Hidden Gems: Meet Marie Saloum of GreenPharms Dispensary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Saloum

Hi Marie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a first generation American and a dynamic and accomplished Hispanic professional known for my significant contributions in the field of cannabis, medical marijuana and dispensary operations. With a background that blends personal experience and hands-on industry education, I have made a notable impact through work as the founder and CEO of GreenPharms Dispensaries. My career has been marked by a commitment to being a leader in the Hispanic community, a devoted mother and wife, and being an educator in the cannabis community. I am particularly known for my resilience and confidence in my business models, which have led to the development of numerous brands like Cigaweeds, Primo, and Mad Terp. I also own and operate Marijuana Doctors, where the community can have access to reliable cannabis education and obtain a medical marijuana card. Beyond professional accomplishments, I am also passionate about philanthropy, cannabis education, family and actively engaging in community-related events, with my event business Trap Culture.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Navigating the cannabis industry as a female, Hispanic entrepreneur has certainly presented its own set of unique challenges. One of the primary hurdles has been overcoming the industry’s traditional male dominance and proving that a woman—and especially a woman of color—can lead and succeed in this space. There were moments when I had to assert my credibility and expertise more than my male counterparts, and sometimes that meant working harder to earn trust and respect. Another challenge was dealing with the inherent biases that exist in a competitive industry. This included not only facing skepticism about my capabilities but also grappling with the underrepresentation of diverse voices in leadership roles. I found it crucial to leverage my unique perspective as a strength, bringing a different approach and fresh ideas to the table. To navigate these challenges, I focused on building a strong network of mentors and allies who could offer guidance and support. I also made it a priority to foster an inclusive and diverse work environment at GreenPharms, ensuring that our team reflects the broader community we serve. By demonstrating our commitment to excellence and leading by example, we’ve been able to build a reputation based on merit and integrity. Ultimately, I believe that embracing and celebrating my background has been a significant asset. It has allowed me to connect with a wider range of people and bring a more nuanced understanding to our business practices. It’s about turning challenges into opportunities and using my experiences to drive positive change in the industry.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about GreenPharms Dispensary?
GreenPharms is more than a dispensary, it’s a resource, a community, and a partner in your wellness journey. Whether you’re coming in for the first time or have been using cannabis for years, we are here to offer personalized care and education every step of the way. We believe that cannabis can be a powerful tool for improving quality of life, and we are committed to providing safe, high-quality products to help people live their best lives. I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. GreenPharms is a place where customers feel heard, respected, and valued. I’m proud of how we’ve created a space where people can explore cannabis as a wellness tool in a thoughtful, responsible way. Our knowledgeable staff and the trust we’ve built with our customers sets us apart from many other dispensaries. We’re also proud of our commitment to sustainability, both in terms of our product sourcing and our environmentally conscious practices. What sets us apart in terms of the actual dispensary is that the Mesa location is the only “grab-and-go” supermarket style dispensary in the state. We felt that the shopping experience for cannabis consumers needed to be more mainstream and normalized. This inspired the renovation of our Mesa store, and we have received nothing but positive feedback since then.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
In order to truly be successful in business, risk taking is critical. If you aren’t prepared for some failures along the way, then you’ll never know what risks can lead to success. Recently, one of my dispensary locations was completely renovated into a concept that cannabis shoppers in Arizona had never seen before. Unlike your typical dispensary where everything is tightly controlled, secured, and your shopping experience is led by a budtender, this new location is more of a “supermarket style” experience for shoppers. Not only was this a risk monetarily, if our shoppers weren’t onboard with this new experience, we could lose business, it was also a risk for my reputation. What if this failed, and I was now known as the dispensary that tried something new that consumers were unhappy with. Fortunately for me and Greenpharms, this grab-and-go concept has been received very well and we have heard nothing but positive feedback.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://greenpharms.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenpharms.az?igsh=ZHV2bjYzZWF4eWtt

Image Credits
Carl Schultz