As a product, the concept of cannabis has continued to grow and change since its discovery. Now, more Americans than ever are continuing to lobby for legalization and political progression for cannabis, altering the industry’s future again.
Marijuana use and production is becoming increasingly more accepted and mainstream, but while the cannabis industry continues to blossom, the subset of the population that is benefitting from the business is quite different from those people most impacted by drug control.
Many of the people traditionally targeted for cannabis-related crimes are still imprisoned, watching people participate in the very product that landed them in incarceration. Those who are no longer serving time for drug charges still remain barred from returning to the industry.
People initially exiled from the industry and who suffer most from the scarring stigmas imprinted upon them by the War on Drugs are finding it difficult to enter back into the cannabis market. And many of those stuck on the outside looking in are People of Color.
As the cannabis industry flourishes and many, predominantly white and predominantly male cannabis entrepreneurs are praised for their investments, products, and success, People of Color face barriers in licensing, production, manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
Shunned for marijuana use and advocacy in the past, People of Color are getting left behind, experiencing yet another racial imbalance to overcome.
The racial disparities present in the cannabis market align with those found in marijuana drug statistics.
The American Civil Liberties Union describes marijuana legalization as a racial justice issue, stating that although marijuana use is equal among Black people and White people, Black people are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession.
The Public Broadcasting Station reported on a survey investigating 400 marijuana businesses found 80 percent were owned by White men, while African-Americans and Latinos represent the majority of marijuana offenders.
The marijuana market is unequal, and as marijuana becomes more prevalent and popular, expanding both the agricultural and economic sectors, those whose lives were affected deserve a chance to be represented by and within the industry.
As the War on Drugs continues to wage, people are fighting for equality, inclusion, justice, and diversity within the cannabis industry.
One such organization pursuing equality endeavors is the National Diversity and Inclusion Cannabis Alliance (NDICA), who is attempting to permeate the cannabis industry with ethics and equality by breaking down the barriers attributed to a lack of representation of people of color and other groups most affected by the war on drugs.
NDICA strives to promote social equity among the cannabis industry by providing educational information and programming intended to teach individuals seeking employment or entrepreneurship within the industry.
Academic and informational areas include an introduction to cannabis, the war on drugs, cultivation, production, branding, transportation, distribution, security, and retail, among others.
Their social equity educational programs further cover processing, business compliance, hemp and cannabis licensing application assistance, and more.
In addition to organizational efforts for social equality are calls for change in state legislation.
Proposed (and in some cases, passed) reform aims to incorporate social equality into industrial marijuana law by requiring licensing programs that allow applicants who were unfairly impacted by the War on Drugs to be granted priority and receive reduced or waived fees.
Colorado, a pioneer in marijuana legalization, often sets the tone for progressive marijuana legislation and social equality in the cannabis industry is no exception.
In April 2021, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock signed a marijuana social equity licensing program into law, further establishing Denver’s commitment to diversity and inclusion with the Denver Marijuana Code.
This code incorporates the criteria for Denver social equality applicants set forth by the Colorado government and facilitated by the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) through their Accelerator Program. Those eligible for a Social Equity License enter into MED established partnerships and can participate in outreach activities and educational programs designed to support individuals facing entry barriers into the Colorado marijuana industry.
Other states are following suit, such as Massachusetts, another trailblazer instituting social language within legislation. Their commitment to inclusion via the Cannabis Control Commission includes a Social Equity Program and Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant Status, which both support people disproportionately affected by marijuana control efforts.
Portland, Oregon is reducing fees for marijuana businesses that employ staff previously convicted of state or federal marijuana misdemeanors or felonies.
The state of New Jersey is now offering detailed licensing applications and information templates for those looking to safely enter the industry, while private industry, experienced consultants are offering similar resources, such as a cannabis security plan, as well as knowledge, training and advice.
As the social divide forged by the War on Drugs remains deep, it is hoped that the racial disparities apparent in the industry will be recognized and that the cannabis community will continue to promote efforts for equality and bridge the gap.