Community Highlights: Meet Toni Forge of 4LeafConsulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Forge.

Hi Toni, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a 30-year attorney. I started in the cannabis space in 2016. My neighbor and fellow attorney, Monique Jackson-Fitzgerald, suggested we start a cannabis consulting firm. We both were tired of corporate America. We opened 4Leaf Consulting in 2016. We interpreted cannabis regulations to potential cannabis business owners. I knew nothing about cannabis, but I did know the business. When I discovered that cannabis was a new emerging market, I got excited. I wasn’t a smoker or used cannabis, but I knew many people of color were incarcerated due to cannabis convictions. I wanted to be part of the solution. One year later, Monique decided to leave 4Leaf and explore other creative pursuits in the industry. My passion is education and assisting cannabis entrepreneurs. I have definitely expanded 4 Leaf. Not only do I work with cannabis entrepreneurs, I work with municipalities shaping their cannabis policies and programs. For the last three years, I have worked with the City of LA, the City of Commerce, and City of Hawthorne. I also have contributed to the State of New York’s social equity policy. I have co-authored a cannabis best practices policy book for municipalities. I also teach cannabis continuing legal education classes to attorneys. I sit on many social equity committees, and speak at cannabis conferences and on podcasts. I also teach business principles to cannabis social equity cohorts. I am committed to developing relevant social equity cannabis policies on a national level.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life isn’t smooth. First, my partner decided to leave the practice. That was devastating. I suffered from “imposter syndrome.” I didn’t think I could do it. After two days in bed and a bottle of tequila, I realized there was nothing to be afraid of. Other struggles include working with entrepreneurs who are interested in doing things “their way.” This can be very problematic. There are specific rules you need to follow in cannabis since it’s federally illegal. Oftentimes, folks don’t want to follow the rules. They rather take unnecessary chances. Being a small business owner is not easy and very tiring. There is a lot of hustling and networking. You are wearing multiple hats and you have to do it all.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about 4LeafConsulting?
4LeafConsulting is a California cannabis licensing and compliance consulting firm dedicated to offering clients a practical approach to establishing their canna-businesses. 4LeafConsulting specializes in local and state licensing, interpreting cannabis regulations, strategic partnerships, contract negotiation, and drafting and operational business strategies. 4LeafConsulting has won several competitive cannabis licenses throughout California. Additionally, I am “Of Counsel” with Nano Law, a law firm that specializes in cannabis startups, and general counsel for the LA-based dispensary, Josephine & Billie’s.

4Leaf concentrates on educating entrepreneurs about business. Many cannabis operators know nothing about risk management, HR, insurance, contracts and compliance. I use my 30 years of business knowledge to assist them with meeting their goals. We want to ensure business longevity.

What sets us apart is our vendor network and expertise in the cannabis industry.  We have a vetted vendor network to assist all our clients with their cannabis business.  We have a CFO, branding and media expert, Human Resource expertise, all the necessary elements needed for your cannabis operation.  We also listen to clients goals and give them a strategic path to achieve those goals. Our approach is practical, transparent and based on what is actually happening in the cannabis space. If we believe a client’s goal is unattainable, we tell them, and help them craft a new vision.  It’s about helping cannabis operators fulfill their dreams of ownership.

I’m so proud that our brand is about honesty and integrity. Cannabis folks know that with 4Leaf, you are going to be treated with dignity and respect, and we are going to do right by you.

We expanded 4Leaf to include business services, HR, Social media, CFO services, and everything an operator would need to be successful.

I serve on the advisory board of Women Empowered in Cannabis, Green Believers, and The Working Group. I have presented several cannabis educational seminars, including Lawline CLE, Women Empowerment In Cannabis, State of Cannabiz, Rossdale CLE, Green Believers, and Sensi Magazine’s “Sensi Women” series. I have been a featured speaker on numerous cannabis podcasts such as Conscious Cannabis, Cannabis Business Minds, Power To Fly, Women Leading in Cannabis, and several others.

I have a passion for social equity in the cannabis space. I consult, assist, and shape policy for social equity cannabis organizations in Oakland, Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York, and Philadelphia. I recently contributed to The Social Equity Advocacy Handbook outlining best practices and procedures for those municipalities and groups advocating for cannabis social equity.

I work with municipalities in Southern California, shaping cannabis policies. I am currently a cannabis technical sub-advisor for both the City of Los Angeles and the City of Hawthorne.

What I want readers to know is that 4leaf can help you with all your business and cannabis needs. We are a 360 business. We assist with business formation, contracts, accounting, media assets, social media, etc.

Any big plans?
The plan is to expand 4Leaf nationally and internationally.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.4leafconsulting.com
• Instagram: 4leafconsulting
• Facebook: 4leafconsulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-forge-01397a1/
• Twitter: 4leafconsulting