LIGHT UP!
According to a NY Times article about black/white racial disparity in nyc marijuana arrest, they report that 89% of the 4,000 arrests made in nyc for marijuana possession were black or Hispanic.
Given the recent tide of states passing decriminalization laws of marijuana, we have seen a spike in the growth of the cannabis industry. Unfortunately, that growth has mainly benefited white-owned cannabis business owners, while minorities remain incarcerated for the same business practice. Minorities also suffer in the process of of becoming legitimate cannabis entrepreneurs, through encountering unforeseen hurdles of opening store fronts with delayed approval of paperwork, access to financial consultation, commercial promotion and loan approvals.
So, in the spirit of celebrating our community, here are a few advocates and businesses to support this 4/20!!!
SHANITA PENNY IS A CANNABIS ACTIVIST AND FOUNDER OF BUDDING SOLUTIONS, A BOUTIQUE CONSULTING FIRM FOR CANNABIS BUSINESSES. HER FIERCE ACTIVISM HAS LED HER TO LOBBY ON CAPITOL HILL FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.
BLUNTS + MOORE is a black-owned dispensary in Oakland to be the first dispensary under oakland’s cannabis equity program. Both Alphonso blunt and Brittany Moore opened up the dispensary in December of 2018 so go show them some love!
Ryan Robles is the president and ceo of hotline agency, a queer-owned Business that specializes on PR and creative services of cannabis, lifestyle, and spirits clients. They develop awareness campaigns that focus on the communities that matter the most to their clients. With offices in LA and Brooklyn they’ve got both coast covered!
Nidhi lucky Handa is a cannabis activist and founder of Leune the cannabis brand that offers vapes and pre-roll varieties. She aimed to create a brand that skirted away from being over masculine while also not falling under the super wellness oriented type. Her products are infused with natural, botanical terps along with an organic growing process.
Cage free cannabis is an LA based organization that focuses on repairing the harm inflicted by the war on drugs through efforts such as expungement week. They offer legal assistance to those looking to remove drug related convictions from their records. The organization also provides consulting to brands in order to develop and execute plans to become more sustainable, diverse and engaged with their communities.
Ian Colon is one of the co-founders of Calexo, a low dose THC infused beverage based in LA. They currently offer two flavors: citrus rose and cucumber citron with each drink containing 10 mg of THC.
Whitney Beatty is the founder of Apothecarry, a purveyor of luxury herb accouterments for the connoisseur. These incredibly stylish accouterments are designed to meet the needs of the discerning smoker. The line includes a travel collection, an OG collection, grinders, humidity jars, and accessories.
support these great people doing great work and stay cozy y’all !
