'Ask Questions' Before Investing In Cannabis Urges Black Buddha Cannabis Founder Roz McCarthy

“I need you guys to make sure you ask questions,” urges Roz McCarthy, founder and CEO of Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM). Speaking at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Miami, McCarthy shed light on a prevailing trend in the cannabis industry, prompting potential investors and enthusiasts to adopt a vigilant approach.

McCarthy, owner of Black Buddha Cannabis (BBC), a social-equity-driven brand, which partnered with TILT Holdings TLLTF last October, said, “The trend of having organizations or companies that say, ‘Oh we created a fund for cannabis’ and don’t have the money.”

McCarthy's point was clear: It's paramount for potential stakeholders to scrutinize claims made by organizations, regardless of where these assertions appear. "I don’t care where it is,” she said, referring to big media outlets.

Racial and ethnic backgrounds shouldn't cloud judgment either, she stressed. “I don’t care if someone [is] black or purple. You have to go and look under the hood and make sure that what they’re portraying out in the media.” McCarthy stressed the importance of transparency and verification in the rapidly evolving sector.

McCarthy's emphasis on media and how companies present themselves has a recurrent theme: skepticism towards sensationalism. “I go back to the clickbait. People want to be like, 'Look at me! What I’m doing. I’m in cannabis.'” This underlines the CEO's call for thorough research and the need for consumers, investors and stakeholders to be discerning and knowledgeable.

For those interested in the cannabis industry and seeking insights from seasoned professionals like Roz McCarthy, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is set to return to Chicago on September 27 and 28.  All information is available on bzcannabis.com