Black History Month: Silly Nice Founders Lamar Thomas & Shane Breen Spotlight

Maryjane Cannabis is proud to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting LeVar Thomas, the co-founder of Silly Nice (alongside his partner, Shane Breen), a Black- and Veteran-owned cannabis brand based in Harlem, New York. Silly Nice is a small-batch, family-driven, and independent brand that crafts terpene-rich flower and concentrates with care, intention, and sustainability in every step, from locally grown New York cannabis to recycled and hemp-based packaging.

With a focus on quality, honesty, and cultural connection, Silly Nice brings generations of lived experience and wellness into every product. We’re thrilled to carry this local New York cannabis brand on our shelves at Maryjane Cannabis, giving our customers access to thoughtfully crafted, hand-made cannabis that reflects the heart of the city.

1. What inspired you to enter the cannabis industry, and why was ownership important to you?

Cannabis has been part of my life for a long time, first on a personal level and later as something I saw helping people I care about. Over the years, I learned how much intention, care, and consistency matter when it comes to cannabis. Quality makes a real difference in how people feel and how they use it.

Ownership was important because I wanted responsibility for the full process. That includes how products are made, how they are tested, and how they are presented to customers. I did not want to be removed from those decisions. Building Silly Nice meant being directly accountable for the standards we set and the experience we deliver.

2. As a Black owner, what change or impact do you hope to make within the cannabis industry or your community?

I want to contribute to an industry where Black ownership is normal and respected, not treated as an exception or a talking point. The focus should always be on the work, the product, and how a brand operates day to day.

For me, the impact comes from showing that a Black-owned company can compete at a high level by prioritizing quality, transparency, and long-term thinking. If Silly Nice helps open doors or shift expectations around what sustainable ownership looks like, that matters to me.

3. What has been your biggest success so far as a cannabis owner?

The biggest success has been earning trust from customers and partners.

In a short period of time, Silly Nice was recognized as one of the Top 150 cannabis brands in New York out of hundreds of licensed brands. More importantly, people come back to our products and ask for them by name. Dispensaries reorder because the products move. That tells me we are doing something right and staying consistent with our values.

4. What advice would you give to other Black entrepreneurs considering cannabis ownership?

Take your time and be honest about why you want to be in this industry. Cannabis ownership requires patience, discipline, and a clear understanding of what you are building.

Do not rush decisions just to get to market faster. Learn the regulations, understand the supply chain, and protect your ability to make decisions about your own brand. Ownership only has value if you maintain control over your standards and direction.

Focus on building something solid and sustainable. Short-term wins fade quickly. Quality and consistency last.

Discover New York’s Best Cannabis Brands at Maryjane Cannabis

Supporting local brands like Silly Nice allows us to continue amplifying the voices of our community and showcasing cannabis innovators worth exploring. Our New York City dispensary menu is carefully curated with brands like LeVar’s and more.

Order online for quick pickup and easy delivery options, or visit us in-store on the Upper East Side. Experience Silly Nice and other mission-driven brands from Maryjane Cannabis dispensary to discover high-quality, local New York cannabis today.