Anti-Racism & Responsibility Within the Cannabis Community
Black. Lives. Matter.
I hope we will someday live in a world where everyone is treated with love and respect to the fullest extent. But the reality is that we don’t live in that world... far from it. Black people have suffered far too long as a result of white supremacy and errant systems that maintain inequity of power and opportunity. It’s time for change. This reality has been recently highlighted by the continued murder of black Americans including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Manual Ellis (killed in my hometown of Tacoma in March 2020) and so, so many others.
To all of my black readers, friends, and followers, I support you.
To all of my white readers, friends, and followers... we've got some important learning (and re-learning) to do. We need to do our part to dismantle white supremacy with intention and, most importantly, with action. It’s time to get vocal and support our fellow black Americans (and all POC). It’s also time to get smart to what it means to live in accordance with anti-racism. The work starts within ourselves and then can be carried into our greater communities.
Anti-Racist Resources
For those who need support along their anti-racist journey, I have included a few resources below that I have found to be insightful and humbling. I’ll continue to add new content as I come across it. This is an on-going journey, not a “one and done” education opportunity. This is lifelong work.
How to Be an Anti-Racist, by Ibram Kendi (you can purchase book/audio here)
In this book, Kendi shares his own personal anti-racist growth journey and walks readers through steps they need to take to accept their own internal racism and then work to combat it. He writes about how denial is the heartbeat of racism. Additionally, he explains how being an anti-racist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-critique, and regular self-examination.
So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo (you can purchase book/audio here)
In this book, Oluo writes about the truth of what it means to confront racial conversations. She uncovers the often unspoken impacts of racism and what acknowledging racism really means, even for the most “liberal” or “progressive” of white Americans. Oluo is from Seattle and lives in Seattle, and her work highlights how racism is ever-apparent even in the Emerald City, which is often painted as a liberal and “woke” city. It’s telling about the fact that policy reform is needed all across this country.
Me and White Sepremacy, by Layla Saad (you can purchase book/audio here)
In this insightful book, Saad uncovers the “how” behind doing anti-racist work... and what this means for white people as they go about navigating their day-to-day lives. In what was originally designed as a social media challenge, Saad lays out substantive ways in which white people can (and must) explore the deepest anti-racist work. Saad suggests a focus on journaling throughout this journey, which truly gives readers the opportunity to self-connect and reflect on the deeper impacts of systemic racism and white supremacy. Highly recommend this read, paired with some means for adequate self-care (because the work will be draining). As white people review this work and understand the gravity of Saad’s message, it’s important that we understand that engaging with this discomfort doesn’t even compare to the discomfort that typically accompanies the overall black American experience.
Let me know if you have gained anything from these authors or if you have encountered other anti-racist resources that you suggest I add to this list.
Additional Responsibility Within the Cannabis Community
To all my canna folks out there - we have an additional responsibility to dismantle the racial prejudice that exists in our systems... because it exists within the cannabis space, as well. American cannabis policy has deeply racist roots and racial inequality continues to exist within the cannabis industry.
The failed war on drugs has had a substantial negative impact on people of color, particularly black Americans. Black people are still 4x more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white people. And racial prejudice results in many black candidates getting passed over in the job application process.
Cannabis legalization has brought so many of us the ability to naturally heal our minds and bodies, literally changing lives for the better. But we cannot forget the ugly history of cannabis policy in this country. It’s a reality we cannot ignore when we spark up.
So, what do we do?
I have thought about this a lot over the last week and have gained insight from the black leaders speaking truth in the streets.
First of all, I want to encourage awareness. When we consume cannabis to harness its healing powers, I would ask that we all hold an awareness that black Americans have been victimized time and time again for the very same thing.
Secondly, for those of us with spheres of influence in the cannabis industry, it’s time to use our voices to drive change. However we can, we need to work together to support black people who seek access to business licenses and capital. Let’s also do what we can to reduce barriers to black people who want a seat at the table when it comes to policy reform. Black people, continue to tell your white colleagues the specific areas in which you need support; white people, listen.
I believe cannabis has the potential to foster peace, connectivity, and community. So shouldn’t the cannabis industry stand for these principles, as well? It’s time to clean up our house.
Thank you to Leafly for putting our greater responsibility into words in this insightful article: Cannabis and America’s uprising: It’s time to answer the knock at the door