In a major win for employee empowerment and social equity, Dispensary 33 has officially become the first fully employee-owned cannabis dispensary in Illinois. The pioneering company, which operates two stores in Uptown and West Loop along with four partnered Spark’d locations, finalized the historic transition through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The sale was approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on Thursday, putting the future of the company directly into the hands of its approximately 200 employees.
A Path Toward True Social Equity
Since opening its doors in 2015, Dispensary 33 has established itself as a champion of independent business in the cannabis industry. After making the first recreational cannabis sale in Chicago when adult use was legalized in 2020, the company remained steadfast in its independence, rejecting offers from larger corporations.
Founder Bryan Zises believes this transition to employee ownership represents a tangible example of cannabis social equity in action. “This is the ultimate success of social equity,” Zises said. “It’s a huge boon for social equity in Illinois because it gives people who are passionate about cannabis, but lack the financial resources, the opportunity to gain an ownership stake.”
Unlike many cannabis companies owned by large conglomerates, Dispensary 33 now stands as a model for how independent businesses can prioritize their workers. The ESOP allows employees to earn shares in the company over time, building long-term financial security while directly contributing to the dispensary’s success.
Empowering the Workforce
The company’s commitment to its employees is evident in its majority-minority workforce and its track record of promoting from within. Many employees have been with Dispensary 33 for more than five years, growing from entry-level positions to leadership roles.
Venus Bikos, who started as a budtender and now serves as the company’s controller, praised the move. “I appreciate that Dispensary 33 employs a really diverse group of individuals who are essential to our culture as a company,” Bikos said. “Being given this opportunity to share ownership is something that other cannabis companies in our industry don’t do yet.”
For longtime employee Aleks Glass, who is now the director of product, the ownership shift means greater job security and recognition for the people who keep the business running. “The majority of these companies are white-owned, but when you look under the hood, the people running them are largely diverse,” Glass said. “Now, we can say, ‘This is who’s actually running it,’ and that transparency is incredible.”
Leading the Way in Cannabis Ownership
Employee ownership remains rare in the cannabis industry, with only a handful of businesses in Maine and Massachusetts following similar models. However, Dispensary 33’s transition sets a powerful precedent for other companies seeking to make meaningful commitments to social equity.
Erin Johnson, Illinois’ Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer, commended the milestone. “Five years after becoming the first state to place social equity at the center of such a program, annual growth shows that priority can be achieved while also encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit for participants to join the industry,” she said.
For Dispensary 33, this new chapter isn’t just about ownership; it’s about creating a sustainable and inclusive future in cannabis, one where the people driving the industry’s growth are rewarded for their dedication.
As other companies consider the path of employee ownership, Dispensary 33’s success story may serve as an inspiring reminder that cannabis businesses can be both profitable and equitable.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
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