Illicit Gardens and From the Earth are growing a culture of community and care
For Illicit Gardens and its retail arm, From the Earth, community engagement isn’t a marketing initiative, it’s a foundational element of the company’s culture. From quarterly volunteer efforts to targeted advocacy for nonviolent cannabis offenders, the organization’s outreach is both expansive and deeply personal.
“We’ve just always wanted to get out there and do stuff,” said Adam Diltz, COO of Illicit Gardens. “It’s something we emphasize pretty strongly with our staff. It’s not mandatory, but we love to see them out there. We get awesome turnouts, everyone has a good time, and I think it makes people closer at work.”
That spirit of participation is ingrained in the company’s leadership and history. Many of the founding team members have worked together across industries and over the course of a decade in cannabis, bringing shared values and a Kansas City-grown sense of responsibility to their work. “Most of us are from the Kansas City area,” Diltz said. “We’ve seen it grow, seen it change, and we know there’s still more we can do.”
Building a culture of contribution
From Thanksgiving food drives to school supply drop-offs, Illicit’s projects are diverse and intentionally hands-on. The company regularly partners with community organizations to identify areas of need, hosting drives and events across its dispensaries and facilities.
The staff-driven nature of many of these initiatives reflects a broader ethos at the company. “We definitely have a culture here where everyone is welcome to throw out ideas,” Diltz said. “Sometimes it’s a church group, a bowling league, someone’s neighborhood. We’re open to it all.”
Much of the company’s volunteer coordination and outreach programming is driven by Sami Childress, National Event Director, according to Diltz. “Sammy walked into our office a couple months into the grow getting built,” Diltz recalls. “She started from the bottom and now oversees a team of brand ambassadors. She spearheads setting up volunteer appointments, checking people in, and making sure these efforts succeed. She’s built a great career here and has been a huge part of strengthening our community culture.”
That community culture extends in multiple directions, including the company’s long-standing partnership with the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation (HEDC), which operates a roundup program through From The Earth dispensaries. “That’s in the tens of thousands of dollars a year just from people rounding up their change,” Diltz said. “We’ve worked with them for nearly five years now.”
Childress echoed the importance of community efforts and partnerships like the one with HEDC, saying, “Illicit and From The Earth are proud to be active participants in the communities we serve. Over the years, our teams have participated in numerous local events, supported neighborhood initiatives, and partnered with community organizations to create meaningful impact. Whether it’s lending a hand at food drives, partnering with local businesses, or sponsoring local festivals, we believe in showing up for our community in real, tangible ways. These efforts not only strengthen our connection with the people around us but also reflect our shared commitment to building a more supportive and inclusive environment for all.”
Illicit also works closely with Southeast Enterprises, an organization that supports adults with disabilities by providing employment opportunities. “They still come once a week and help us keep the place clean,” Diltz said. “We have even hired one person full time. It took a lot of logistical work to make that happen, but it’s a really cool program.”
These efforts complement the brand’s more visible advocacy work with partners like Dante West and the Last Prisoner Project. Staff are encouraged to participate in letter-writing campaigns to incarcerated individuals and engage in local support for clemency and reintegration efforts.
“Dante really grabs that by the reins and we follow his lead,” Diltz said. “When we bring state reps or senators into our facility, it’s a powerful moment when we can share someone’s case and ask them to take a second look. That one-on-one conversation can change everything.”
A commitment to consistency
While some cannabis companies have struggled to maintain early promises of community investment, Diltz said Illicit has remained consistent by design. “We’ve been doing this from day one,” he said. “This isn’t about checking boxes on an application. It’s about doing what’s right whether anyone sees it or not.”
That mindset is backed by action. From direct support for employees facing personal hardships to ambitions of launching a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on criminal justice reform, the company continues to build infrastructure around its values. “We’ve talked about trying to bring this community spirit statewide,” Diltz said. “If someone can help organize it, I have no doubt the industry would love to participate.”
For Diltz, success isn’t measured solely by the number of events or the size of donations. “I’d love to see 100% participation,” he said. “Just one event a year from everyone on staff, that’d be a huge win.”
And as Illicit expands into new states, Diltz is adamant that the company’s community focus will travel with it. “How cool is it to be able to create jobs, opportunities, and community wherever we go? That’s how we grow the right way.”
At its core, Illicit’s approach to corporate responsibility is simple. “Just be a good person,” Diltz said. “Whether people see it or not, whether people say otherwise or not, just do the right thing, and life works out.”
Brandon Dunn contributed to this article
