Kyle Page, Founder of EastCoasting Dispensary – Interview Series

As the U.S. cannabis industry has grown to be worth ~$35 billion, the many societal issues caused by its strict prohibition and the ways it upended certain groups of people’s lives can’t be understated. One individual whose life and community have been significantly impacted by cannabis prohibition, yet has still become an esteemed professional in the New Jersey cannabis industry and a strong advocate for cannabis reform, is Kyle Page, Founder of the EastCoasting Dispensary, set to open soon in Eatontown, New Jersey.

As someone who grew up in a historically marginalized neighborhood, what were your experiences with cannabis growing up, and how damaging were previous cannabis laws towards the communities that you grew up in?

I experienced living in both Brooklyn and suburban New Jersey growing up. I saw how police were, and continue to be, an oppressive occupying force in urban minority communities like Brooklyn, and I also got to see how policing works in regular suburban America. They are extremely different situations. As a minority in a predominantly Caucasian New Jersey community, I felt specifically targeted. While I was sentenced to serve 2 years in prison for 13 dime bags, my

Caucasian friends were given pre-trial intervention and cut loose. The police pursued extremely exaggerated charges, and the county courts not only tried me on those exaggerated charges, but charged me at 18 and sent me to prison.

How would you describe your own harrowing experience with being convicted and incarcerated because of cannabis charges? What were you ultimately convicted of and what were the penalties due to those convictions?

My cannabis conviction at 18 was an introduction to the reality of how unfair and predatory the justice system is, and how prisons do the exact opposite of rehabilitating people or correcting criminal behavior. At 18, I was convicted of possession of over 50 grams of a CDS (controlled dangerous substance) within 1000 feet of a school zone, and manufacturing. I was sentenced to 2-3 year sentences running concurrent with a 18 month stipulation. I served about 2 years on that sentence. At the age of 36, I was arrested in Kansas with 72 pounds of cannabis and a large amount of money. My first offer was 240 months, but I took a plea deal for 82 months with a 3 year post release. I served approximately 6 years in prison, and was released a bit early with help from Last Prisoner Project.

While incarcerated, how many people did you meet who were jailed for similar victimless cannabis possession cases? And were the majority of those people from marginalized communities as well?

I ran into a few people who were incarcerated for cannabis in Kansas – the state is very hard on cannabis. Yes, most of us were from minority communities. I was lucky enough to have a bunky named Donte Westmoreland who fought his way out of a 10 year cannabis sentence, and in turn helped me with paperwork to get out earlier and make it home a week before Christmas.

How hard was readjusting back to everyday life after your incarceration? What issues with access to housing, employment and education did you have at first?

I’m still not all the way back to normal after doing my time. The things you have to do, witness, and ignore would affect anyone. But even more than that, losing people while in prison is trauma that may never heal. Housing continues to be an issue because most apartments won’t accept you with distribution charges on you. As far as work goes, it wasn’t hard for me because I will honestly do any job to survive. I don’t believe anything is beneath me.

What personally and professionally interested you about working in the New Jersey cannabis industry?

First off, it’s home. It’s also where my cannabis journey started, so it’s only right that I bring back what I learned out West and turn up for the East Coast.

What struggles did you face at first when working in the New Jersey cannabis industry, and how did you end up partnering with Ascend?

I didn’t run into any issues getting into the cannabis industry, and Ascend is the first company I applied to. I guess it was meant to be, because Ascend is Family now. Frank (President) and Danielle Drummond (VP Social Equity) make it feel very natural – like talking to homies, not like dealing with what I thought corporate would be like.

What roles have you held with Ascend, and what were some interesting and useful professional/business management skills you learned in those roles?

I started as a Cultivation Tech 1, and within a year was promoted to Cultivation Lead where I oversaw a small team. I got to be a Product Rater and Representative of the social equity movement called “CO-LAB”. I then moved over to the retail space, and did everything from budtending to management. The most important thing I’ve learned through my journey is how to lead a team and still be a caring person.

How did you create the East Coasting store, and what all went into its creation? Why did you pick that unique name, and why is Eatontown being picked as the location?

EastCoasting is a representation of everything I’ve been through and learned from my young teen years up until now. It’s every scrape, loss, and triumph all in one. I picked Eatontown because it’s a great location and kind of in the middle of everything.

What are some specific goals and objectives that you hope to accomplish with the dispensary? And given your extensive cannabis reform advocacy work, what are some non-profit organizations that you’d like to partner up with once the store is open?

My only goal is to be successful and make EastCoasting a destination spot for cannabis enthusiasts. Advocacy is definitely an important aspect of the store. Ascend CO-LAB and Last Prisoner Project will definitely be a part of my further efforts in advocating for cannabis offenders.

As someone who’s an advocate for social equity programs and other programs to boost business owner diversity in the cannabis industry, how do you think New Jersey and similar markets could further expand or strengthen those programs? Where have previous state markets, such as Illinois or New York, either failed or missed the mark when it came to social equity inclusion?

First let me say I think that New Jersey is doing an amazing job with equity programs. With that being said, of course I think more should and can be done to assist those impacted by the war on cannabis. I think that programs should include those who had weapons charges related to cannabis convictions. I feel like some people are unaware of what it meant to sell or traffic cannabis before legalization spread to more states. I hope to see job fairs and opportunities servicing ex-convicts specifically. I think that other states missed the mark by not putting certain protections or guarantees in place to solidify a place in the cannabis industry for equity applicants. One of the most important things would be financial assistance programs for social equity groups.

Where do you hope the EastCoasting store is five years from now? As the New Jersey and greater American cannabis industry evolves, how do you and the dispensary plan to evolve with it?

My hope is that EastCoasting is not only a dispensary, but a brand that has transcended cannabis. I hope this dispensary will be a place where the community can gather as one, and be a beacon of hope for all.

Thank you for joining us, Kyle! For more information on the EastCoasting store opening and Ascend’s stores, please visit its website.