Meet Carrie Worsk

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carrie Worsk. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Carrie, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

When I was 15, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. I watched him endure chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries, facing not only intense physical pain but also the emotional toll of his illness. Just six months later, he passed away from treatment complications. The following year, as a high school sophomore, I was prescribed opioids for my recurring migraines. The medication left me too drowsy to drive or attend morning classes, making it clear that this wasn’t a sustainable solution.

After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles for college, where medical cannabis was legal—unlike in my home state of Pennsylvania. One morning, after taking my usual prescription and struggling through class in a fog, a classmate introduced me to cannabis. Later that day, I tried it instead of my second dose—and the relief I felt was not only physical, but eye-opening. I became deeply curious about the plant: its benefits, side effects, and potential risks. The more I learned, the more I saw it as a safer, more natural alternative—one that could help not just me, but many others.

Eventually, I got my medical card and began exploring dispensaries, learning about the wide range of products and dosing options. That led to a job as a budtender, where I helped patients find relief and often heard how much our recommendations improved their quality of life. For the first time, I felt a deep sense of purpose—like I was honoring my father’s memory by helping others utilize something that I wish he’d had access to during his battle.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Carrie Worsk, co-founder of Black Bear Dispensary, and I’ve been working in the cannabis industry for over 13 years—across everything from production and distribution to wholesale and retail. At Black Bear, I focus on the customer experience, community education, and all things branding, marketing and social media. I love taking complex cannabis science and translating it into something people can actually connect with—whether it’s through one-on-one conversations in our stores or through our digital platforms. My husband and I met while working in the Pennsylvania medical cannabis market, and Black Bear is not only our business—it’s our version of the American Dream. We wanted to take everything we’ve learned from our time in the industry and build something that not only delivers the highest-quality products available, but also truly serves our community. Our goal has always been to create a space where people feel welcome, supported, and treated like friends and family.

What excites me most is the opportunity to truly help people. I’ve seen firsthand how plant medicine can change lives, and being part of someone’s wellness journey—especially when they’re looking for alternatives to pharmaceuticals—is incredibly rewarding. It’s also been important to me to build a brand that uplifts others: we work with small farmers, support veteran-led causes, and try to create a workplace culture that values compassion and curiosity.

Since we opened our first store in Grove City in 2021, we’ve grown to 5 locations in Pennsylvania—including 2 franchised locations, one of which is our newest storefront in Bridgeville. And we’re not slowing down. Our products are Farm Bill Compliant, meaning they are hemp derived so you do not need a medical card to purchase them in Pennsylvania, and they can be shipped to other states where they are legal. Right now, I’m focused on expanding the Black Bear brand in ways that make hemp wellness more accessible, less intimidating, and more community-driven. Whether it’s through new product launches, educational content, or future locations, my mission is to keep showing people that this plant can do so much more than most of us were taught to believe.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I believe there are three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey and the success of Black Bear Dispensary:

1. Being a natural teacher.
Teaching has always been one of my strongest skills and greatest passions. My background is in vocal performance and vocal teacher training—I like to joke that I’m a “retired rock star.” After graduating from college in California, I worked as a vocal instructor, and I’ve always felt at home in front of a crowd. That experience gave me the confidence and comfort to educate others in a clear, engaging way—something that has translated seamlessly into the cannabis space. Whether it’s training staff, hosting community events, or creating educational content, I love being able to help people truly understand the products we offer and how they can support their wellness goals.

2. A desire to serve others.
At the core of everything I do is a genuine passion for helping people. I’ve always gravitated toward roles that allow me to make a positive impact on someone’s life, and working in cannabis has given me the chance to do that every single day. Whether it’s helping someone find relief from chronic pain or just creating a warm, welcoming experience in our stores, that desire to serve is what fuels me and keeps me going.

3. Creativity.
One of the most fun and fulfilling parts of building Black Bear with my husband has been seeing how our different strengths balance each other out. He’s the business strategist—focused on numbers, growth, and operations. I’m the creative force—I bring the vision, the feeling, and the soul of the brand to life. From our billboard messaging and product names to our radio ads and marketing materials, I love finding ways to emotionally connect with our community and make our business feel approachable, memorable, and unique.

My advice:
Find the part of what you do that lights you up—and protect it. There will always be tasks that aren’t as exciting or glamorous, but don’t lose touch with the passion that first drew you in. Let that be your anchor. And above all else—never stop learning. Stay curious, stay humble, and always work toward being the best at your craft. There’s always more to discover, and that’s what keeps the journey meaningful.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

We’re always open to collaboration and love connecting with other business owners and organizations who share our passion for helping people live better through more natural remedies. Some of our most successful partnerships have been with local breweries, restaurants, festivals, and events that attract audiences who resonate with our mission. We’re especially excited to work with brands that align with our values—community-focused, wellness-minded, and eager to challenge outdated stigmas around cannabis.

We’re also deeply committed to expanding education and awareness around the benefits of cannabis and hemp-based products. We’re actively seeking opportunities to connect with groups and organizations that serve veterans, individuals struggling with chronic pain or addiction, people managing stress, anxiety, or mental health challenges, and anyone seeking alternative wellness solutions.

Whether it’s through community events, educational workshops, cross-promotional campaigns, or co-branded products, we want to collaborate in ways that feel authentic, mutually beneficial, and impactful. Our products are legal to ship to many states across the U.S., so we’re also able to support customers in areas where access to medical or recreational cannabis may still be limited.

If you’re interested in partnering with us—or even just exploring what a collaboration might look like—I’d love to connect. You can reach me at carrie@blackbeardispensary.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackbeardispensary.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackbeardispensary/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-worsk-5a0121105/