Terrence White has redefined the cannabis business in DC.
The elegant boutique conveys a luxe aesthetic.
Terrence White, the founder and CEO of luxury cannabis dispensary and lifestyle brand Monko (@monkodc), understands the art of humility. “My grandparents shared a proverb that stuck with me: ‘Never let the right hand know what the left hand is going to do,’” he says, referring to the idea of avoiding worldly praise when helping those in need. White, who will open another Monko in 2025, uses social equity as one of his company’s pillars. I recently chatted with him in his boutique, lined with so much marble that it feels like the lobby of one of the high-end condos in Monko’s Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood.
Marble graces a significant part of the gorgeous space.
Your strategy is to take cannabis to the luxury level. What are some ways you’re doing this?
We’ve adopted a marketing-first approach, transitioning from Ignite Your Curiosity to Luxury With a Purpose. We target both existing and potential customers, emphasizing our work with the LGBTQ+ community, social equity initiatives and veterans. Monko is known as a safe space for everyone. We’re not just a luxury brand; we elevate every customer’s experience while uplifting the community through activism.
Please share how Monko achieves this goal in the DC community.
As the former chairman of the I-71 committee, my goal has always been to ensure everyone gets a seat at the table, particularly returned citizens and people of color. We continue to advocate for paths to legal cannabis businesses for these groups. Our Flower to the People initiative aims to help these communities create generational wealth from an industry that has historically held them down.
Monko founder Terrence White.
I love the aesthetic of your boutique.
As a real estate developer, we wanted to bring the community inside the store. Our goal was to incorporate a residential feel into a commercial setting. Mount Vernon is known for its luxury condos and apartments, so we aimed to recreate that same feeling of coming home when customers walk into Monko.
Why is apparel an important part of your brand?
Culture, earth and apparel were core elements of our vision when branding Monko. The apparel line helps us extend our wellness-focused business beyond the store. Monko Apparel creates stunning, limited-edition pieces using reclaimed fabrics. Each garment is ethically processed in Cambodia by a women-led coalition, ensuring fair wages, good working conditions and a commitment to a 40-hour work week with no weekends or sweatshop practices.
Please tell me about your plans for your next boutique.
While keeping the exact location secret, we’re excited about it. We’re currently going through the licensing process. This new location will be a stand-alone store and serve as our flagship. The design will draw inspiration from the Louis Vuitton store in Singapore. It will feature bold modern design elements and extensive use of glass.
What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
I grew up on a hog farm in eastern North Carolina, and in high school, I was a summer page for the North Carolina Assembly.
“This new location will be a stand-alone store and serve as our flagship. The design will draw inspiration from the Louis Vuitton store in Singapore.”–TERRENCE WHITE
If you could share a dinner with anyone in the world right now, who would it be?
Magic Johnson. He faced significant adversity with his HIV diagnosis and the subsequent controversy, but he’s risen above it to become one of the most successful businessmen today.
Monko’s Mt. Vernon Triangle location features exceptional design.
What is your go-to spot for a night out in DC?
Balos (balosrestaurants.com) and Cafe Milano (cafemilano.com)
What are you most looking forward to this fall?
A Night at Monko—a rooftop event celebrating our partners, friends and VIP members at Monko. I’m also looking forward to our second year of business celebration on October 20.
What would you say to your 21-year-old self?
Follow your heart and take advice from those you respect and admire.
What is your mantra?
It’s from Dr. Martin Luther King: ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BRAND; MICHAEL MCCARTHY; COURTESY OF BRAND
