VOICES OF THE CANNABIS COMMUNITY

WE REACHED OUT to dozens of members of the Cannabis industry from a diverse range

VOICES OF of backgrounds to get their candid takes on important questions regarding equality and equity in the Cannabis space. We wanted THE CANNABIS to know what equality and equity mean to the people cultivating this COMMUNITY community, what’s working, and, crucially, what needs to change for us to construct this industry in a way that benefits us all.

CINDY DE LA VEGA CEO | STIIIZY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA STIIIZY.COM “EQUITY IS BEING ESTABLISHED, What is the Cannabis industry getting right in terms of equality and equity? I believe that the equity program is one way that equity is being established, however imperfect the process may be. Not only does the Office of Cannabis facilitate HOWEVER business licenses through the program, but also helps advocate for equity partners IMPERFECT THE in challenging situations, such as with their investor partnerships. Another important PROCESS MAY BE.” piece is the work being done by grassroots organizations like the San Francisco Equity Group, which is a coalition of verified equity applicants who are also community leaders and advisors, including myself. We aim to improve and expand on the opportunity for as many equity applicants as possible, showing that the program can work, leading by example, and helping communities across the country secure ownership in the Cannabis industry. Ultimately, our goal is real ownership and sources of security for people most affected by the War on Drugs – not only themselves, but their families, communities and generations to come.

What does equality in the Cannabis industry mean to you?

It means non-whites having more than less than 1% of ownership within the space.

What is the Cannabis industry getting right in terms of equality and

equity? Honestly, not much, because we aren’t in the rooms making the decisions.

TUCKY BLUNT

FOUNDER | BLUNTS + MOORE OAKLAND, CA

BLUNTSANDMOORE.COM

MIKE ROSATI

Can you give us an example of something equitable you’ve seen happen in the Cannabis

space? Oakland creating the equity program from the ideas of Keith Stephenson and championed by Desley Brooks. “AS A RESULT OF THEIR As a result of their efforts and my work, I became the first EFFORTS AND MY WORK, I equity-owned retail brand in BECAME THE FIRST EQUITY- the world. OWNED RETAIL BRAND IN THE WORLD.”

JASON ORTIZ

CO-FOUNDER | MINORITY CANNABIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION |

HARTFORD, CT MINORITYCANNABIS.ORG “EQUALITY DOESN’T TAKE HISTORY INTO CONTEXT, AND THE HISTORY OF CANNABIS IS ONE WHERE SOME GROUPS SUFFERED LEGAL CONSEQUENCES FAR MORE THAN OTHERS.”

What does equality in the Cannabis industry

mean to you? I’m pushing for equity, which is a bit different from equality. Equality normally refers to everyone being treated the same, whereas equity is an effort to ensure those who have been held back get extra support – so that we all end up with the same ability to succeed. Equality doesn’t take history into context, and the history of Cannabis is one where some groups suffered legal consequences far more than others. People of color specifically, as well as cultivators of all colors, have been targeted for arrest, harassment, extortion, loss of their children and much more. In order to have a mutually supportive Cannabis industry, we must be pushing for equity over equality.

What is the Cannabis industry getting right in

terms of equality and equity? New states are including mandatory set asides of licenses for equity applicants at a minimum of 50% of all licenses. Places like Connecticut are having the state contribute significant funding ($50 million) in start-up capital for SEA to access. Places like Oakland are funding cooperative kitchens and using equity cohorts – groups of businesses as the foundation of how equity support is distributed. I think this model of state funding providing hard assets like buildings and equipment to groups of businesses that are mutually supportive, is the future of equity-first economics.

What needs to change about the Cannabis industry as it relates to equality/equity?

The industry must recognize the circumstances of each individual. Be open to diversifying by creating opportunities for everyone. It would be amazing to see more minority-owned companies, farms, labs, dispensaries and other ancillary businesses. Entry into the Cannabis industry via growing, processing and owning a dispensary, needs to be more feasible. Banks and other financial institutions need to be open to accepting Cannabis companies as legitimate businesses, and provide loans and merchant transactions. We would like to see more people that have been incarcerated have an opportunity to be a part of the legal Cannabis industry.

Can you give an example of something equitable you’ve seen happen in the Cannabis space?

Most states are moving forward to create change within their communities. We need to understand that the laws and regulations are created by the people. The more we unite as a people, our voices alone can be loud enough to force the politicians to create change. People do not want to fight alone due to the years of fear-mongering around the plant, but with the unity of like-minded individuals, there is a great deal of power.

SHANEL LINDSAY

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT | ARDENT LIFE, INC.

BOSTON, MASS. ARDENTCANNABIS.COM

Can you give us an example of something equitable you’ve

seen happen in the Cannabis space? Timing of access is really important. In Massachusetts, we have a three year window that is exclusive for economic empowerment and social equity delivery businesses. These exclusivity windows can help to give a more level playing field. Investment capital for equity businesses is also critical. Predatory loans are a big problem, so states that have enacted loan funds or give grants are doing the right thing to support equity entrepreneurs.

What challenges are facing the Cannabis industry in terms

of equality and equity? The tsunami of corporate forces that have entered or are attempting to influence Cannabis, both on the local and state levels, and on the national stage. These businesses are concerned about their own profitability above all else and aren’t concerned with righting the wrongs of prohibition – or even allowing full freedoms, like home grow. They even attempt to co-opt the equity conversation, gaslighting the public into thinking they stand for equity. We have seen this happen time and time again in Massachusetts, and the stakes are even higher when we consider federal legalization. It is also important for consumers to be aware and to care about the places they are spending their dollars. Creating a conscious Cannabis consumer base dedicated to supporting equity businesses will also be key.

“THESE BUSINESSES ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR OWN PROFITABILITY ABOVE ALL ELSE AND AREN’T CONCERNED WITH RIGHTING THE WRONGS OF PROHIBITION...”

D-ROC PALMER

OWNER | EXTREMETERPZ BALTIMORE, MD

EXTREMETERPZCBD.COM “THE MORE WE UNITE AS A PEOPLE, OUR VOICES ALONE CAN BE LOUD ENOUGH TO FORCE THE POLITICIANS TO CREATE CHANGE.”

LANETT AUSTIN

DIRECTOR OF TALENT MANAGEMENT & DIVERSITY | CURALEAF | NEW YORK CITY

CURALEAF.COM

What does equality in the Cannabis industry

mean to you? A healthy, inclusive, well-regulated Cannabis industry that provides for social, financial and environmental benefits shared by all. Equality in the Cannabis industry means to support equal opportunity and provisions for communities impacted by the War on Drugs, so there can be fair and just opportunity to participate in the Cannabis industry.

What needs to change about the Cannabis industry as it relates to

equality/equity? Legislation! To bring about real change in this industry, it starts with the laws that make it. Although decriminalization is a positive start, expungement of Cannabis crimes and employment for those individuals should not be negotiable. We believe individuals with low level Cannabis related offenses should not be shut out of the industry – and as a commitment to right the wrongs of prohibition – we are employing at least 10% of all our 2021 new hires from the directly impacted communities. “ALTHOUGH DECRIMINALIZATION IS A POSITIVE START, EXPUNGEMENT OF CANNABIS CRIMES AND EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS SHOULD NOT BE NEGOTIABLE.”

DAVE DELUCA

CEO & CHEMIST | BABYLON COMPANY ANCHORAGE, AK @BABYLONCOMPANY_ “THE EVOLUTION OF THE MEDICAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY IS OUTPACING THE RECREATIONAL INDUSTRY...”

What does equality in the Cannabis industry mean to you? [When] everyone is given the same opportunities and tools to succeed. Be it investors, rules and regulations enforcement, workplace environment, or personnel-workforce impartiality – all the given variables of the Cannabis industry. Everyone has a seat at the table, and those voices are heard and matter. Look at medical versus recreational. Really the only thing that is similar, is the fact that rec businesses are allowed to operate at all. The evolution of the medical Cannabis industry is outpacing the rec industry in some states, and in others, rec is now in the forefront and the medical industry faces stagnation. When we see equity with both sides of these two entities, that’s a positive step in equality and uniformity. In doing so, a collective voice is spoken. Unity between the two creates a homeostatic relationship, rather than the ‘us and them’ environment as it currently stands.

VOICES OF THE CANNABIS

COMMUNITY Continued from previous page

LORIEL ALEGRETE

CEO & CO-FOUNDER | 40 TONS LOS ANGELES, CA 40TONS.CO

EMILY EIZEN

“THE FACT THAT LESS THAN 5% OF ALL LICENSE HOLDERS ARE AFRICAN AMERICANS, AND EVEN LESS THAN THAT ARE FEMALE, IS A PROBLEM. ” “EQUITY IS THE ITEM THAT I STILL HAVE TO BEG, PLEAD AND FIGHT FOR IN TERMS OF ACCESS, INFLUENCE AND TOTAL ERASURE...”

What needs to change about the Cannabis industry as it relates to equality/equity?

The changes need to begin at the top: the states who issue the licenses, the application process, and most of all, the taxes that are associated with holding Cannabis licenses. All of this needs to incorporate people of color. The fact that less than 5% of all license holders are African Americans, and even less than that are female, is a problem. Yet a majority of the people incarcerated over this same plant are Black and brown. This is what needs to change. Nothing in life is free and I completely understand that. … But we need access to the same starting points as everyone else. “WOULD PEOPLE BUY OUR PRODUCTS IF THEY KNEW WE ARE QUEER OWNED? WOULD WE SURVIVE AS A COMPANY?”

What is the Cannabis industry getting right in terms of

equality and equity? The industry is attempting to recognize more POC within the space as the years pass. Social equity programs are designed to level out that playing field. I’d say the industry is attempting to get it right, but still has a long way to go.

MARY PRYOR What do equality and equity in the Cannabis industry mean to you? We’re still fighting for both in totality. CO-FOUNDER Equality is to have equal rights and access CANNACLUSIVE to items – health care, food, schooling – NEW YORK CITY, NY based upon the damaging ramifications CANNACLUSIVE.COM and the absurdity of racism. Equity is being able to have invested interest that evolves into tangible and recognized, not only wealth – but credit, access and ownership of said involvement – in anything relating to industries that have been built off of the backs of BIPOC, Indigenous, melanated communities. In this case, speaking as a Black woman, I can say that equality is an item that I have never, ever seen, and more than likely will never see as an individual who is melanated, because of how deep and how far we think white supremacy has gone in this country. Not only has it divided us in race, it’s divided us across gender, it’s divided us across ethnicity, it’s divided us across so many levels within our own communities – whether we’re white or not white, to where it’s just an automatic, horrible instrument of discord, dissension, hate, anger and misunderstanding. Equity is the item that I still have to beg, plead and fight for in terms of access, influence and total erasure that I have to bring up, in terms of … said items that have been built off of my likeness, my culture and my imprisonment. When we talk about Cannabis, that is that.

ROBIN ABLEDAUGHTER & CHAOS GIBBONS

CO-FOUNDERS THE FARMACEUTICALS COMPANY | SAN RAFAEL, CA

THEFARMACEUTICALSCOMPANY.COM

What challenges are facing the Cannabis community with regards

to equality/equity? As a queer women-owned company, we have certainly experienced our share of inequality in this industry. The California Cannabis industry shifted a lot after legalization – it became corporate, and for lack of a better word, more “bro-y.” Since then, we’ve struggled with tamping down our queerness and trying to hide it. Would people buy our products if they knew we are queer owned? Would we survive as a company? In the end, we just had to be unapologetically who we are. There’s nothing else to be. Part of the reason we’re able to do that is because, like all identity politics, it’s about intersection. Although we are queer, we are two white women and so we have white privilege. We know that while large Cannabis corporations (run predominantly by cis white men) are getting investments and bringing in huge profits, there are still thousands of people of color incarcerated for Cannabisrelated offenses. Black people in particular are disproportionately targeted and jailed for Cannabis-only offenses at an astounding rate.

What does equality in the Cannabis

industry mean to you? To us, equality and equity would look like white-owned Cannabis companies giving back to communities of color. We’d like everyone in the Cannabis industry with white privilege to join us in asking: How can we use our privilege to help lift up others? … We have a chance here to make things better, to create a more equitable industry and a more equitable world. And we believe firmly that by joining together, we can really make an impact.

DANIEL MONTERO

FOUNDER GW SMOKEBREAK TV HUMBOLDT, CA @GWSMOKEBREAKTV “MARIJUANA CULTURE IS IN FACT ABOUT INCLUSIVITY AND EQUALITY.”

What does equality in the Cannabis industry

mean to you? I honestly don’t hear the term equality used in this industry. To me, equality in the Cannabis industry is a difficult concept to grasp, as we’re talking about a profit incentivized capitalist environment where MSOs are rewarded for influencing the obliteration of small business within the Cannabis industry. There is nothing equal about this industry, nor in the world of fast-paced American business. Equality in the Cannabis industry means understanding that the plant is the equalizer. Marijuana culture is in fact about inclusivity and equality. I’ll never forget the words of Pam Lane Sohum from SoHum Royal Farms when she said, “In the ‘60s and ‘70s it was all about sitting in a circle, deseeding your bud, rolling a joint and passing it around.” There’s something about that imagery that clearly defines equality as it pertains to authentic California Cannabis culture. Our industry can become a true pillar for social change and the values we hold dear via our products, branding and messaging. This is the power of the plant, the almighty equalizer.

MARIE MONTMARQUET

CO-FOUNDER MD NUMBERS, INC. SALINAS, CA

MDNUMBERSINC.COM

What does equality in the Cannabis industry

mean to you? Equality in Cannabis means replicating the legacy market into the compliant Cannabis market – giving those who have been over-persecuted and who have risked their lives to consume and distribute Cannabis for decades, the chance to do so legally. The same politics that supported arresting minorities has yet to put that “THERE ARE STILL same vigor behind social justice. OVER 40,000 What needs to change about the PEOPLE CURRENTLY Cannabis industry as it relates to equality/equity? Right now, Cannabis in the United States of America is only for INCARCERATED FOR CANNABIS the privileged. There are still over 40,000 CHARGES.” people currently incarcerated for Cannabis charges. And it is still used as a war on minorities throughout this country. Compliant Cannabis has turned into a local and state cash grab. There’s no compassion for small business or legacy operators. The barriers to enter the compliant space are nearly impossible for those who have been negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.

MIKE MCINTYRE

FOUNDER | ESKIMO FIRE BETHEL, AK @ESKIMOFIRE “IN THESE OUTER COMMUNITIES, IT’S NOT CANNABIS – IT’S WEED.”

What does equality in the Cannabis industry mean to you?

Equality means equal access to Cannabis for everyone. While you enjoy your easy access to this resource, the people in very rural areas are still unable to access it, even though it is fully legal. In these outer communities, it’s not Cannabis – it’s weed. It even gets confiscated when they find it on you. I am just here to point out the obvious. Everything aside, I try to do my best to have passion for what I do. I have the love for what I do and my iluqs (Yup’ik translation: Male First Cousins) love it too. Just imagine sitting in a village out in the boonies smoking Triangle Mints #23.

What is the Cannabis industry getting right in terms of equality

and equity? I’ve seen Black entrepreneurs get some help through an equity system, and they were getting somewhere. It made me feel good for somebody to rise above. I just wish there was something like that here. I have also seen a lot of inequity – too much business crawling into somewhere it shouldn’t be.

NEIL LEQUIA

LGBTQ CANNABIS ADVOCATE | FOUNDER THE FULL SPECTRUM | SEATTLE, WA

THEFULLSPECTRUMNETWORK.COM

Can you give us an example of something equitable

you’ve seen happen in the Cannabis space? I’m seeing more and more expungement fairs happening, which is fantastic! Auto-expungements are happening in a lot of the newer states that are legalizing as well, and a lot are also creating equity programs for “THERE IS A HUGE license distribution from the LACK OF HUMAN start – instead of trying to fix something that was forgotten RESOURCES. A NEW about initially. INDUSTRY MEANS THAT EVERY BUSINESS IS A What challenges are facing the Cannabis industry STARTUP.” in terms of equality and equity? Washington was one of the first states to legalize Cannabis, and made a lot of missteps when it came to ensuring an equitable playing field. We’ve already issued our licenses, before making sure they would be distributed fairly and equitably. Now we’re trying to be more intentional as licenses get redistributed. There is a huge lack of human resources. A new industry means that every business is a startup. Not every business has policies or protections in place for their employees. Not every business is a safe place for a minority to thrive. We have an inconsistent patchwork of how we’re handling criminality and expungement – it’s harder to be effective when there are so many independent movements and challenges. We need a bit more awareness, compassion, and cohesion to truly impact equality and equity in the industry.

ELIZA PIRES

OWNER SANCTUARY FARMS YUBA CITY, CA

What challenges are facing the Cannabis industry in terms of equality and

equity? One of the most obvious obstacles in the way of reaching equity in the Cannabis industry lies with the federal scheduling and prohibition. Federally legalizing, or at least descheduling, would allow us to operate much like existing companies who produce medicinal and recreational products. This inhibits our access to banking. Although it is possible to get banking for a Cannabis business, we are subject to exorbitant monthly fees that make it almost impossible for a small farmer to maintain. Small farmers face a number of local and state challenges as well. The most glaring example of inequity lies in the ability for each county to develop their own ordinance, instead of following a statewide set of rules. This way, farmers in some counties are “SMALL FARMERS limited to 10,000 FACE A NUMBER OF square feet of cultivation (or LOCAL AND STATE less), while other CHALLENGES counties allow for the state's full AS WELL.” four acres. This makes it difficult to compete with farms allowed to cultivate 15 times (or more) our square footage.

We also encounter a disparity between the state granting us the right to do business, and the counties holding us back with long, drawn out and limiting processes. All of this is compounded by the multitude of fees, price gouging when Cannabis is mentioned, and the expectation of funds up front before product sales … issues that our wealthy, well-funded counterparts have no trouble with. … there must be a shift away from money outweighing knowledge and experience. This would open the doors for those of us who intend to supply the market with quality.