My name is Losia Nyankale, and I was born in South Africa raised and in Montgomery County, Maryland. I’ve always been inspired by where I grew up. We are cultivators by nature. Everything we consume comes from the earth. My mother always bought fresh produce as well. Montgomery County taught me how to give back to my community through required high school community service hours.

I became involved with drug policy reform through my career in advocacy. In 2014, I was part of an organization that helped legalize paid sick leave for tipped workers in Washington D.C. When I entered the cannabis space I noticed how my community didn't have the same understanding of the new cannabis laws.

Then, when I moved to Maryland and realized it wasn't legal to grow, I knew I had to get involved. I started volunteering with Maryland NORML and the rest is history. I think it's very important for business owners and industry influencers to participate in drug policy reform. It's essential to their existence. 

I’ve worked with some amazing people along the way, and Jay Mills, founder of #passthejay was the very first person in this space to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with me.  Jackson Farmer is an amazing grower and business owner that also has supported and encouraged my progress in this space. Tracey Lancaster of Peake Releaf, makes sure the voices in the community that may be looked over are heard and represented. Luke Jones of Maryland NORML, saw the leader in me and has been guiding the way for all of Maryland, in the fight for full legalization. 

Bo Luther of Hustlers to Harvesterz sparked the fire of cannabis curiosity in the community of Ward 7 and has been part of the solution, even allowing the #growithLisa Community Project to have a home for its annual harvest festival 2021!  Everyone that I have ever collaborated within the Maryland and DC cannabis space have been critical to the cause, and all the growers have shared their growing experience with me and others. 

Winning the 2021 Changemakers Award  means A LOT to me and my family. Doing projects like the Pumpkin Patch for kids in my community warms my heart because I need that healing just as much as my community. Gardening helped me through a traumatic 2017. My community experiences all types of trauma daily. 

Here’s my advice to aspiring cannabis advocates and business owners:

1. Take advantage of all opportunities. The cannabis industry is wide open for innovation and the creative spirit.

2. Be fearless in your approach and don't be afraid to collaborate.

3. Always support your local advocacy groups.

4. Give back. We are nothing without those that suffered at the hands of poor drug policy.

This year, I’m working on expanding the notion of adult-use legalization in Maryland to include home grow rights and expanding the #growithLisa Community Project from DC to other states like Maryland and New York!