Dr. Chanda Macias has emerged as a leader in the cannabis industry after overcoming significant personal challenges. Once homeless, she believed in the potential of cannabis even when many doubted her path. Today, Macias serves as the CEO of the National Holistic Healing Center in Washington, D.C., making history as the first Black woman to open a medical cannabis dispensary on the East Coast.
Macias grew up in a working-class family and became a single mother as a teenager when her son’s father was incarcerated amid the war on drugs. Despite these obstacles, she enrolled at Howard University, where she developed a passion for science and began researching cancer-related topics. Through her studies, she recognized the role cannabis played in providing relief to cancer patients, particularly in her community, where its use was common despite its illegal status.
After years of working in various scientific roles, including a stint at Colgate-Palmolive, Macias returned to her cannabis ambitions when Washington, D.C. introduced its medical dispensary licensing process in 2012. She invested her savings, stopped paying her mortgage, and moved into a smaller apartment to afford the lease for her dispensary. Although she faced setbacks, including a landlord backing out, her determination led to the eventual opening of the National Holistic Healing Center in 2015, which began with just 13 patients and furniture from her home.
Macias’s influence extended beyond D.C. when Southern University in Louisiana enlisted her to revitalize its medical cannabis program. She successfully raised over $2 million to establish the program, making the university the first historically Black college and university (HBCU) in the U.S. to grow and manufacture legal medical cannabis.
In 2020, Macias was honored as Queen Zulu during Mardi Gras, a prestigious title that highlights her contributions to the community. Initially met with skepticism due to her cannabis background, the support from the Zulu community solidified her position as a respected leader. Additionally, she took on the role of CEO at Women Grow, an organization focused on promoting education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship within the cannabis sector.
In 2024, she co-created a product line called Hope, designed specifically for children with autism, which generated over $1 million in its first year. The initiative provided alternative treatment options for families in need.
Macias’s journey faced a recent setback when WNBA star Brittney Griner was scheduled to speak at the Women Grow Leadership Summit in 2025 but canceled her appearance after receiving a distressing message. Women Grow labeled the incident an attack on women’s leadership in the cannabis industry. Undeterred, Macias reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing women’s roles in cannabis despite the challenges.
Currently, Dr. Macias focuses on mentoring new cannabis operators and advocating for equitable legislation while warning against the risks of corporate consolidation in the industry. She emphasizes the dangers of excessive taxation and the possibility of larger pharmaceutical companies overtaking the market. Her mission remains personal, as her family has benefited from cannabis as a medical treatment. Macias continues to stress the importance of perseverance in the cannabis industry, stating, “No means keep trying. If I’m not out there sharing this message, they might not have a second chance at life.”
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