Tenth Anniversary Profile Series: Aisha Alves
As we continue celebrating the tenth anniversary of Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, we caught up with Aisha Alves to ask what she’s been up to since our last interview last March of 2021.
When did you first step into the cannabis industry?
I joined the industry in early 2021. Like many others at that time, I really started to re-think my career path during COVID, and ended up pivoting from the Beauty & Wellness sector to Cannabis. I connected with FlowerHire as a candidate to see if they could help me land a job in the industry, and ended up joining them as a recruiter instead! Executive recruiting was never a path that I had imagined for myself, but in truth - it has been the perfect way for me to support the industry and its people. I’m able to help businesses unlock their potential by connecting them with the right talent, and at the same time, help provide fellow female + BIPOC professionals the empathetic guidance and coaching that is so needed in this industry.
What was your initial role, and where has your journey led you today?
I started as an entry level recruiter, and after a VERY steep learning curve about the business of Cannabis, I climbed the ranks little by little. In early 2025 I was recently promoted to State Director (Florida) and also now serve as Director of Education + Programming at CannabisLAB.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey is being part of the creation of a vibrant and supportive AAPI community. From hosting the HAAPI Hour celebration during MJBiz in Vegas every year, to helping organizations like Asian Cannabis Roundtable, M4MM, and other groups grow their reach and influence - it’s been such a joy to meet so many like-minded Asian Americans who are, in spite of the cultural complexities that come along with this work, really blazing the trail for a more equitable industry. In fact many of them are also featured on AACE - I'm honored to be considered among them as friends and industry leaders!
What advice would you offer to someone looking to enter the cannabis industry?
Well, first thing - send me your resume!
Once you’ve done that - start studying up on the industry. There’s a lot of information out there, so I suggest starting with your home state. Find out what type of regulations are in place, who the major players are in the local industry, and of course - start networking. Joining the local chapter of a cannabis professional association is always a good first step.
Remember that ANY kind of career pivot requires an open mindset, humility, and a genuine curiosity for learning new things. The cannabis industry is our generation’s dotcom era - so be prepared to wear a lot of hats, learn to thrive in the grey area, and most of all: BE NIMBLE!
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