Diversity in Cannabis: Building a career in the cannabis industry

A purpose-driven, curious blend of design, advocacy, and gardening, Miriam Aristy-Farer was born in Washington Heights and raised in Queens. Her family returned to their native Dominican Republic when she was 17, where she attended for three years at The Parsons School of Design, Altos de Chavon campus. Returning to NYC in the early 90s, she furthered her studies in communication design at Parsons. Out of college, her professional life began, designing for the music industry and quickly moving into the cosmetics industry.

After 15 years as a successful art director in the cosmetics industry in NYC, she took a leave from corporate beauty in 2009 and launched Fristys, a branding collective with a mission of giving back. She focused her volunteer efforts on public education equity in Northern Manhattan and was appointed by the Manhattan Borough President to the Community Education Council for District 6, where she served as president representing 24 elementary schools, both in the city and state, on all policy items.

Miriam became well-versed in navigating government, city policy, and urban gardening while working with the local school districts on equity and green initiatives. In the process, she fell in love with plants, and alongside family in Colorado, a curiosity about cannabis began.

That newfound love of plants helped her to launch Herbas, plant-based body care, in 2016. Miriam continues to sit on CB9, on the youth education committee & currently co-chairs the cannabis task force. She has served on the board of directors at Riverstone Senior Center in Washington Heights. Miriam serves as vice president of NYSER (New Yorkers for Students Educational Rights) while working and growing Herbas®*. She is one of 266 small brands and growers in the NYS Office of cannabis management's first cohort on compliance and mentoring training.