Dreka Gates, entrepreneur and wife of rapper Kevin Gates, is on a mission to transform the wellness and cannabis industries. “Imagine if cannabis was never prohibited,” she proclaims. “It would be a trillion-dollar industry that was ours.” Her statement reflects the historical and social effects of cannabis prohibition and its disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Despite this, Dreka is making significant inroads, driven by a deep personal connection to plant medicine.
Dreka’s relationship with cannabis began in her teens. Curiosity led her to overcome her initial paranoia and anxiety to explore cannabis. Dreka eventually found relaxation and mental clarity essential in her wellness routine. Today, Dreka not only uses cannabis to manage anxiety but also incorporates microdosing with psychedelic mushrooms and other functional fungi into her daily regimen.
Passionate to expand her knowledge about cannabis and credibly share its many benefits with others, in 2016, Dreka took a deep dive into the industry by enrolling at Oaksterdam University. Her studies covered everything from cultivation to commerce, enabling her in 2021 to be offered a job at a Michigan-based cannabis company where she excelled in marketing, research, and development. This role paved the way for her own venture, Love’s Harvest, based in Mississippi.
Love’s Harvest aims to educate and destigmatize cannabis use, especially in the conservative regions of the Bible Belt. At Love’s Harvest, Dreka aims to create a sanctuary where people can learn about the benefits of cannabis in a supportive environment. She wants visitors to feel transported to a different place, reminiscent of Tulum, Mexico, where her healing journey began. In addition, Dreka is currently developing a line of wellness products that combine cannabis with other beneficial herbs and plants, including topicals, pills, and edibles designed to make medication both effective and enjoyable.
Dreka’s vision extends beyond product development, however. She foresees a future where wellness and cannabis converge seamlessly under her existing Dreka Wellness brand. This integration is critical for Dreka to realize her plans to host retreats and pop-up events that blend wellness practices with cannabis education. These holistic experiences will address mental, physical, and spiritual health and feature activities like yoga, meditation, and educational workshops on cannabis and other plant medicines.
Dreka’s dedication to community empowerment is evident in her work with the Breadwinners Association. This venture was initially co-founded with her husband as a record label but has since expanded into lifestyle branding. Furthermore, Dreka’s commitment to empowerment extends to other women, and she encourages them to explore their passions in the cannabis industry. She emphasizes the importance of creating their own spaces to impact others significantly. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Dreka’s path has been marked by a relentless pursuit of her vision despite overcoming numerous challenges.
As cannabis rescheduling becomes more likely, Dreka remains optimistic about the future of the cannabis and wellness industries. She believes that as more people become educated about the benefits of cannabis, societal perceptions will continue to shift. This will lead to greater acceptance and integration of the plant into mainstream wellness practices. Dreka concludes, “I’m just here having fun and living out my purpose,” demonstrating the joy and fulfillment she finds in her transformative work.
