DaySavers Higher Potential Scholarship
DaySavers Higher Potential Scholarship Coalition Rolls Out More Than 200 Awards Worth Over $25K In Cannabis Scholarships To Current And Aspiring Industry Professionals
Backed By 25 Industry Sponsors, The DaySavers Higher Potential Scholarship Is Empowering the Next Generation of Cannabis Industry Leaders
Seattle, October 15, 2025 - DaySavers, the smoking accessories brand from Custom Cones USA and the most innovative and transparent smoking accessories company in the industry, is proud to announce the first class of winners of the Higher Potential Scholarship — a first-of-its-kind initiative to help forge the next generation of cannabis business leaders.
More than 200 awards with a total value of over $25,000 were handed out to deserving, passionate students and professionals from around the country, including mentorships, industry access, financial assistance and tuition-free education and training, and one $1,420 cash scholarship awarded to one outstanding applicant.
The Higher Potential Scholarship Coalition includes 25 businesses and organizations — ranging from cultivators and creators to educators, advocates, policymakers, scientists, researchers, directors, founders and executives. Together, they’re offering invaluable insights and awards, with more than half increasing their initial contributions to ensure every candidate received the developmental resources they deserve.
The initiative is part of DaySavers’ broader mission to advance cannabis education, equity and industry innovation.
“These awards will help provide potentially life-altering access to education about one of the fastest-growing and most exciting industries in the country, impacting both the lives of the students and the business of cannabis in general,” said James Valentine, DaySavers Communications & Content Marketing Manager and Scholarship Administrator. “This is an investment in people and in the future of the industry.”
Award recipients come from 30 different states, with every applicant receiving resources to advance their industry dreams. Winners were selected based on their application and personal essay detailing their background, interests, passion and journey in the cannabis space. Location was also considered for region-specific prizes.
The $1,420 Cash Scholarship was awarded by DaySavers to Talia Romero
Other Top Prize Winners Include
- Hannah Eko, Alexis Pressley and Marlee Thompson were awarded tuition-free seats to the Ganjier Product Specialist program;
- Kari Boiter and Sonya Kachinski were awarded a media package, consulting services and mentorship from Cannabis & Tech Today;
- Katherine Halle and Carrie Miskill were awarded mentorships with scientists at the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy;
- Jackson Rund was awarded an entrepreneurial advisement from The Mycelia Group;
- Lauren Bratcher was awarded tickets to MJBizCon;
- Alexandra Arnett was awarded a mentorship and media package from Marijuana Venture magazine;
- Michelle McDonald was awarded a mentorship with the Cannabis Ombudsman for the State of Connecticut;
- Delaney Borrelli and Jamell Butler were awarded memberships to Women Employed in Cannabis; and
- Michael Miller was awarded a tuition-free seat to SUNY Niagara cannabis courses.
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- Aaron C.
- Ac C.
- Adele G.
- Alex T.
- Alexandra A.
- Alexis P.
- Angelina S.
- Anita R.
- Antionette P.
- Ashley C.
- Ayanna L.
- Brad S.
- Brian B.
- Brian S.
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- Brigitte K.
- Brittany N.
- Bruce B.
- Carrie M.
- Casaleen B.
- Cheasleauen D.
- Chiemeka E.
- Christian K.
- Christine G.
- Daniel F.
- David L.
- Dawn S.
- De'Andrea C.
- Delaney B.
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- Devonere A.
- Dylan T.
- Fahad A.
- Freweyni A.
- Germaine D.
- Hannah E.
- Henry V.
- Jackson R.
- Jamell B.
- Jenn D.
- Jennifer J.
- Jessica H.
- Jessica V.
- Jesus L.
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- John A.
- Jonathan W.
- Joseph F.
- Kai H.
- Kameko O.
- Kari B.
- Katherine H.
- Kayla F.
- Kendrra T.
- Kristina F.
- Krystal R.
- Kyle C.
- Kyle W.
- Laura C.
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- Lauren B.
- Lois M.
- Lucas M.
- Marlee T.
- Marquis J.
- Marshawn W.
- Marvis B.
- Matthew M.
- Michael H.
- Michael M.
- Michele W.
- Michelle M.
- Panagiotis K.
- Patrice C.
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- Rheanna K.
- Robert B.
- Rosemary P.
- Sara S.
- Scott P.
- Sherita C.
- Sonya K.
- Steven C.
- Suzie T.
- Talia R.
- Terrah L.
- Terry H.
- Vondrick B.
- Zachary L.
- Zack W.
Awards & Opportunities
3 tuition-free seats to the Ganjier Product Specialist program from Principal Scholarship Advisor Ganjier and Co-Founder & Managing Director Derek Gilman
10 Scholarships to SUNY Niagara Horticulture Cannabis Courses, and 5 tickets to SUNY Cannabis Conference, organized by Co-Coordinator of Horticulture Melissa Moore.
$1,420 Cash Scholarship
One journalistic mentorship, including full page ads in Fall & Spring issues, press releases and editorial coverage. And two tickets to each 2025 and 2026 Interchange show.
Five tickets to IgniteIt Market Spotlight 2025 and 2026 shows. (21 & over)
25+ Tuition-free seats to courses with tool-kit provided from Founder and Scholarship Advisor Kate Avruch
10+ mentorships from the first and only Cannabis Ombudsman in the U.S., from Connecticut, Erin Kirk, Esq.
Consulting services, internships, tickets to partner organization events & subscriptions for 2 from Cannabis & Tech Today
Two tickets to 2025 and 2026 NECANN shows
Offering 2 complimentary Individual or Business Memberships with Women Employed in Cannabis, limited to women-identifying applicants
1:1 Mentorships from CEO Harrison Bard and COO Fredrik Rading, founders of Custom Cones USA
4+ Winners to receive passes to 2025 MJBizCon. (21 & over)
A 1:1 entrepreneurial advisement with The Mycelia Group Founder & CEO Jessica Ferranti
Two 1:1 mentorship sessions with Dr. Miyabe Shields or Dr. Riley Kirk, Founders of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy and serving as our Scholarship Scientific Advisors
5 Tuition-free seats per state (available in 20 states) to the Responsible Vendor Training program or Workforce Development Program of your choice
4 pairs of tickets to NECANN - NJ, Champs - TX, Champs - FL, and CannaCon - MN
Three 6-month memberships to Sage Advice from Founder Elizabeth Sage
8 tuition-free seats to the Veterinary Cannabis Society Cannabis Education Course
5 pairs of tickets to 2025 and 2026 CannaCon Shows
Multiple consulting & mentorship sessions with CEO and Host of The Canna Boss Babes podcast, Ishqa Hillman
Offering a complimentary modern cannabis website package with a supporting website consultation session
Two 1:1 sex and cannabis mentorship sessions with Ashley Manta, Founder of CannaSexual
Two 1:1 cannabis tourism mentorship sessions with Founder & CEO of Camp Laughing Grass, Trinity Madison
Two tickets to the 2026 Washington Cannabis Summit (21+)
A media package featuring coverage and promotion as well as event access and experiences with The Legacy Project.
Eligibility Requirements
- The Higher Potential Scholarship is open to individuals 18 years of age or older (21+ for events) who reside in the United States.
- Individuals, students, professionals, and those with career aspirations in cannabis at various stages of development are encouraged to apply.
- The cash prize winner must either be enrolled in or have secured admission to a cannabis education program, or be employed in the cannabis industry.
- While resources and opportunities are primarily accessible nationwide, proximity will factor into awards with on-site events.
- The odds of winning depend on the quality of submission and number of eligible entries received.
How to Apply
2025 Application Sumissions Have Closed
The Higher Potential Scholarship begins on July 16th, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. PST. Complete the simple Higher Potential Scholarship application, accompanying essay and scholarship-specific requirements by 11:59 p.m. PST on September 1st, 2025, with select awards carrying an August application deadline.
Compose a personal essay under 500 words detailing your background and interests, passions, aspirations, and journey in the cannabis space. Essay submissions should be unique to this opportunity, be suitable for general audiences and free of offensive or defamatory content.
Then simply submit your scholarship application through our online form by September 1st. Select event and educational opportunities require an earlier August application submission, see award opportunities for specific deadlines. Award distribution will begin September 22nd, with public scholarship announcements following on October 15th.
