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In Memoriam of Bianca Sullivan
The EVOLUTION Magazine Newsroom
Sadly , the Missouri cannabis industry recently lost a very special person . In mid-December , Bianca Sullivan , CEO and co-owner of Fresh Green Dispensaries , passed .
Within the Kansas City area , Bianca became known as the first lady of the emerging cannabis industry . Along with her husband , Rob , Bianca was everywhere , attending all the MoCannTrade events and meetings around the state in 2019 , networking , and in 2020 , learning about the industry , rules , and regulations while advocating for its medical uses .
October 2020 , Bianca welcomed the very first customers into Fresh Green Dispensary in Lee ’ s Summit , MO , — the first Kansas City area dispensary to open . Later , in 2021 , the Sullivans opened their second dispensary at 7130 Wornall Rd . in Kansas City , MO . In 2020 , the Sullivans , both attorneys , were also featured in a 41 Action News - KSHB-TV news story about how they helped educate local law enforcement about the newly legalized cannabis sales and laws .
Bianca and Rob were also featured in our August 2019 issue , and Bianca on our November 2020 cover . The August 2019 feature story about the Sullivans ’ opening Fresh Green Dispensary was about their vision for their new dispensaries as they waited for approval from the state to acquire medical cannabis sales licenses and commence dispensary operations .
At the time , Rob Sullivan said , “ My goal is for Fresh Green to be unique from other dispensaries through our dedication to constantly putting the patient first . We will do whatever we can to help patients who need medical marijuana and offer discounts wherever possible or necessary for patient access . Our company has a strong advocate for patients in Bianca . Both have long histories of support from the medical perspective .”
Rob Sullivan went on to say , “ Bianca is the stimulus for me wanting to open this new business .” Bianca Sullivan was an attorney who graduated from UMKC School of Law School and moved to Southern California for six years . That ’ s where her cannabis story was launched . She then returned to Missouri , where she and Rob operated the Sullivan Law firm , regularly taking on pro bono cases to help those with no other options . Later , when medical cannabis was legalized in Missouri , together they pursued opening a new cannabis business .
In our August 2019 article , Rob said , “ She [ Bianca ] has been passionate about the legalization for patients benefits for many years . Most of the education I have acquired on the subject came from her . Beyond that , I have an inherent desire to help people facing difficult obstacles , especially in the face of adversity that is difficult for them to overcome . I have spent my entire legal career helping injured people and families who have lost loved ones and often face battles against companies that would be impossible without our help . I feel similarly about the challenges that patients have faced for years trying to gain access to the medicine they need . I am happy to help those people and finally offer them that access .”
Bianca said , “ My original goal was to carry on with my education in medical school , but as is often the case , life things happen , and you take a different path . I first became interested in the cannabis industry when I was an undergrad at UCLA when California was in the early stages of medical legalization . Some of my earliest exposure to the medicinal properties of cannabis came while volunteering at an AIDS non-profit group in Los Angeles . We helped educate patients and the community on Proposition 215 , the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 , which was the first state to legalize medical cannabis . With many states now having legalized marijuana in one form or another , I ’ m proud to say I was a part of its inception .
Bianca and Rob Sullivan at a 2020 cannabis industry meet and greet employee hiring event .
“ Back when Missouri began seriously considering legalizing cannabis for medical purposes , I was immediately interested in being involved . I saw another way to help some of my clients and others that would benefit from legalization .”
“ Early on in my legal career , I found ways to help others ,” continued Bianca . “ I got great satisfaction from working with the Midwest Innocence Project , an organization with a mission to educate about , advocate for , and obtain and support the exoneration and release of wrongfully convicted people in the Midwest . I continue to get the most satisfaction from helping others in need .”
Bianca took all her experience and education , from her undergrad in Biology to food service and law , to open Fresh Green dispensary . Bianca emphasized in the 2019 article , “ Above all else , I want Fresh Green Dispensaries as a company and as a dispensary to fulfill the mission of bettering the lives of those patients that will benefit from cannabis but may not be able to afford it . Of course , the company will have to profit to survive , but a dedicated percentage of that profit will always be earmarked for discounts available to veterans and low-income patients in need .” In fact , after opening their new dispensaries in 2020 , Bianca and Rob were among the first to offer discounts to veterans , seniors , and low-income customers . Fresh Green continues with such discounts to help those in need today .
Bianca dedicated her life to helping others and always wore a smile while doing it . She was also a true pioneer within the Missouri cannabis industry and its community . She will be missed dearly by all .
16 January 2025