Park Ridge, IL –
Socíale is the first cannabis dispensary in the world to be owned by an Indian-American woman and to be blessed by a Hindu-priest. Today, Socíale is proud to announce its grand opening on Thursday, September 7th, at 10 AM in the heart of Chicago’s northwest suburbs located at 1036 W Higgins Rd, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
Throughout Thursday, September 7th, to Sunday, September 10th, Socíale will host a grand opening celebration with exclusive deals, merchandise giveaways, and complimentary snacks and beverages. Founded by Annu Khot, Socíale is an employee-owned and minority-owned social equity cannabis dispensary, and is the first dispensary to open in the city of Park Ridge.
“The opening of Socíale’s first dispensary is a true milestone. We are proud to be a social equity dispensary committed to creating long-term wealth for our employees, ending cannabis injustices, and sharing the value of cannabis as a natural remedy,” said Khot.
Situated as Park Ridge’s inaugural cannabis dispensary, Socíale benefits from its proximity to O’Hare Airport, Rivers Casino, Allstate Arena, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, a diverse array of restaurants, and numerous hotels. Its convenient location on Higgins Rd, just opposite Cumberland’s CTA stop, ensures easy access for local residents and travelers alike.
In addition, Socíale is deeply committed to cannabis advocacy. Though 2022 U.S. federal reforms freed thousands of people imprisoned for cannabis crimes, thousands more remain incarcerated for extremely minor infractions–most of them Black and Brown. This is deeply unjust, and the company has partnered with local and national cannabis organizations to advocate and end cannabis inequities at every turn. These organizations include Bipocann, Parabola Center, Blaze Responsibly, and Cannabis Equity IL Coalition.
To learn more about Socíale, please visit SocialeDispensary.com.
About Socíale
Socíale, an employee-owned and minority-owned social equity cannabis dispensary based in Illinois, is committed to promoting equity and diversity in the industry, and to investing in communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. Socíale’s team includes experienced business leaders, legal experts, and cannabis industry veterans who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. They are passionate about the potential of cannabis to improve people’s lives and are committed to shaping the industry in a responsible and sustainable way. As the legal cannabis industry continues to evolve, Socíale is poised to be a major player, driving innovation and growth while staying true to its core values of social responsibility and equity. The company’s commitment to these values sets it apart from other players in the industry and positions it for long-term success.
About Annu Khot
Annu Khot is an award-winning Founder, CEO, and Innovator who is transforming the cannabis industry to foster greater inclusivity and benefits for all. Driven by a commitment to acknowledge, value, and empower every individual, Khot is on a mission to bridge societal divides, create economic opportunities for underrepresented communities, and enhance well-being.
In 2019, she founded Socíale, an employee-owned business exclusively offering products from female and minority-owned operations. Socíale embodies her vision of providing ownership opportunities to those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. Her leadership has earned her an invitation to the exclusive Forbes Business Council. Subsequently, she was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Illinois for 2023 and received the distinguished Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Award.
Khot brings over 20 years of experience driving opportunity creation through innovation. With two decades of leadership as a Managing Partner for successful real estate and technology ventures, Khot has always done things differently. Under her leadership, ownership opportunities were created for the marginalized, and potential was unlocked for the under-resourced.
Khot’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Laws degree in Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law from the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata. Additionally, she holds a Master’s Certificate from the Cannabis Training University, establishing a foundation for her industry leadership.
