What happens when a movement becomes an industry? That’s precisely what’s playing out every day in the commercial regulated cannabis market. It’s important to consider how the cannabis industry has a more profound burden and responsibility to social equity than other industries.
It’s no secret that the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately and adversely impacted people of color. To counter this, many states and cities have implemented social equity programs in connection with the legalization of medical or adult-use cannabis. Social equity deals with justice and fairness within social policy. These programs attempt to ensure that people of color, and those with cannabis offenses prior to legalization, be afforded an opportunity to participate, meaningfully, in this burgeoning industry.
The first regulated cannabis states, including Colorado, have only recently taken action on this front. Their programs have had limited success, and as an industry, we’re looking for ways to craft better public policy by surveying the results in other jurisdictions, both nationally and globally. Many problems remain with the implementation of these programs.
Read more at forbes.com
