand CANN is queer-owned? I assume so, considering their strong presence in Pride-related campaigns and June, and innovative marketing strategies year-round.

CANN is a California-based cannabis company that’s earned “Brand of the Year” at the Clio Cannabis Awards, among others, and for good reason. They’re changing how people think about consuming cannabis through their low-dose social tonics.

Instead of choosing the option that gives you a hangover and erases what could be great memories, CANN presents an alcohol alternative that delivers the good vibes all year round.

Drew Martin Co. is the epitome of queer-owned cannabis authenticity. It’s a 100% queer-owned enterprise, founded by Drew Martin, his partner Andrew Freeman, and Nicholas Pritzker.

The most impressive part? They source their sun-grown cannabis exclusively from a queer, women-owned farm in Mendocino County for a completely LGBTQ+ supply chain. These strains are used to create their unique, low-dose botanical blend pre-rolls that incorporate creative botanical infusions for a sophisticated and nuanced experience.

But when it comes down to LGBTQ+ support, Drew Martin’s impressive supply chain speaks volumes about the brand’s commitment to inclusivity.

Peak Extracts is a true success story in the cannabis space. It’s one of Oregon’s most beloved cannabis brands, and co-owned by life and business partners Katie Stem and Kate Black.

But what makes it stand out? They’ve broken barriers as one of Oregon’s first LGBTQ+ and women-led extraction companies, specializing in high-quality, single-strain chocolates, tinctures, extracts, and topical products. Yas queens.

With a scientific approach to extracts and a deep commitment to queer representation, Peak Extracts represents pure excellence in the cannabis marketplace.

What many people don’t understand is the deep connection between cannabis and the LGBTQ community. It all stems from the shared experiences of marginalization and the fight for acceptance.

Both cannabis consumers and queer people have historically faced criminalization, stigma, and systematic oppression. There’s a natural solidarity between these two unique communities.

During the AIDS epidemic, when the government ignored the crisis affecting gay men, cannabis became a lifeline for many AIDS patients. Medical marijuana helped combat the severe weight loss, nausea, and pain that came with the disease and its treatments.

With this in mind, take a wild guess who was at the forefront of cannabis advocacy in the ’80s and ’90s: queer activists. Figures like Dennis Peron and Drew Martin became household names in both the gay rights movement and cannabis legalization efforts.

Today’s queer-owned cannabis companies continue the community’s tradition of activism and inclusion, while staying rooted in the quality cannabis consumers seek and deserve.

From small family farms in Mendocino County to lifestyle brands in the Bay Area, LGBTQ cannabis brands are creating spaces where queer individuals feel welcomed and represented. And it’s about time.