Budtender of the Month, Milo Black, is an avid Cannabis consumer and a fierce advocate for human rights.
A Nevada native, Black moved to Oregon five years ago on a quest to access better educational support for his two children, who were diagnosed with autism. After an accident where he was hit by a car in 2023, Black made the decision to switch from his job involving heavy physical labor in warehouses to pursue a career in the Cannabis industry.
A self-proclaimed “friendly neighborhood budtender,” he supports customers at Electric Lettuce by leveraging his personal experience with medical Cannabis, as well as his ability to naturally connect with others.
“I love being able to help people. We have a wide range of customers, people coming in, from freshly 21 years old to people in their 60s and 70s,” Black said. “I may not be a doctor, but I can let you know my experience, how it really helps me and use that to help others find what works for them. … The more you listen to your customers, the more you can actually cater to their needs in a way they will continue to come back.”
When there was concern about food and resource scarcity due to changes in federal government assistance in November 2025, Black worked with leadership at Electric Lettuce to create a discount for customers facing financial barriers to accessing Cannabis medicine. He also launched an independent food pantry to support the local community in a time of severe need.
Each year, Black and his fellow Groundworks Industries-sponsored Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion crew members run a company booth at the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade, where they provide education and teach eventgoers about Cannabis and its usage.
In December 2025, he launched his not-for-profit, M.B. Liberation, with the goal of driving systemic change and confronting policies that violate human dignity in Oregon. The most recent venture for the organization, the Human Dignity, Equity, Courage and Solidarity project, is specifically geared towards providing resources and material support to frontline activists defending human rights, like those currently protesting at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in downtown Portland.
“We’re fighting systemic injustices through situations like these,” Black explained.
Advocacy is a huge passion for him. His desire to help others, no matter the setting, is a significant driving force in his life. It should come as no surprise that his enthusiasm for improving the overall human condition extends well into the work that he does as a budtender.
“I love helping and connecting with my customers,” Black said. “I want them to feel like they’re at home with me more than just trying to purchase something.”
With a significant strong suit in providing a personalized touch and an authentic human experience, any customer who has the pleasure of working with Milo Black is sure to receive exemplary service.
