In business, you need vision. In the case of Benevolent Bakery (@bakedbybenevolent on IG) and its founder, Wesley Holloway, you also need taste.
Based in Oklahoma, Benevolent Bakery has turned cannabis-infused boxed brownie and cake mixes into a nationwide hit, powered by hemp-derived THC. No fuss, no mess, no cannabutter experiments gone wrong — just add water for brownies, or eggs, oil, and water for cake. For the holidays, there’s even a hot cocoa mix that only needs warm water or milk.
Their products can be found online and in dispensaries throughout Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Montana, and New York, but this brand isn’t just about desserts with a twist and a geographic reach. It’s also about giving back: A portion of every sale supports local nonprofits, with current donations going to the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance.
Holloway is no stranger to building from scratch. In 2019, he entered the cannabis industry with a partner. Together, they launched a distribution startup, then expanded into manufacturing, extraction, and fulfillment. Within three years, they were pulling in over $10 million annually. But by 2022, the Oklahoma market collapsed — and they lost everything.
Instead of walking away, Holloway started again. Out of that collapse came Benevolent Bakery, a venture built from the ground up.
Holloway graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2013, where he played college football, and earned his MBA from Southern Nazarene University in 2016. Today, his business brings people together — around ovens, tables, and community causes. Here’s what he had to say about why he chose baking, why cannabis, and what Benevolent Bakery means.
Benevolent Bakery photos
AmNews: What drew you to baking, and why did it feel like the right fit for your journey?
Wesley Holloway (WH): My journey started with a background in science and business, but my passion has always been about building things that bring people together. Baking was a natural choice because it’s universal and holds significant industry nostalgia — it connects families, cultures, and generations.
Especially around the holidays, the kitchen is where memories are made. Everyone remembers that first brownie out of the oven, that birthday cake, or sitting around the table with family. I wanted to honor that nostalgia, but also reimagine it for today. With Benevolent Bakery, we’ve taken something timeless — baking — and added a modern twist by pairing it with cannabis in a safe, consistent, and approachable way. It’s about creating joy, sparking conversation, and giving people a reason to gather.
AmNews: Why should people choose Benevolent Bakery mixes over other products on the market?
WH: The top reason people should use Benevolent Bakery products is that they make it simple to share moments that matter. Our mixes are foolproof — no mess, no guess, just yes. You don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to whip up brownie mix or cake mix that tastes amazing and delivers a consistent experience every time.
But beyond the ease and flavor, each box serves a purpose. Benevolent is a Black-owned business built on the idea that we rise by lifting others. A portion of every sale goes back to local nonprofits, so when you bake with us during the holidays, you’re not just bringing dessert; you’re bringing impact. It’s dessert with meaning: delicious, reliable, and rooted in community.
AmNews: How can people get their hands on your products?
WH: Right now, you can order directly online at Shopbenevolentbakery.com, which makes it easy to stock up in time for the holidays or any other occasion. We’re also in retail stores [in] states including Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Montana, and New York, and we’ll hopefully be entering new markets in the near future.
In New York City, Benevolent Bakery products are available at Terp Bros in Astoria (36-10 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, NY 11105), the city’s first licensed dispensary, where customers can find their brownie and cake mixes both in-store and online. They’re also carried by Cannabis Realm of New York, including its White Plains location, which stocks the popular Double Chocolate Brownie Mix.