Jasmine Johnson, CEO of GŪD Essence has been recognized as a 2025 honoree in South Florida Business & Wealth's Apogee Awards in the CEO Women Owned Business category. Johnson accepted the honor at the Nov. 19 awards luncheon at The Venue in Fort Lauderdale.
The Apogee Awards celebrate distinguished C-suite leaders across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties who demonstrate outstanding leadership, industry influence and community commitment.
Johnson has spent the past five years building GŪD Essence, a vertically integrated cannabis company rooted in cultural impact, research partnerships and economic inclusion. Under her leadership, the company is launching dispensaries across Florida, constructing a state-of-the-art cultivation and processing campus, and creating a workforce development pipeline aimed at generating more than 5,000 jobs. GŪD Essence is one of the few cannabis companies in Florida positioned to operate as a licensed medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC).
© GŪD Essence
She manages more than $200 million in assets, partnerships with university research programs, and has earned a reputation as a creative, community-driven entrepreneur in the cannabis space.
Johnson has more than 15 years of experience spanning cannabis, real estate, hospitality and special events. A Miami native, she launched her first business at 18 years old. She went on to make her mark in the hospitality world by co-founding Crescendo Jazz & Blues Lounge, a South Florida cultural entity that hosted 300+ high-impact events, from political town halls to iconic celebrations.
"I am honored to be named by South Florida Business & Wealth as a CEO Women Owned Business honoree," said Johnson. "As a leader in the South Florida cannabis industry, my goal is to reclaim cannabis traditions openly and with dignity, and position GŪD Essence as a cultural hub rooted in education, trust, and care."
For more information:
GŪD Essence
https://greenessenceflorida.com
