As the founder of Monko, a luxury cannabis brand, and Pleasant Hill Wellness, its vertically integrated cultivation counterpart, Terrence White is reimagining what cannabis can be in Washington, D.C. But Terrence’s influence extends far beyond retail. A returned citizen and the former chairman of the I-71 Committee, he has been a driving force in advocating for equitable cannabis policies and opportunities for marginalized communities.
In this exclusive interview, Terrence shares the journey that shaped him into a visionary entrepreneur, his commitment to social equity, and how Monko is setting a new standard for luxury cannabis experiences. From battling systemic injustices to building a community-driven brand, Terrence is leading the charge for an industry that is as inclusive as it is innovative.
Cannabis and Tech Today: As the former chairman of the I-71 Committee and CEO of Monko, you’ve carved out a prominent role in both cannabis policy and retail. Could you tell us about the journey that led you to become such a pivotal figure in the cannabis industry, particularly in Washington D.C.
Terrence White: The journey started while I was in prison. That’s when my interest first sparked in cannabis. When I moved back to DC in 2015, I started to research more laws and see how I could integrate into the cannabis space. Once Covid happened, I began to do a lot of research about taking the stench and stigma from cannabis and came up with a luxury retail idea that blossomed into what is now Monko. During that period, I saw that DC needed a champion to fight for people of color and returning citizens. I knew I had the political power to be that person, so I began to lobby the DC council and help with social equity and creating ways for those in the illicit market to legally operate.
C&T Today: Monko is described as a luxury cannabis experience that aims to redefine the cannabis culture in the nation’s capital. What inspired you to create such a unique brand, and how do you see it contributing to the broader cannabis landscape?
TW: I knew that people view cannabis as a frown and not a smile, and I wanted to make cannabis and Monko the Louis Vuitton or Gucci of cannabis. It was my goal to bridge culture, earth, and apparel, and to ignite people’s curiosity through the landscape that I saw cannabis needed, which was education, culture, wellness, and a premium product and a premium experience.
C&T Today: You’re “Luxury with a Purpose.” Your commitment to social justice within the cannabis industry is evident, especially in your advocacy for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by cannabis criminalization. Can you elaborate on how Monko is actively working towards addressing these issues?
TW: We continue to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. I personally will continue to fight for legalization so that people who are incarcerated can become free and get their due justice. This fight is a personal issue for me as I experienced incarceration firsthand. I saw people doing 8-15 years for touching a plant. It doesn’t justify that many years. It shouldn’t be a jailable offense at all. I think as we continue to serve communities affected by the war on drugs and help them create generational wealth and obtain freedom, that’s where the reward is for me.
C&T Today: Prior to your work in the cannabis industry, you had a successful career in real estate. How did your experiences in real estate inform your approach to founding and operating Monko?
TW: Real estate prepared me for the battles that came with cannabis, but I also think that my personal experiences like being incarcerated prepared me more. Real estate has allowed me to have the connections in DC that are needed to help make change and be successful in cannabis. The two come hand in hand. Without those relationships, Monko wouldn’t be what it is today.
C&T Today: The I-71 Committee is focused on passing equitable and socially conscious cannabis legislation. What specific challenges have you encountered in this pursuit, and what strategies are you employing to overcome them?
TW: The biggest challenge was creating a pathway to a license, whether regular or social equity licensing. Those of us who choose to come to the legal market and face the cultivation issues and challenges in the nation’s capital, are dedicated to solving the lack of cultivation and fixing the supply chain.
C&T Today: Given the complexities surrounding cannabis legislation in Washington D.C., what strategies do you believe are most effective in advocating for the removal of obstacles like the Harris Rider and fostering a more equitable and inclusive cannabis industry in the district?
TW: We must continue to push for the removal of the Harris Rider by lobbying the Federal Congress and fighting on a local level to voice our concerns about why cannabis needs to be recreational in DC. That being said, we have to make sure we are staying on par with our neighboring states like Maryland and Pennsylvania so that we can have the successful markets they have now.
C&T Today: Monko emphasizes creating an inclusive and diverse environment for cannabis enthusiasts. How do you ensure that your business practices align with these values, both in terms of hiring practices and customer engagement?
TW: We pay our people well ($5 over minimum wage and $2 over living wage), above market rate, and we promote within. It gives us the ability to retain our employees, which is difficult in cannabis and train them over time to provide a luxury retail experience like you would have at Gucci due to low staff turnover. In terms of customer engagement, Monko is dedicated to giving each customer the ultimate experience through culture, earth, and apparel. It is our goal to not only create that experience but cultivate it one customer at a time. That’s why we have a higher return customer rate than the national average in cannabis. We thrive to ensure that not only we serve our customers but also our communities in person, through experience, and in community activations.
C&T Today: How do you balance your demanding roles in cannabis policy and retail with personal well-being and family time?
TW: I’ve been blessed with a wonderful management team. They help me manage all of this and give me the ability to take on these fights for D.C. for equity and making cannabis recreational. Their support allows me to have the top cannabis retail store in the city. My team and staff are everything. Without them, I couldn’t be successful. God has put me in this position, but he’s also given me great people and leaders around me to help me be successful. My family time is valuable because my team allows me to have that time to focus on being present when I’m with them.
C&T Today: What do you see as the future of the cannabis industry in D.C., particularly in light of ongoing legislative challenges and the evolving cultural attitudes towards cannabis?
TW: Rescheduling will help D.C. reach recreational status. The attitude that was once negative toward cannabis in D.C. will become positive because of what rescheduling can do for not just D.C. but the nation as a whole. Rescheduling will open a pathway to banking and institutional financing that wasn’t available previously. It will also lift the heavy 280e burden that has hounded operators keeping them from being successful.
C&T Today: Lastly, can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives that Monko is particularly excited about and how our readers can get involved or stay informed?
TW: We’re growing and working on becoming DC’s number one cannabis MSO-Multiple State Operator. Additionally, we’re always doing things to help support the community, so connect with us to stay informed and get involved. Follow us on Instagram (@monkodc) and check our website (monko.co) regularly for updates on our events. We will continue to celebrate advocacy and the culture of cannabis through these initiatives.
