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In recent years, mainstream media outlets have become more receptive to cannabis stories, but for writers like Mehka King, this moment in time reflects a distinct need for publications dedicated to elevating BIPOC cannabis experiences. In this episode, we speak to the founder of CashColorCannabis about the significance of launching in Atlanta before cannabis was even legalized and how he hopes to leverage the multimedia platform to educate all industry stakeholders about the lingering socioeconomic disparities created by the War on Drugs while celebrating the indelible value Black and minority founders bring to the emerging sector.

Creating a more equitable cannabis industry has already taken form in numerous campaigns and initiatives –but what does it mean to codify these values as a full-fledged corporate social responsibility (CSR) program? In this episode, we speak to Curaleaf’s SVP of CSR, Khadijah Tribble, about her approach to developing and launching the first CSR program for a multi-state operator. Khadijah discusses the importance of establishing intentional guiding principles, identifying opportunities to enhance DEI across the supply chain, and tailoring KPIs to specific markets and communities. Khadijah also shares her long-term vision for how social equity initiatives will expand and evolve in the near future.

Cannabis has been a part of Asian healing traditions dating back to 2900 BCE –so why is the plant so stigmatized within Asian cultures today? In this episode, we speak to Ophelia Chong, founder of Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, about how the War on Drugs was able to gain a foothold throughout Asia, the most impactful ways to discuss cannabis with family members, and the importance of AAPI representation and visibility in this evolving industry.

With the U.S. cannabis industry inching closer to federal legalization each year, more companies than ever are entering the fold. Considering the steady influx of new businesses in this increasingly saturated market, how can new and established cannabis brands ensure that their name and intellectual property are protected from competitors and copycats? In this episode, we speak to cannabis lawyer and advocate Jessica Gonzalez about the measures small businesses can take to safeguard their brands even when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is not engaging with plant-touching entities. Additionally, Jessica will also discuss the state of New Jersey’s adult-use rollout and how industry stakeholders can make the local market more equitable and accessible for business owners and consumers.

While the cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve, the impact of the War on Drugs lingers on. Thousands of people remain incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis-related offenses with little to no legal support. Furthermore, those who are able to secure their release often struggle to gain employment or find other necessary resources upon their reentry into the outside world. In this episode, we talk to Philadelphia Lawyers For Social Equity Executive Director Renee Chenault Fattah and Green Thumb Industries (GTI) Director Jai Kensey about restorative justice and their ongoing effort to assist those who wish to have their marijuana-related cases reach the Pennsylvania Board Of Pardons.

Washington, D.C. is home to many of the nation's most prominent lawmakers and policy discussions about the federal legalization of cannabis. However, the nation's capital is not often thought of as a hub for cannabis innovation and business. Fortunately, there are advocates, entrepreneurs and policymakers working tirelessly to reshape the way in which the city's cannabis culture is perceived. In this episode, we speak to Caroline Phillips, founder of the National Cannabis Festival, about addressing systemic inequities within the industry, engaging with lawmakers to sustain the recent momentum around federal cannabis reform and the future of the National Cannabis Festival.

Over the past two years, social equity programs have become noticeably commonplace in all sectors of the cannabis industry. While committing time, capital and resources to addressing the lasting consequences of the War on Drugs is a necessary first step, the onus is now on industry stakeholders to tangibly deliver on their promises. In this episode, we speak to Marijuana Matters Executive Director Courtney Davis about the importance of developing social equity programs around lived experiences and the entire industry ecosystem. Courtney also examines what measures companies can take to set attainable goals and deliver social equity outcomes.

Legacy operators defined cannabis culture throughout the decades-long War on Drugs. Now, these businesses have a unique opportunity to proudly own their history and grow their brands in plain sight as more states create a pathway for legacy businesses to participate in the regulated space. In this episode, we speak to Vladimir Bautista, the co-founder and CEO of Happy Munkey, one of New York’s most prominent legacy operators. Vladimir discusses the most valuable insights and skills legacy businesses have over regulated operators, his vision for Happy Munkey in New York’s forthcoming adult-use market and how he hopes to usher in the next cannabis revolution on the East Coast and beyond.

In a constantly evolving industry like cannabis, it can be especially difficult for aspiring entrepreneurs to find the appropriate educational resources to start their own companies. For business owners of color, this becomes yet another barrier to entry in a sector where success often hinges on capital and industry connections. In this episode, we speak to Martine Pierre, Founder and CEO of Cannalution aiming to build the first digital HBCU for the cannabis industry. Martine shares her insights on the importance of BIPOC entrepreneurs embracing ancillary opportunities and how new brands can authentically engage with target audiences in competitive markets.

While the regulated cannabis industry continues to flourish with record rates of year-over-year growth, Black ownership and representation have actually dwindled across the country. Cannabis for Black Lives (CfBL), born out of Cannaclusive, aims to eliminate the specific barriers still keeping BIPOC business owners from actively participating in the space. In this episode, we speak to Kassia Graham, Director of Community & Strategy at Cannaclusive and head of Cannabis For Black Lives' leadership team, on how cannabis companies of all sizes can work with CfBL and actively support Black-led organizations through hiring initiatives, meaningfully amplifying Black voices, and staying accountable to their corporate commitments.

The fragmented nature of cannabis legalization has made it especially challenging for industry advocates to pass comprehensive social equity-focused policies across the U.S. –but Tahir Johnson is in a unique position to enact change on both federal and local levels. In this episode, we speak to the Director of Social Equity and Inclusion at U.S. Cannabis Council and Marijuana Policy Project about meaningfully eliminating the main barriers of entry for entrepreneurs of color, the most attractive opportunities in the ancillary sector and how his team is building more robust (and diverse) talent pipelines into the evolving industry.

Since passing in March 2021, New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) has been recognized as one of the most progressive pieces of cannabis legislation in the country. While the bill prioritizes key social equity initiatives –including accessible licensing for communities impacted by cannabis enforcement, a community reinvestment fund, and automatic expungement, the long-term success of these programs will largely depend on the legal frameworks currently being developed by New York’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB). In this episode, we speak to CCB Chair Tremaine Wright about how her office plans to follow through on the MRTA’s commitments, the often overlooked resources that aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs can tap into, and what a successful adult-use rollout can, and should, look like. New Yorkers who want to make their voices heard during this process can get involved at https://cannabis.ny.gov/