Vetra Stephens: This Is What Cannabis Success Looks Like

“When I walk into a room, people are often surprised that I don’t look like what you’d normally think a cannabis brand owner would look like; first because I’m a woman and I’m an African American woman and that’s the biggest difference between me and the other brands on dispensary shelves is that there is a small group of us that’s occupying this space.”

Vetra Stephens

She was the first dispensary owner to sell medical marijuana in Wayne County; Vetra Stephens has matured along with the cannabis that she grows, processes and distributes. Now at the launch in her first line of vape disposable pens and carts, Vetra Stephens, CEO/Co-Owner of RR Process and Michigan Octane; is an example of what success looks like in the weed business.

“I’m Vetra Stephens, co-owner of RR Process and Michigan Octane, a cannabis cultivation and processing center. We’ve been a licensed facility for the last five years. When I walk into a room, people are often surprised that I don’t look like what you’d normally think a cannabis brand owner would look like; first because I’m a woman and I’m an African American woman and that’s the biggest difference between me and the other brands on dispensary shelves is that there is a small group of us that’s occupying this space. Right now there’s only three percent African Americans that’s actually holding a license. We have not one license but holding two licenses.”

As fitted as the flowing dress that clings to her waist to the long flowing curls that fall on her shoulders, Stephen’s approach to success can often come off as relentless. “Sometimes people don’t take me seriously so I have to open my mouth to let people know who I really am. There’s plenty of times that I’m the only person in the room representing cannabis.”

A lover of anything that’s fitted and comfortable, Stephens is a dress-wearing woman through and through. Knowing when to use her feminine ways, Stephens leads every interaction with love. “From the beginning, I decided what I wanted and went after it. Sometimes when you have that kind of energy, you really don’t care what gets in the way of that. You can nicely and politely move to the front of the line. I tell myself that I can accomplish any goal that I want to achieve and I let myself know that everything is in reach and I treat people well.”

Launching a new brand of disposable vape pens and cartridges called Glotensity, Stephens is set to make a lasting impact on the market as the first brand to offer two-gram vape catridges instead of the industry standard of one gram. Making a mark on Detroit has always been her style

“I don’t really believe that I’ve developed much of a style. I just like what I like and I’m a true believer that people should be free to wear what they like and be who they want to be. I’m not a name brand shopping, I just love clothes that fit me well. Whatever I wear that makes me smile and comfortable in my own skin, is what I like. Whether it be expensive or inexpensive, I marry them together to make what works for me.”

Vetra Stephens