nature’s grace

Nature’s Grace & Wellness has made headlines again, expanding its footprint with the acquisition of the OKAY Cannabis dispensaries in West Town, Evanston, and Wheeling. This move comes on the heels of the company’s Bud & Rita’s-branded dispensaries in Niles and Avondale, where partnerships and creativity have defined their approach.

As a family-owned and operated company, this rapid expansion does spark curiosity. When I check my emails, I’m reminded of references to past partnerships and developments that trace back as far as 2020. It’s intriguing how quickly a family operation can scale in a market that’s supposed to champion social equity and small operators while also supposedly slowing down on growth. But hey, consolidation is good for the market… right?

This weekend, the F'nAround podcast dug into the stories of Frost World Genetics, Toxic Apparel, and BakedBot.ai—individuals and brands that represent cannabis culture and innovation. These voices remind us what the industry stands to lose if consolidation continues unchecked. Catch up now at FnAround.com

Let’s not forget to question the narratives around growth and equity in cannabis. Who truly benefits from these shifts, and what does it mean for the social equity programs that were designed to make this industry fairer?