By Rita Thompson
The medical cannabis company co-founded by actor and author, Whoopi Goldberg, is going up in smoke.
Whoopi and Maya stepped into the industry four years ago. Their goal–to provide medical cannabis to women suffering from menstrual pain. The company took a stand against professionals who coil at the mention of menstruation and androcentric leaders who refuse to accept menstrual cramps as real pain.
The company is proud of what they’ve accomplished so far. However, they will no longer continue operations.
“In 2016, we launched with an urgent mission: to offer safe, natural relief for period pain through the miracle of medical cannabis.” the statement read. “We proved there’s a market for this medicine and it’s been our joy to offer this miraculous relief to our treasured customers.”
“Whoopi and Maya wanted a Divorce…”
Rich Cusick, company board member, said the closure is largely due to a falling out between its co-founders, Whoopi Goldberg and Maya Elisabeth.
“Whoopi and Maya wanted a divorce. We had several possibilities and proposals and none of which we could get both to agree on,” Cusick explained to GreenEntrepreneur. “The division is very strong within the company in that sense.”
They also struggled with the emergence of the recreational market. Having launched their brand in the same year as California’s Adult Use of Marijuana Act, regulations severely impacted the company. In particular, the 21-year-old age minimum restricted their ability to market products.
“Suddenly we’re jumping through hoops like every other company in California,” Cusick stated to CNN Business. “We were well on the way to [being cash-flow positive]. But then we had to jump through hoops to change our packaging…and then change our packaging again.”
Up Next for Whoopi and Maya…
As of now, the company is still intact. However, members hope to continue operations following discussions with its board and investors. But, it’s hard to say what the future will hold without Goldberg.
“It is with deep regret and sadness I am announcing that I have withdrawn as a board member, manager, and member of Whoopi and Maya. I am very proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to moving ahead with other projects in the market,” Goldberg told the New York Post.
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