Daron Hudson, Founder of The Sanctuary Garden – Interview Series

When a cannabis business owner combines entrepreneurial expertise with a deep passion for community service, dedicated to the surrounding community in which their business is located, that moment perfectly showcases how impactful the cannabis industry can be on multiple levels. One such cannabis business owner who exemplifies those values is Daron Hudson, Founder of The Sanctuary Garden and a longtime community organizer and leader.

What initially interested you in studying the fields of law and social studies and what made you decide on John Jay College? How has your degree in Law and Society assisted in your career and projects with nonprofit organizations?

I majored in Law and Society. One of the things that always stood out to me is how the laws on the books are often applied differently than how society perceives them to be. With that in mind, I’ve always wanted to help bridge that gap, especially for those who have been directly impacted by the system. My education at John Jay sharpened my understanding of legal frameworks and social justice. That has been essential in both my nonprofit work and advocacy within the cannabis industry.

Prior to working with Housing Works Healthcare, what business executive leadership experiences did you have and what were the most valuable lessons you learned in the business world? 

I never worked for Housing Works in a formal employment capacity, but I volunteered for years and held a leadership position as Secretary on the Housing Works Healthcare Board of Directors. I was also involved in social work and built strong relationships with the community to help bring more clients to the services they provided. That experience taught me the importance of authentic outreach, consistency, and leading with empathy. All of those lessons have carried over into my business journey with The Sanctuary Garden.

Where would you say your passion for community service and the charitable work that organizations like Housing Works does first began? Were there certain defining moments that made you personally witness the importance of this work?

My grandmother was incredibly community-oriented. Anyone who needed a hot meal or a safe place to rest could come to her house. My mother also worked in social services, so that sense of giving back was deeply ingrained in me from a young age. I had a defining moment early in my career when I was mentoring a student in middle school. Years later, he approached me and told me how much of a difference that mentorship made in his life. He had been on the wrong path, and having someone believe in him changed his course. That moment has stuck with me ever since.

During your nine years on the board of Housing Works Healthcare, what were the regular duties of both yourself and the organization? How did the organization increase access to healthcare regardless of income or other factors?

During my time on the Housing Works Healthcare Board, I served as Secretary and supported the organization’s mission to expand healthcare access, particularly for underserved communities. While I’m no longer involved, I continue to carry forward the values of harm reduction and community care that the organization stood for.

What all went into the launching of the Housing Works dispensary? With it being the first CAURD dispensary in New York, were there extra hurdles or issues that the team had to face due to that status?

Housing Works’ role in launching New York’s first CAURD dispensary was a historic moment, and I had some early involvement as part of their Cannabis Committee. That experience helped inform how I’m approaching equity, ownership, and impact with The Sanctuary Garden today.

From your professional and personal experience, why is it important to attach community service and charity projects/organizations to cannabis brands and retail stores in a similar way as Housing Works did?

My volunteer experience goes far beyond Housing Works. Community service has always been part of my DNA. As the great Marian Anderson once said, “The service you give to others is the rent we pay for the space in the hereafter.” Cannabis has long been a part of many communities, particularly underserved ones, and we have a responsibility to give back and use this platform to uplift others.

What inspired you to found The Sanctuary Garden and how do you ensure those themes of community service and charity are incorporated into the store’s operations?

The Sanctuary Garden is rooted in healing, education, and community empowerment. We’re doing more than just selling cannabis. We’re creating a space where people feel seen, supported, and welcomed. Located at 2610 Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, The Sanctuary Garden is designed to  give back to the community and help it thrive, whether through mentorship, wellness programming or cultural events.  

What do you hope to achieve in both your communities and in the greater New York cannabis industry as well with this store? And how does The Sanctuary Garden stand out among its contemporaries among New York City dispensaries in particular?

Building real relationships is a priority for us. We’re here to educate, reduce stigma, and model what equity can truly look like in action. The Sanctuary Garden stands out because we’re not just checking boxes. We’re rooted in lived experience, legacy, and service. Our goal is to be a hub for the community, both within the neighborhood and throughout the city.

What would you say were the most universally useful strategies in management and efficient operations that you learned during the Organizational Development and Leadership course at Cornell? 

Being a good listener. That might sound simple, but it’s one of the most powerful tools you can have in leadership. Listening allows you to connect, build trust, and make informed decisions that reflect the needs of your team and community.

If a federal rescheduling were to occur, how would that change the operations at The Sanctuary Garden and other similar CAURD dispensaries? Do you think similar social equity programs would be expanded after a federal rescheduling or minimized instead?  

We’d finally be able to do our taxes in a better way, just like any other business. That alone would be a huge relief. That said, with the current administration, it’s hard to predict how rescheduling will play out. My hope is that equity programs are expanded and protected. But it will take ongoing advocacy to ensure they’re not sidelined as the industry becomes more normalized.

Thank you for joining us, Daron! For more information on The Sanctuary Garden, please visit its website.