BY THE ROOTS OF HOPE TEAM & LEONARD BRENNAN
The mission of Roots of Hope can be described as planting justice. The Roots of Hope Cannabis Cooperative is reimagining equity in RI’s cannabis industry.
For generations, communities across RI — particularly Black, Brown, and working-class neighborhoods — have borne the brunt of discriminatory drug policies and disinvestment. Now, as the cannabis industry takes root across the state, Roots of Hope Cannabis Cooperative is stepping forward with a bold vision: one where legalization doesn’t just mean profits, but healing, ownership, and shared power.
“We’re not just opening another dispensary — we’re building a movement,” says Roots of Hope’s spokesperson. “Roots of Hope is seeking an adult-use retail license, with the goal to become RI’s first unionized, workerowned cannabis cooperative. That means every person behind the counter, every hand tending product, and every voice in the room will have real ownership and decision-making power in how we operate, grow, and give back.
“At the heart of our mission is equity, but as a lived practice. We believe cannabis can be a vehicle for generational wealth, job creation, and community restoration, especially for people who have been historically excluded from opportunity. Our cooperative model ensures that workers are not only employees, but also owners, leaders, and architects of a more just cannabis industry in this state.”
“This is about more than business; it’s about rewriting the story of cannabis in Rhode Island — from punishment to prosperity, from exploitation to empowerment. We want to show that it’s possible to run a successful dispensary and invest deeply in the people who make it work.”
“Roots of Hope is what it sounds like: a promise to grow something rooted in dignity, fairness, and possibility. Together, we’re cultivating not just cannabis, but the future our communities deserve.”
THE ROOTS OF HOPE TEAM
JA’NELL HENRY is a lifelong advocate for justice, inclusion, and community. After 30 years of creating programs that empowered youth, people with disabilities, and underserved families, she turned her attention to the cannabis industry, recognizing its powerful potential to heal, rebuild, and liberate.
She co-founded Roots of Hope not only to build a brand, but to build a movement rooted in access, dignity, and authenticity. Her collaborative efforts ensure that everything Roots of Hope does — from how they grow, to how they give back — is rooted in equity, transparency, and respect for the plant and the people.
Ja’Nell believes cannabis should be a source of opportunity for those harmed by its criminalization. “Our mission centers around education, community investment, and intentional hiring practices,” Ja’Nell says. “We’re seeking to bring heart, purpose, and real-world change to the cannabis industry.”
TRISTAN FERN has over 20 years of experience in sales and customer service, with more than 10 years in supervisory roles. He has a degree in Criminal Justice and has worked as a probation officer. In retail, he boosted profits at Planet Fitness and enhanced operations. Tristan also managed operations at the Greenleaf Compassion Care Center, focusing on sales and profits.
He believes in the power of cannabis to drive growth and innovation, aiming to promote education and community involvement. His goal is to bring positive change to the industry.
VANESSA URENA is the current chair of Co-op Rhody and co-founder of Roots of Hope. She came into the movement to elevate her own cannabis knowledge while exploring the possibility of entrepreneurship after many years in public health.The ideas around worker ownership have opened her eyes to the power of solidarity economies and the foundations we need to lay for a more democratic and just industry and system.
“Roots of Hope will be unique in the industry because we will focus on impacting the community in multiple ways. Whether it be continuing advocacy for decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level, or highlighting local artists and organizations through our daily work in our shop, or providing education for safe consumption to destigmatize cannabis, we will never stop showing up for the people who have been affected by prohibition.”
Roots of Hope is working in collaboration with a wider cooperative ecosystem, “Because there’s power in the community and in showing up for each other. When we share in the responsibility to bring our efforts to fruition, everyone reaps the benefits. When economically we can empower workers, the community gains people who will fight for them,” Urena says.
Follow Roots of Hope on Instagram at @ rootsofhope.coop, and keep up with the rest of the cooperative cannabis ecosystem at @cooprhody.
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