In the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland, Colin Fraser is reshaping the cannabis industry with a purpose-driven mission that extends beyond profits. As one of only a handful of Black-owned cannabis businesses in this rapidly growing field, Fraser's company, Upling, is about more than cannabis; it's about community, equity, and second chances.

Building Upling, the First Black-Owned Cannabis Delivery App

Fraser's business, Upling, is the first Black-owned cannabis delivery app in the United States and Jamaica. He created the app to function like Uber Eats or DoorDash, but the product is medical cannabis. Upling is making cannabis more accessible to the people who need it most—veterans, senior citizens, and those with disabilities who often face barriers to access. His vision is to bring cannabis into people's lives in a safe, convenient, and educational way, especially for those who can't easily leave their homes.

The idea of convenience was born out of necessity during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. "When COVID hit, a lot of stores shut down," Fraser explained. "People had no ability to get to and fro, and that's when I thought of acquiring a license and starting this business."

The journey also took a deeply personal turn when Fraser's mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. After traditional treatments took a toll on her health, Fraser introduced her to CBD products as safe and accessible alternatives to traditional medications. Today, she is one of his strongest advocates and his most loyal customer.

Overcoming Barriers and Breaking Stereotypes in the Cannabis Industry

Fraser's journey to entrepreneurship was not without struggle. Fraser's parents immigrated to Silver Spring from Georgetown, Guyana. He found his way into the newly-legal cannabis industry after getting into trouble on the other side. "I was on the other side of the business for about ten years," he shared, referencing his time in the unregulated cannabis trade before he was shot and incarcerated. But he turned his life around. He found purpose in prison ministry for eight years, and it was during that period that he decided he would use his talents to make significant and specific contributions to his community.

Fraser's experience in prison opened his eyes to the challenges faced by returning citizens, particularly Black and Brown individuals who are often disproportionately penalized for cannabis-related offenses. In Maryland's early days of cannabis legalization, only 4 out of over 100 dispensaries were Black-owned.

This motivated Fraser to launch Upling and to begin to advocate for greater equity in the industry. Today, he works closely with Maryland delegates to address legislative gaps, particularly those affecting social equity licensing for minority-owned businesses trying to enter the cannabis industry.

Upling Supports Returning Citizens with Job Opportunities

Fraser's commitment to community extends to hiring returning citizens, many of whom faced similar barriers to reentry that he once did. Partnering with programs like Georgetown's Pivot Program and https://worksourcemontgomery.com/, Upling hires and trains individuals coming out of incarceration, offering them roles as drivers and tech-based positions that allow them to work from home. Upling is more than a cannabis delivery service; it's a second chance for many.

"Our goal is to provide a safe space where returning citizens can learn industry skills," said Fraser. He encourages Upling employees to learn data entry, coding, and IT operations, and build themselves a sustainable path to long-term employment.

Upling is Educating the Public About the Benefits of Cannabis

Cannabis for Fraser is not just about recreation. As someone who has never personally used cannabis, Fraser views the plant as a healing resource, emphasizing the benefits of CBD for ailments like PTSD, arthritis, and chronic pain. He educates clients on using cannabis in various forms, from topicals and tinctures to edibles, emphasizing safe, lab-tested products.

"Education is critical," he noted. "Cannabis has been demonized, but it's a healing plant that can benefit people in many ways."

His mission is to help people understand that, used responsibly, cannabis can be a tremendous tool for augmenting one's health and vitality.

The Future of Upling and Fraser's Vision

Upling has grown beyond Maryland, and is now licensed in DC and Jamaica, and operating in New York, New Jersey, and New Mexico through partnerships with local license holders. With plans to expand further, Fraser's goal is to make his app as commonplace as food delivery services, especially for those who rely on cannabis for health and wellness.

As he looks ahead, he is determined to see his app on the phones of every cannabis user across the country, providing safe, reliable, and convenient access to lab-tested products. One of Upling's most significant partnerships is with the dispensary chain Curaleaf, which operates four stores in Maryland and over 150 stores nationwide.

Reflecting on his journey, Fraser is driven by purpose and gratitude. "I believe God kept me alive for a reason," he said. "It's mandatory for me to give back, especially to those in dark places who need hope and a way forward."

Colin Fraser's journey from hardship to entrepreneurship reminds us that, for many entrepreneurs, business is about more than profits. It is also about resilience, community, and equity. Fraser's mission with Upling transcends the cannabis industry, embodying the belief that everyone deserves a second chance.