We’re excited to announce that six Maryland residents are among the first class of the DaySavers Higher Potential Scholarship Award Winners, a first-of-its-kind initiative to help forge the next generation of cannabis industry leadership.
The Maryland winners include three Top Award Recipients: Christian Kearson of Windsor Mill, FreweyniAbrha of Princess Anne andCarrie Miskill of Baltimore.
Consisting of more than 200 prizes totaling more than $25,000, the Higher Potential Scholarship provides opportunities for current and future members of the industry, all donated by 25 different brands, businesses and organizations inside the cannabis space.
Kearson was awarded free seats in the Green CulturED Responsible Vendor Training Program and a specialized certificate program of their choosing, a tuition-free seat and to the Operator Academy, a consult and mentorship with CEO and host of The Canna Boss Babes podcast, a cannabis tourism mentorship with Trinity Madison, founder & CEO of Camp Laughing Grass and tickets to the IgniteIt Cannabis Capital and Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
Kearson holds multiple cannabis certifications and her goal is host to curated events, retreats and workshops about cannabis and healing to bring together women for experiences that blend wellness, joy and education.
Abrha was awarded a 1-on1 mentorships with scientists at the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy, tickets to the NECANN trade show in New Jersey and tickets to the IgniteIt Cannabis Capital and Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
Abrha is currently working on a PhD in Food Science at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore studyingthe molecular and biochemical interactions in hemp when challenged by pests. Her current research is focused on the impact of corn earworm infestation on cannabinoids and plant defense responses.
Miskill was awarded a 1-on-1 mentorship with Dr. Riley Kirk of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy and tickets to the IgniteIt Cannabis Capital and Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
Miskill is a certified personal trainer with a master’s degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland. Miskill hopes to develop a business that offers hemp-derived cannabinoid products and wellness consultation services tailored to people with or trying to pursue active lifestyles.
Other award winners from Maryland include:
- Dawn Scroggins of Baltimore was awarded a mentorship with Erin Kirk, Esq. from the Connecticut Office of the Cannabis Ombudsman and tickets to the IgniteIt Cannabis Capital and Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.; and
- Matthew Minyard of Laurel free seats in the Green CulturED Responsible Vendor Training Program and a specialized certificate program of his choosing, a tuition-free seat to the Operator Academy and tickets to the IgniteIt Cannabis Capital and Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
Winners come from 30 different states and were selected based on their application and personal essay detailing their background, interests, passion and journey in the cannabis space.
The Higher Potential Scholarship Initiative is part of DaySavers’ broader mission to advance cannabis education, equity and industry innovation. Founding sponsors include Custom Cones USA, the DaySavers family of brands, Ganjier, SUNY Niagara and Cannabis & Tech Today, among others.
“These awards will help provide potentially life-changing access to education about one of the fastest-growing and most exciting industries in the country, impacting both the lives of the students and the business of cannabis in general,” said James Valentine, DaySavers’ Communications & Content Marketing Manager and Scholarship Administrator. “This is an investment in people and in the future of the industry.”
Other Higher Potential Scholarship recipients received:
- Education & Resources: Tuition-free seats in cannabis programs from Ganjier, SUNY Niagara, Operator Academy, Green CulturED, Veterinary Cannabis Society, and resources from DaySavers, Sage Advice, Women Employed in Cannabis, and CannaSiteCo.
- Mentorship: One-on-one developmental mentorships and experiences with industry leaders Dr. Miyabe Shields and Dr. Riley Kirk (Co-Founders of Network of Applied Pharmacognosy), Harrison Bard and Fredrik Rading (Co-Founders of Custom Cones USA), Jessica Ferranti (Founder & CEO of The Mycelia Group), Erin Kirk, Esq. (Connecticut Cannabis Ombudsman), Ashley Manta (Creator of CannaSexual), Trinity Madison (Founder & CEO of Camp Laughing Grass), Ishqa Hillman (Founder & Host of The Canna Boss Babes), and M.Omari Jackson (Founder & CEO of Ganjactivist).
- Industry Access: Event access and editorial opportunities through Marijuana Venture, Cannabis & Tech Today, NECANN, IgniteIt Cannabis, CannaCon, The Cannabis Alliance,Fill-a Blunts, and Smoke Temple.