Black Cannabis Magazine - The 420 Issue! - April 2021 by Blackcannabismagazine

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

COVER

get blazed.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

www.justmarydelivery.app 2

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

104 Corvain

Cooper: Life After Death

Plus BLACK OWNERSHIP, ADVOCACY, AND JUSTICE

pg108

Contents BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE / LOS ANGELES, CA

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

cultivator spotlight

Cannabis Demonized (Slavery Rebranded)

A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabinoids

meet BLAQSTAR founder and CEO Bryant Mitchell

pg PLUS

114

Jay-Z Once Again Expanding His Empire With a New Company

The therapeautic effects of the most common cannabinoids

cannabis

the best weed themed songs

Marathon OG

COME VIBE WITH US

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

Terpenes 101 class is in session!

Cover Story

Driven By Necessity

Whoopi Goldberg talks with Black Cannabis Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Haze to discuss why she decided to start a cannabis brand.

The Rise of Black Athletes in Cannabis

How to Crossover to a career in Legal Cannabis 5

92 Spotlight: pg

Litco

WWW.BLACKCANNABISMAGAZINE.COM

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

editor. letter from the

in chief >>>>>>>>>>>>>> et’s face it, 2020 sucked big time.

Floyd and Breonna Taylor stand out. And there are L George my bros Kobe and Chadwick. But that’s a different type of

tragedy. 47 million acres burned in Australia. California burned a lot too. The then-President of the United States proved beyond a shadow of doubt there’s a strong voice for racism and social inequity that jerks can stand behind. Then, COVID about messed up everything about being able to just hang. Planes crashed and so did the stock market. And the world keeps on spinning… The summer was hot for all the wrong reasons, including a series of mass protests that often turned into hysterics and looting no matter how hard folks tried to keep it civil. Racial and sexual injustice became hot button topics as the police and politicians behaved badly. We dealt with leadership that managed to get away with crap the previous administration would have been politically lynched for, And the world keeps on spinning… Let’s be real, 2020 is going in the history books as one of the worst on record. Still, I want to believe there’s a silver lining up in here. I want to believe because of how unexpectedly hard 2020 pushed, many of us want to get on the good foot and use 2021 to turn it all around. We as a nation want nothing more than to wipe that cursed year from the record and our memory. Here’s the deal. Yeah, it was a crazy tough year, but it also forced us as a society to take a long look at ourselves in the mirror. (At least the smart ones did.) We had to ask do we like who we’ve become? 2020 showed sides of us that have been in the shadows a good time long. But now it’s glaring at us and we need to know what we’re gonna do about it!

I think it’s damned time we walk with the cannabis plant, head high (pun intended), and ensure that everyone, regardless of skin color, has representation in the cannabis industry and culture.

If you hit the streets in the name of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, or any of the other innumerable losses the Black community continues to suffer. If you’re determined to change things for the women who suffer racial inequity, if you want to make the world a new haven of sanity, then you know what you gotta do.

Let’s build on the monumental work the industry accomplished last year by taking it into the next with open eyes. Our staff of writers will see to it that Black Cannabis Magazine leads the way with topshelf stories, reporting, trends, and activism that shines a light on what makes us great!

Thankfully. Here at Black Cannabis, we’re ready to light a fire to social inequity in the cannabis industry. We think it’s the future that’s going to strengthen and tie our communities. After all, it’s an industry we know best. It’s the one in which our community desperately needs to find its voice and footing. We’re in a position to take something that governing bodies have used to destroy us and flip it, use it to affect change.

- Hazey

As plant medicine, cannabis brings positivity to people’s lives and has the power to be a tremendous equalizer. Legal recreational will alleviate the pain the laws cruelly inflict on our communities. 6

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

The 420 Issue ssue! April 2021

Never miss an issue! All articles are available online!

Issue Credits EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PRINT/ONLINE

HAZEY TAUGHTME @HAZEYTAUGHTME

Tap in!

ART DIRECTOR

DEANDRÉ SMITH FASHION STYLIST

ELLE JEFFREY STYLZ CONTRIBUTORS & HOSTS

HAZEY TAUGHTME

Cannabis Demonized: Slavery Rebranded, Driven by Necessity: an Interview with Whoopi Goldberg

Join the session on Clubhouse, Twitter, Facebook, & IG!

K. MICHAEL WILLIAMS

Driven by Necessity: an Interview with Whoopi Goldberg, Cultivator Spotlight: Bryant Mitchell of Blaqstar Farms

RACHEL EDWARDS

Best Weed-themed Songs, The Rise of black Atheletes in Cannabis

CHARLES BIAS

Retail Store Spotlight: Litco

LILLI MCINTOSH

The Marathon Continues: Marathon OG

MICHELLE HARRIS

Corvain Cooper: Life After Death

JAY MILLS

How To Crossover To a Career in Legal Cannabis

TAMMY PETTIGREW HAWA EL FAYED SHAGGY BROWN

@blackcannamag

Our aim is to provide a clear understanding of the legal cannabis industry that’s 100% fact-based with the indelible goal of creating generational wealth for people of color, the world over by arming them with vital marijuana information along with associated lifestyle attractions. Our mission is to destroy the negative connotation commonly associated with the legal cannabis industry by providing… The truth.

Become a Black Cannabis Insider! Sign up online at www.blackcannabismagazine to recieve our newletter and stay up-to-date-on the latest developments

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blackcannabismagazine.com

Cannabis, Excellence, News, Education, Interviews

THC CONFIDENTIAL

A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabinoids, Terpenes 101 @blackcannabismagazine

First I

CASIMIR SPAULDING 7

2021 BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE - All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography, or illustration only with written permission of the publisher, HAZE ENT., its officers, staff members or writers do not warrant the accuracy of or assume responsibility for any of the material contained herein. Freelance photographers are responsible for their copyrights. Editorials or editorial submissions do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Publisher and/or magazine leadership. All letters, text and photo material received become property of Black Cannabis Magazine.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

Brought to you by THC Confidential

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO CANNABINOIDS As you browse cannabis dispensaries and online menus — you’ll be confronted by countless products containing a myriad of cannabinoids. However, what are cannabinoids, and how can they affect your overall cannabis experience? Read along to learn everything you need to know about the compounds that make cannabis unique — cannabinoids.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

WHAT ARE CANNABINOIDS?

FIRST & FOREMOST, WHAT ARE CANNABINOIDS? Cannabinoids, also known as phytocannabinoids, are compounds found in cannabis. Specifically, cannabinoids are produced within trichomes — the sticky resin glands that coat cannabis buds and leaves.

THERE ARE OVER 150 DISTINCT CANNABINOIDS NATURALLYOCCURRING IN CANNABIS. Although it’s safe to say that each cannabinoid plays a crucial role, there are a handful of cannabinoids that are renowned for their effects. From medical to recreational use cases, cannabinoids are the underlying reason why cannabis enthusiasts can’t get enough of weed. That said, let’s take a look at each notable cannabinoid — and what makes them so unique.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

WHAT IS THC?

Aside from getting high, THC is loaded with benefits that can assist many people in need of natural medicine.

A HIGH NOTE Tracking strain-specific benefits can help improve your experience with THC. Try different strains (hybrids, indica, sativa) and document how each one improves your conditions and what type of experience you have during and after consuming THC.

IF THERE’S ONE CANNABINOID TO RULE THEM ALL, IT’S THC. THC, also known scientifically as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most well-studied and consumed cannabinoid. The primary reason why everyone loves THC? It’s the primary compound that produces psychoactive effects. The sudden head change after a massive puff from a joint or bong, followed by moments of uncontrollable laughter and relaxation, are some of the many effects generated by THC. All cannabis plants, except hemp, contain an abundance of THC. THC content varies from strain to strain and can reach as high as 35% (in flower form) — talk about blow your hair back. Sadly, it’s because of THC’s psychoactive nature that it’s been subject to prohibitive laws worldwide. However, as many countries begin to see the light, THC-rich cannabis is slowly, but surely, becoming accepted — rather than persecuted.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THC? Relieves depression Decreases anxiety Promotes a healthy night’s rest (antiinsomnia) Assists eatingdisorders Decreases severity of PTSD Assists cancer patients after chemotherapy Reduces pain and inflammation

As you can see, THC has an impressive list of benefits. However, this isn't all of them, as research is ongoing.

There are lots of ways to dose THC such as through smoking flower through either combustion or vaporizing, tinctures, cannabutters and oils, mints and candies, pills, concentrates, resins, and waxes. Each method has different recommendations and you should talk to your doctor and budtender to see what options are best for you.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

NEXT UP —WHAT IS CBD?

CBD IS THE LATEST & GREATEST CANNABINOID TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM WITH ITS THERAPEUTIC NATURE. CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid primarily used as an alternative medicine to conventional pharmaceuticals. CBD is extracted from hemp plants because hemp plants are bred to produce an abundance of CBD. Although THC has immense therapeutic potential, its psychoactive element has kept it on the sidelines for decades. Now, CBD is the poster child of cannabis-derived medicine, and the best part? It’s legal throughout the United States. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, all CBD products that contain less than 0.3% THC are legal to purchase online or in-store. At first glance, you may think CBD is too good to be true. However, science shows the properties within CBD are uniquely therapeutic for a wide range of mental and physical issues. 12

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

CBD’S EFFECTS Relaxing Stimulating Increased awareness Relieves pain

CBD’S BENEFITS Reduces anxiety Decreases depression Reduces insomnia

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD? Current and ongoing research points to CBD for a myriad of benefits.

Stimulates the appetite Reduces PTSD Counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC Reduces inflammation and pain Boosts the immune system

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

WHAT IS CBG?

CBG IS ONE OF THE NEXTGENERATION CANNABINOIDS THAT’S RECENTLY GAINED FAME FOR ITS THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBG? Thus far, research shows immense promise for relieving specific physiological issues, such as: Cancer (growth inhibitor) Glaucoma

CBG, also known as cannabigerol, is technically called a minor cannabinoid because it’s not present in large quantities. However, cannabigerol is a crucial building block for THCA, CBDA, and CBCA.

Inflammatory bowel disease Cachexia

Let’s take a look at how.

Bladder dysfunction

As a cannabis plant begins to flower, it contains an abundance of CBGA. This acid-bound version of CBG is the precursor to CBDA, THCA, and CBCA — the inactive forms of each cannabinoid.

Although it’s challenging to find CBG strains or concentrate — it’s well worth your time and money if you suffer from any of these issues.

Therefore, THC, CBD, and CBC wouldn’t exist without CBGA. However, the importance of CBG doesn’t stop here. It just so happens that trace amounts of CBG are formed, and research shows that it’s beneficial for specific health issues. Lastly, CBG is non-psychoactive, which means it will not get you high. Now that you understand the basics about CBG let’s discover the benefits of cannabigerol. 14

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

WHAT IS CBN?

CBN, ALSO KNOWN AS CANNABINOL, IS A MINOR CANNABINOID THAT’S PRODUCED AS CANNABIS BUDS AGE. Furthermore, cannabinoids and terpenes degrade quickly when exposed to air, heat, and light. As air, heat, or light interacts with cannabinoids, oxidation occurs. As a result, THC content decreases because it slowly converts into CBN. As you can see, there are a multitude of benefits associated with CBN. Although CBN is typically marketed as a supplement for insomnia, the jury is out on its effectiveness as a sedative. Although CBN isn’t psychoactive like THC, it does produce an overwhelmingly therapeutic effect. Therefore, an old bag of weed may contain an abundance of cannabinol instead of THC. Currently, high-CBN strains are not common. However, there are a handful of brands that focus on CBN extraction from aged marijuana. Unlike wine, cannabis flowers are meant to be consumed sooner rather than later. The primary reason is that cannabinoids and terpenes degrade over time.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBN? Thus far, researchers have found a wide range of benefits of CBN. Let’s take a look at a list of benefits in regards to cannabinol: Antibacterial Reduce insomnia Neuroprotectant Appetite-stimulation Glaucoma Anti-inflammatory

Overall, CBN is currently making waves among researchers and medical marijuana enthusiasts because of its therapeutic nature.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

WHAT IS CBC?

CBC, ALSO KNOWN AS CANNABICHROMENE, IS ONE OF THE FIRST DISCOVERED CANNABINOIDS OVER 50-YEARS AGO. Although it’s rarely talked about, CBC contains game-changing therapeutic properties. CBC is produced, like THC and CBD, from the conversion process of CBGA. Although CBC is produced in minor amounts, it’s a tour-de-force against pain-related issues. Unlike THC, CBC does not bind to the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system. However, it does show affinity with the TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid) protein. The TRPV1 protein is well known as an inflammation mitigator and pain reliever. Therefore, CBC is hailed as a painrelieving cannabinoid. Furthermore, CBC is not psychoactive, which means it provides pain-relieving benefits without making the end-user feel stoned.

So far, researchers believe cannabinoids are most effective when consumed together. This effect is known as the entourage effect. The entourage effect states that each cannabinoid boosts the efficacy of each subsequent cannabinoid. By consuming a full-spectrum concentrate or cannabis flower, you are more likely to experience the overall benefits that cannabis has to offer. Overall, the final decision is up to you. CBD isolates are shown to effectively mitigate anxiety, depression, and pain — at a cost. Therefore, it may be best to consume cannabis products that contain all available cannabinoids for maximum effect.

Now that you’re familiar with the leading cannabinoids, the question remains — should you consume cannabinoid-specific isolates or all at once? 16

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBC? Let’s take a look at various health-related issues that CBC can assist: Cancer Alzheimer’s Disease Acne Depression The Entourage Effect of Cannabinoids

By consuming a full-spectrum concentrate or cannabis flower, you are more likely to experience the overall benefits that cannabis has to offer.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

CANNABINOIDS

RESEARCH CONTINUES We’ve only reached the tip of the iceberg concerning the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. Thus far, we’ve only discussed five cannabinoids out of 113. Therefore, there is still a lot to learn from cannabinoids and how they can assist us in our day-to-day lives. Currently, one of the most exciting revelations of cannabinoid research is their ability to reduce inflammation caused by the immune response and COVID-19. As such, the world eagerly awaits new scientific evidence of cannabinoid’s medical potential.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

terpenes

101 Brought to you by THC Confidential

Loud. Fire. Dank. These are only a few descriptive terms that chronicle the aroma and flavor of weed. From pungent scents that quickly overtake a room to candy-like tastes and everything in between, terpenes are a primary factor in your overall cannabis experience. Join us as we narrate everything you need to know about terpenes. Discover what terpenes are, their effects, therapeutic potential, and sensory impact. Once you’re done reading, you’ll never smell or taste weed the same ever again. 18

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

First and foremost,

what are

terpenes? In some cases, terpenes prevent predators from eating a plant through bitter and unappealing flavors. In other instances, terpenes attract pollinators and beneficial insects that prey on predators.

Terpenes are organic compounds that occur in all plants including cannabis. The role of terpenes is two-fold — to defend against predators and attract beneficial insects.

TYPICALLY, THE SMELL AND TASTE ARE THE TWO SENSES THAT WE SATISFY RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING WEED.

According to botanists, there are over 20,000 terpenes in the plant kingdom. The good news? Over 200 distinct terpenes occur naturally in marijuana plants. In other words, you’ll be hard-pressed to find the same terpene profile in two different weed strains.

Primary Terpenes Found in Cannabis

Overall, terpenes are an invaluable evolutionary trait that benefits plants.

As we can see, humans are utterly attracted to the scent and flavor of cannabis flowers.

Now, let’s discuss the primary terpenes found in cannabis.

AS YOU STICK YOUR NOSE IN A JAR FILLED WITH GLISTENING BUDS, YOUR FIRST THOUGHTS ARE — THAT’S DANK! Therefore, the terpenes within the buds are responsible for the dankness. However, not all terpenes are created equal.

As we previously mentioned, there are over 200 terpenes found in cannabis. Although we could spend all day discussing each, it’s best to get the show on the road. Here are the major terpenes found in cannabis, along with their associated aroma, flavor, and effects, without further ado.

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

terpenes 101 EFFECTS

BRONCHODILATOR As the name suggests, pinene smells and tastes like pine needles or pine sap. As you open a jar with pinenedominant cannabis, you’ll feel as if you’re walking in the middle of a Redwood grove.

focus PINENE IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON TERPENES FOUND IN CANNABIS.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ANALGESIC ANXIOLYTIC ANTI-CANCER

PINENE IS KNOWN TO ELEVATE CONCENTRATION LEVELS.

Aside from cannabis, pinene is commonly found in dill, rosemary, basil, and, of course — pine needles. Therefore, you should anticipate an amalgamation of these herbs when indulging in a pinene-dominant strain, such as Critical Mass.

>>>>>> As for the effects, pinene uniquely provides users with a euphoric sensation that’s both stimulating and thought-provoking.

CRITICAL MASS STRAIN PHOTO BY: DIDDYSHAOW

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

explore Limonene is primarily found in citruses, such as lemons and oranges. Furthermore, limonene is also characteristic of juniper. However, many sativa-dominant cannabis strains typically hold an abundance of limonene.

EFFECTS

UPLIFTING THOUGHT-PROVOKING STRESS-RELIEF ELEVATED MOOD

THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF LIMONENE IN CANNABIS ARE:

ANXIOLYTIC (ANTI-ANXIETY) ANTI-DEPRESSION ANALGESIC ANTI-CANCER

WHEN YOU NEED TO GET UP AND OUT — THERE’S NOTHING AS REFRESHING AS LIMONENEDOMINANT STRAINS IN CANNABIS.

Without a doubt, limonene is one of the easiest terpenes to notice because of limonene’s prevalence in citrus. If you’re ready to indulge in the lip-smacking flavor of limonene, try Do-Si-Dos or White Fire OG.

>>>>>>

Limonene tastes and smells like fermented citrus, which usually presents a sour profile that electrifies the senses.

WILD FIRE (WIFI) OG STRAIN PHOTO BY: LOUYSIGHTS

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

terpenes 101 EFFECTS

Myrcene is primarily found in mangos, thyme, lemongrass, and weed. The aroma and flavor are candy-like with a hint of hashish. In other words, expect a sweet profile that exudes pure-dankness as it mixes with other terpenes.

RELAXATION REDUCED STRESS SLEEPINESS/DROWSINESS EUPHORIC

relax IF YOU EVER WONDER WHAT PRODUCES THE COUCH-LOCK EFFECT — LOOK NO FURTHER THAN MYRCENE.

Overall, myrcene-dominant strains are ideal for those who wish to experience the sleepyside of marijuana. Strains, such as Blue Dream and GDP, contain an abundance of myrcene and are the perfect choice to experience this incredible terpene.

>>>>>>

BLUE DREAM STRAIN PHOTO BY: DMYTRO TYSHCHENKO

MYRCENE’S THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS:

ANTI-DEPRESSION ANXIOLYTIC

In the past, cannabis enthusiasts attributed the sleepy effect to indica strains. However, current and ongoing research points to something more specific — terpenes such as myrcene.

ANALGESIC ANTI-INSOMNIA APPETITE STIMULATING

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

chill EFFECTS

The calming aroma and herballike flavor catapult linalool into a must-try category. Aside from linalool’s scent and taste, here’s a list of extraordinary effects:

RELAXING SLEEP-INDUCING EUPHORIC ELEVATED-MOOD

THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF LINALOOL IN CANNABIS ARE:

ANTI-DEPRESSION ANXIOLYTIC ANTI-INSOMNIA REDUCES NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES ANTI-INFLAMMATION

Linalool can also be found in strains such as Do-Si-Dos and Kosher Kush.

>>>>>>

LINALOOL IS THE PRIMARY TERPENE FOUND IN LAVENDER — ONE OF THE MOST RELAXING PLANTS IN THE WORLD.

Linalool has a sweet floral scent and helps ease users into a calm and relaxed state. Perfect for an outdoor event or nighttime use.

KOSHER KUSH STRAIN PHOTO BY: K. DRAGON

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

terpenes 101 EFFECTS

However, you don’t have to be a beer snob to enjoy a rip of humulenedominant weed. Humulene, the primary terpene found in hops, presents a nose and mouthful of pinelike bitter-sweetness.

happy

STIMULATING THOUGHT-PROVOKING EUPHORIC

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN HUMULENE’S THERAPEUTIC QUALITIES, HERE’S A DEFINITIVE LIST:

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ANALGESIC ANTI-BACTERIAL ANTI-DEPRESSION ANXIOLYTIC

IF YOU’RE A BEER LOVER— DON’T MISS OUT ON HUMULENEDOMINANT STRAINS.

HUMULENE IS KNOWN TO ELEVATE MOOD

Strains, such as Girl Scout Cookies and Sunset Sherbet, are must-try genetics that contain boatloads of humulene.

GSC HAZE STRAIN

>>>>>>

PHOTO BY: ROXANA GONZALEZ

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

creative EFFECTS

Terpinolene is commonly found in lilac, nutmeg, cumin, and weed.

UPLIFTING EUPHORIC RELAXING CREATIVE

FURTHERMORE, TERPINOLENE’S THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS ARE:

ANTI-CANCER ANTI-FUNGAL ANTI-BACTERIAL ANTI-OXIDANT

TERPINOLENE IS A UNIQUE TERPENE BECAUSE IT CONTAINS AN AMALGAMATION OF FLAVORS THAT SPAN SWEET, SPICE, AND EVERYTHING NICE.

As you inhale terpinolene, you’ll feel dazed once you experience its intense floral and spice-laden sweetness. Once you experience terpinolene-dominant weed, such as Jack Herer, Ghost Train Haze, and Chernobyl — you’ll never look for anything else.

>>>>>>

As you can see, terpinolene is an inspiring terpene that tends to present itself in abundant quantities in sativa-dominant hybrids.

JACK HERER STRAIN PHOTO BY: MICHAEL MALASPINA

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

Do terpenes make you

high?

Overall, the terpene market is in sky-high demand because high-terpene products also pack a massive punch in the THC department. From trichome-filled buds to terpene-rich rosin, there are many terpene-forward cannabis products at a dispensary near you. Once you dive into the world of terpenes — you’ll never smoke bland weed ever again.

An important question that you must ask is - do terpenes make you high? The answer is no. The effects, however, aren’t negligible. Terpenes provide euphoria, relaxation, added focus, or stimulation, and when combined with THC, the results are staggering.

How to Choose The Best Terpenes For You If you consume isolated terpenes, however, you will not become high because terpenes are not psychoactive. If you pair terpenes with THC, however, get ready to rocket to cloud-nine.

BY CHOOSING CANNABIS STRAINS BASED ON THEIR TERPENE PROFILE, YOU CAN ADEQUATELY PINPOINT THE PERFECT STRAIN FOR YOUR PALETTE.

Now that you have a basic idea of the most prevalent terpenes in cannabis, it’s time to choose the best type for you. Terpenes, however, aren’t one-size-fitsall. Instead, all cannabis strains contain dozens of terpenes. At this juncture, it’s imperative to understand the importance of lab-tested weed. By purchasing lab-tested cannabis, you’ll know the concentration of each terpene found in a given strain. For example, Kosher Kush’s lab-test shows that it contains 0.4% myrcene, 0.3% limonene, 0.2% linalool, and 0.2% caryophyllene. As you can see, Kosher Kush is myrcene-dominant. Therefore, you can expect that the dominant aroma, flavor, and effects will fall in line with myrcene’s overall profile.

A New Horizon For Terpenes Terpenes have recently garnered particular attention from extract artists. Thanks to their incredible flavor and aroma, concentrate producers now focus on terpene-forward products, such as live resin and terp sauce. Therefore, terpenes have found an entirely new market in the cannabis industry. Here’s a brief list of terpene-forward cannabis products:

HIGH-TERPENE CANNABIS FLOWERS LIVE RESIN ROSIN TERP SUGAR HIGH-TERPENE VAPE CARTRIDGES & MANY MORE

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

CREWNECK TEE “CANNABIS SAVED MY LIFE”

ONLY AVAILABLE @

BLACKCANNABISMAGAZINE.COM/SHOP/ 27

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APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

The Rise of Black Athletes in Cannabis [ R AC H E L E D WA R D S ]

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

Athletes of color have for long suffered stigmatization over any hint of marijuana use.

AL HARRINGTON

>>>

The Rise of BlackAthletes in Cannabis 30

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

Recent reports show that the U.S. cannabis industry market value will reach $30 billion annually by 2025* * at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%.

To say that the cannabis industry is thriving is an understatement. It is one of the fastest-growing sectors, and as more states move to legalize cannabis, the outlook is even greater. As more states legalize both medical and adult-use marijuana, these sports celebrities are the pioneers in investment within this industry.

This comes in the backdrop of increased legalization of adult-use and medical marijuana and growing advocacy. However, many black entrepreneurs haven’t joined this billion-dollar industry for several reasons. From racial inequities, lack of capital to poor marketing, many issues hinder blacks from capitalizing on the cannabis boom However, African-American sports personalities are at the forefront of harnessing opportunities in this market.

They are trying to overcome the frosty relationship that has existed between marijuana and sports. Athletes of color have for long suffered stigmatization over any hint of marijuana use. Their efforts are visible through CBD-products endorsements, brand sponsorships, hemp-focused sports firms, and capital investments. This article looks at some outstanding black sports people making waves in the industry and their impact.

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

CHRIS BALL Chris Ball is the founder and CEO of Ball Family Farms, Inc. The operation is a vertically integrated cannabis operation and the first minority-owned social equity, commercial facility in L.A. The company launched its first strain in 2018. The product, “Daniel LaRusso,” blew up in retail stores licensed to sell cannabis. Earlier this year, Ball Family unleashed its new strain, “Tha Last Dragon.” Ball, out of Southern California, sold cannabis to get through junior college. He was on the football team. Ball went

on to earn a scholarship and playing at UC Berkeley. He had a brief pro career with the NFL and went on to the Canadian Football League. During his stint in The Great White North, Ball learned of cannabis cultivation. He studiously took the craft to heart. By the time he returned to Los Angles, Ball saw the potential in meshing his selling weed with his learning in Canada. He got his hands on a small warehouse. The entrepreneur dove in, spending 36 months burning through plants. He came to master his cultivation game. In 2016, the City of Angels announced the Social Equity Program and adopted cannabis regulations for commercial sale and use. The Social Equity Program was created to seek and repair harm created by

the War on Drugs, specifically monitoring over-policing in minority and low-income communities. By 2017, Ball was already growing ultra-premium strains. The products sold out within days. After discovering the program and getting qualified, Ball had the opportunity to expand his business, transitioning from co-ops to a familyowned brand. He incorporated Ball Family Farms in 2018. The company continues to produce unequaled premium cannabis products. They also tackle social injustice, fighting inequities in diversity, pay and inclusion. The company promotes female empowerment in the workspace. While BFF’s initial goal was to create This

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

“CULTIVATING THE CULTURE …FROM THE GROUND UP!” commitment to excellence and determination to activism is a testament to the company’s tagline: “Cultivating the Culture...from the Ground UP!”

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

MARVIN WASHINGTON Marvin Washington had an illustrious 11 years as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). The Super Bowl Star played for the New York Jets, the Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49-ers. Away from football, he has emerged as one of the most powerful advocates of medical cannabis. The growing opioid addiction problem in NFL and other sports has inspired Washington’s relentless advocacy. In his campaign supporting medical marijuana, Washington works with medical experts, current and former athletes struggling with opioid addiction, and other organizations. The former NFL player bases his advocacy on the growing medical evidence showing the health benefits of weed for pain treatment over opioids. In 2017, Washington and others sued then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the DEA to have marijuana decriminalized at the national level. The case filed in the Southern District of New York is still ongoing and seeks to overturn cannabis as a schedule 1 drug.

the NFL star recently launched a new line of CBD infused water to join a growing group of African American cannabis investors in the billion-dollar cannabis industry. He has acted as an ambassador

for cannabis-based companies, including Isodiol’s athlete-focused CBD brand, ISOSport. Washington argues it’s time for NFL and all sports in the country to heed doctors’ opinions and legalize medical marijuana for pain therapy.

If he wins, this would allow more people to enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana. To augment his cannabis advocacy,

While 33 states have legalized medical cannabis, NFL still lists marijuana in its banned substances category.

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TREYOUS JARRELLS For Treyous Jarrells, a former CSU running back, weed has never been a taboo subject despite the risks that came with this association. In an interview, Jarrells confessed that the major motivation for moving to the Centennial State to play for Colorado State University football team was the availability of legal marijuana. The talented player played for two seasons and consistently used weed during training and in games. To avoid losing his scholarship, Jarrells walked back from the sport and completed his degree. It was a calculated move that allowed him to earn the all-important papers.

Today, Jarrells owns one of 102,620 medical marijuana licenses to grow weed in the state. The former football star is a powerful black cannabis advocate and never shies from advocating the plants’ benefits for pain therapy. Jarrells says the NCAA and CSU’s policy of listing marijuana as a banned substance made it impossible for him to play. The only option was to use weed for pain relief or risk getting hooked to the university’s administered opiates. By using cannabinoids, Jarrells rightly argues he avoided falling into the addiction trap, which many athletes are struggling to get out of. Today, the former CSU football star is one of the most recognizable legal weed entrepreneurs and doesn’t regret his decision to quit. He grows weed commercially inside his house and is keen 35

to refine his product using the latest techniques. Jarrells continues building networks within the booming cannabis industry as he solidifies his place as a weed entrepreneur. In 2018, he partnered with Green Road, a cannabidiol (CBD) company, as their athletic consultant.

The former football star is a powerful black cannabis advocate and never shies from advocating the plants’ benefits for pain therapy.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021 BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE // WINTER ISSUE 2021

AL HARRINGTON One of the most notable advocates for African-American cannabis investment is Al Harrington. Al spent fifteen successful seasons in the NBA. Recently, the former NBA forward announced plans to create the first 100 black Americans through marijuana investments.

When launching the incubator partnership with his brand, Al was optimistic that this step would see more blacks tapping this plant’s potential. Through this partnership, black entrepreneurs can overcome challenges such as licensing, lack of capital, and marketing. His company has recently been active on the market, closing a$16 million funding round targeting top athletes within the African American communities. He never won an MVP when he played in NBA, but Al is making a big contribution by promoting ownership by the minority in the booming cannabis industry.

INVESTING IN BLACK CANNABUSINESS

The former NBA forward is at the forefront of empowering black entrepreneurs to enter the cannabis space. His black cannabis brand, Viola, already has a footprint across state lines

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access legal CBD products from shops and dispensaries, and he never looked back. This encounter with CBD would later shape his post-NBA life as one of the leading African American cannabis entrepreneurs. For his cannabis investments, Pierce has teamed up with Elliot Mermel to create the Truth CBD Remedies. The brand name “The Truth” comes from a nickname Pierce got from NBA great Shaquille O’Neal back in 2001. It has now grown to become one of the most recognizable black cannabis brands. His weed investments also include one of the most popular celebrity cannabis brands, Vesper, sold by Eaze Wellness. To stand out in the fast-paced cannabis industry, Pierce decided early to refine his product and make sure it helped the user.

PAUL PIERCE Paul Pierce is a former NBA Finals MVP and 10-time All-Star who played 19 seasons in the NBA. Since joining the league in 1998’s draft, Pierce played for 15 years with the Boston Celtics. He teamed up with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to lead Boston to two finals and a championship in 2008. Pierce later joined the Brooklyn Nets, the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and retired in 2017. After retirement, the NBA star has worked as an ESPN NBA analyst for the network’s NBA coverage on NBA Countdown and The Jump. However, it is his cannabis

advocacy and investment in the industry where the former NBA star is most noticeable today. Pierce has joined the vanguard of black athletes in the cannabis industry, such as Kevin Durant, Matt Barnes, Stephen Jackson, and others who have opened up the way for young blacks to invest in the industry. The California native has a long history with cannabis-based products going back to 2000 when he suffered a horrific attack. Pierce suffered 11 stab wounds on the face, neck, hands, and back. The attack caused anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In a search for the best treatment, the NBA star tried opioids before he finally stumbled on cannabidiol (CBD) products.CBD’s natural healing properties had a transformational impact on the player’s journey to recovery. As a Los Angeles native, it was easy to

To achieve this, the basketball player invested in a 10,000 square foot facility in California, where his team grows its own flower for his CBD products. With his traumatic experience with opioids, the retired Celtics star and ESPN basketball analyst now targets fellow athletes with his hemp-derived CBD remedy. He knows most of these sports people need pain therapy but can’t access quality CBD products. Pierce is now a trailblazer among black athletes who continue to inspire investors in the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry.

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RICKY WILLIAMS Former NFL player Ricky Williams has never shied away from admitting his pot-smoking. He has long supported the use of recreational marijuana, explaining how it helped him play for 11 years. Today, he’s among the pioneer black athletes making cannabis investments. At one time, he argued that the profits cannabis investment would make surpasses all the losses he suffered due to violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy.

KEVIN DURANT

Kevin Durant is undoubtedly one of the most famous black basketball stars of all time. He is also active in matters that touch on the black community. He’s ranked 14th-best player of all time, and this highlights the impact his voice has on any matter. Durant has won multiple accolades in his career. Today, his decision to invest in the cannabis market gives hope to supporters of cannabis use in NBA. Through his venture capital firm, Thirty Five Ventures, he has put money in cannabis purchasing technology and also provides seed capital for startups. This gives many upcoming investors a chance to get a piece of the pie.

Co-founded by Kevin Durant and his manager Rich Kleiman, Thirty Five Ventures serves as the umbrella for all of their business interests across sports, tech, culture and more. 38

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MIKE TYSON

Mike Tyson is synonymous with boxing and he has always been vocal about issues affecting the black community. He is royalty when it comes to boxing and is one of the most recognizable black athletes. Tyson boasts 50 wins, 44 Kos and only 6 losses in his glamorous career. He broke multiple records in his career including the youngest fighter to win a heavyweight title20 years only. He went on to become the first heavyweight boxer to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles at once and unified them in succession. Without doubt, he’s one of best heavyweight boxers of all time. However, most people don’t know that behind all the brashness is a suave investor. Tyson recently opened doors to his cannabis empire in the Mojave Desert. The investment in partnership with Rob Hickman makes him $1 million a month. On his cannabis ranch, he has plans to build a weed-themed holiday resort. In the future, he even wants to open a university for people who would like to follow in his footsteps in marijuana farming.

BUSINESS HEAVYWEIGHT The investment in partnership with Rob Hickman makes him $1 million a month.

Tyson recently opened doors to his cannabis empire in the Mojave Desert. 39

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GABBY DOUGLAS

Medical research has revealed many benefits of hemp-based CBD products in healing and relaxing the body

Gabby Douglas is a successful black female Olympian. She has won the Olympic gold three times and made history in 2012 as the first American to win an Olympic individual all-around championship. Gabby has partnered with other professional athletes to invest in CBD to help athletes. Medical research has revealed many benefits of Hempbased CBD products in healing and relaxing the body. This is an area where many athletes would benefit from. Through the investment firm Motive CBD, the Olympic star wants to help athletes struggling with musculoskeletal injuries. These are career-threatening problems that CBD can help alleviate. As a role model to many African Americans, Gabby’s courage to promote cannabis products through investment will open the way for other entrepreneurs.y in the booming cannabis industry.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF CBD ON PAGE 12

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GARY PAYTON

When people talk about great NBA defenders, Gary Payton always features in the list. He spent thirteen years with the Seattle SuperSonics, and still holds many records in his former team. Gary also played for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. While with the Miami Heat in 2006, he won the NBA Championship. Garys’ impressive all-around skills made him stand out and contributed to his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Today, Gary is still making waves this time as one of the leading African American cannabis entrepreneurs. It is a move that’s likely to boost the campaign for the legalization of marijuana in the NBA. When such former stars invest in cannabis ventures or speak about the benefits of marijuana, they contribute greatly to the campaign to allow the use of sports products. Gary joins other black athletes who have discovered the potential in this industry. Through his company

Payton Place, the former NBA stars seek to provide athletes with safe cannabisbased medication. His partners in the venture were ecstatic about the clout the Hall of Famer brought to the company. The endorsement will go a long way to clear any doubts people still have about using cannabis by athletes and investing in the industry. It is no secret that financing and lack of role models can be a big problem for young black entrepreneurs looking to enter this evolving industry. When the likes of Gary and Kevin Durant start putting money into the industry, there’s more motivation for young black investors. One of the people inspired by Gary is Shawn Kemp, his playing partner from Seattle SuperSonics. Shawn recently announced his new cannabis store in downtown Seattle with some help from his former playmate Gary Payton.

Today, Gary is still making waves this time as one of the leading African American cannabis entrepreneurs

Cookies announced the launch of Gary Payton, a unique strain named after the legendary Hall of Fame player Gary Payton. The Aroma is described as strong gas with a burnt rubber finish and the flavor is super smooth gas with an experience described as strong, heavy body feel. Cookies & Gary followed up with merchandise capsule collection and is one of the most sought after celebrity athlete strains on the market. He even collaborated with Xzibit for his Napalm grenade pre-rolls. 41

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EUGENE MONROE Eugene Monroe emerged as one of the best offensive tackles in college football. As expected, he was among the top ten picks in the 2009 NFL draft. He went on to become one of the most successful football stars in the world. He initially played for the Jacksonville Jaguars before heading to Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, Monroe retired at only 29 years, citing head trauma due to head injuries.

cannabis instead of opioids. It was a challenge to the NFL as he advocates for medical cannabis to assist sports people grappling with chronic trauma after years of playing. Opioids abuse among NFL players and retirees is a big problem. This motivates Eugene to rise against the mistreatment of players. This advocacy encourages debate and also makes a big case for continued investment in cannabis by black athletes across all sports.

Monroe later emerged as a top advocate for the medical use of

MATT BARNES & STEPHEN JACKSON Most black athletes are not very vocal when it comes to calls for the legalization of marijuana. There’s still a lot of stigmatization around this plant despite even more states now legalizing it. With most leagues banning the use of cannabis products, very few players are bold enough to call for change. Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson are former top basketball players in the NBA. They have come out strongly to argue for athletes’ use of marijuana. The two superstars have even discussed their use of marijuana during their playing days. 42

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second class of grantees awarded as part of the Momentum Class of 2021. the list includes specialists in all categories including cultivation and growing, dispensing and retail, production, innovation, and more. Here is the full list: Whitney Beatty JOSEPHINE & BILLIES (Los Angeles, CA) Leo Bridgewater BRIDGEH2O (Trenton, NJ) James Charon SYRACUSE HEMPORIUM (Syracuse, NY) Jesse Grundy THE PEAKZ CO (Oakland, CA) Tre Hobbs NEIGHBORHOOD ESSENTIALS (Detroit, MI) Kika Keith-Sturgis GORILLA RX (Los Angeles, CA) Gidai Maaza and Cesar Casamayor: THE PEOPLE’S DISPENSARY (Fresno, CA)

CONTINUED In one interview, the two shared how they celebrated beating the Mavericks by smoking weed with hip hop artist Snoop Dogg. It was a big victory for the Golden State Warriors, and it was a deserved celebration. The more serious underlying message was that marijuana’s medical and recreational use in sports should be allowed. Their podcast “All The Smoke” has highlighted the issue several times. Many of the stars who have featured on the podcast have also shared their

thoughts on the same. Such advocacy gives a platform for a debate on cannabis use in sports. As more research continues on the effects of marijuana on sports, new investment opportunities will continue to emerge. This presents an opportunity for black entrepreneurs to own a share of the market. Barnes also fills the role as Senior Advisor at Eaze’s minority-focused cannabis business incubator, Momentum. In early February, they announced their

Dorian Morris UNDEFINED BEAUTY (Los Angeles, CA) Nina Parks GIFT OF DOJA (San Francisco, CA)

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CALVIN JOHNSON & ROB SIMS Calvin Johnson Jr. and Rob Sims have formed an outstanding partnership in the cannabis industry. Sims played as a football guard and was drafted in the 2006 fourth draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was later traded to the Detroit Lions. Calvin Johnson Jr. was a wide receiver who turned out for the Detroit Lions. During his nine-year career. The partnership of Calvin and Rob Sims under the name Primativ has generated a lot of interest in the industry. The two black athletes have already opened multiple stores in the State of Michigan. They are now working with Harvard University in researching their products. The collaboration is to help discover how marijuana affects Chronic Trauma Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain disease, and many NFL players are vulnerable. Diagnosis is only possible during postmortem.

LARRY HUGHES

Findings from such research can go a long way in boosting the campaign to allow the use of cannabis in NFL and other sports. This would end the horrific effects of opioids on athletes and retirees, many of whom get out of the sport already addicted.

Larry Hughes spent 14 years in the National Basketball Association and turned out for eight different teams. In the 1998 NBA draft, he was the eighth overall pick and one of the most celebrated basketball players from St. Louis. Recently, Hughes announced plans to invest in the cannabis market through Al Harrington’s Viola Brand. The two former NBA stars played together, and the investment partnership came naturally. Hughes has been influential in matters concerning mental health in the area, and with the legalization of cannabis, his efforts can get a boost. The project in St. Louis will feature two cannabis dispensaries, cultivation and processing centers. The venture to be called Viola Missouri (VMO) seeks to harness the benefits of cannabis products for mental wellbeing and other uses.

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JOHN SALLEY John Salley retired in 2000 but he didn’t stop playing. He just changed the game. Salley engaged in a series of careers, including talk show host. A major investment was an engagement in the cannabis industry. He has his brand, Deuces22, and a partnership with GreenSpace Labs, a testing company. Now, Salley is collaborating with Daron Phillips, among others. Phillips is an insurance vet and working with the basketball legend to develop and launch “The Cannabis Plan.” It will the first of its kind. A company that offers insurance plans for the cannabis industry and its employees. The new company wants to branch out beyond that, providing coverage for individual cannabis users. This last point is to counteract the typical penalization cannabis consumers confront with traditional insurance policies. Philips says, “People were being punished for being THC or CBD users like they were smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. ... Individuals that are worried about their health insurance going up or not even covering them because they use THC, we’re going to eliminate that.” Any cannabis enterprise with two or more staffers is eligible for the plan, which promises to be 20% less expensive than comparable insurance options. Salley won four NBA titles during 11 years on the court. Since he’s hosted talk shows and became a wellness advocate. He’s also invested in companies reflecting his values. This includes brands of cannabis and vegan wine.

The Cannabis Plan will partner with National Insurance Partners. These insurers manage companies with up to 200,000 employees. They also offer healthcare coverage through a third-party, Medova Healthcare.

He says, managed properly, cannabis fits naturally in any lifestyle. He told High Times, “It’s a matter of maintaining a mentality of only putting the best of the best into your body.”

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BOO WILLIAMS

Like many athletes, former footballer Boo Williams publicly advocates for the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Williams argues it’s non-addictive and non-toxic. He compares the recuperative potential of cannabis to the dangers of opioids and other painkillers. He believes these drugs, prescribed to hapless, desperate patients, are the real threat. To give sufferers quality medicinal alternatives, Williams started his line of cannabis goods with BooBeary Products. His product line consists of liquid capsules, tinctures and topical creams. The products are available in licensed locations in the states of Florida and Louisiana and at Williams’ website. Williams’ own experiences fuel his views on the legalization of cannabis. Between his injuries and a devastating bout with depression, he sees cannabis as the option for anyone, especially players, suffering pain or distress. He says cannabis helped him grow both physically and psychologically. Williams has been a smoker for many years. He lit up his first joint in tenth grade. The former football player turned to cannabis days after he sustained a concussion playing football. He self-medicated throughout high school and at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. Williams says he never smoked during training or games. Only after, and to clear his head. He wants to help with the BooBeary line and through education. His mantra “Saving Lives and Changing Minds” drives him and his social agenda. The former pro-baller sees cannabis as a pathway to opening up the mind and allowing you to see emotional chains. Often the ones that bind to a hurtful past. “Before cannabis, I only had a green light on all the emotions I was feeling – there was no yellow light to red, and no stopping if things got heated. Cannabis gave me a yellow light, to stop and think about how I’m feeling, and gives me a red light, keeping my emotions in check.”

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FINAL THOUGHTS These black athletes and celebrities are an inspiration to millions of black entrepreneurs who want to venture into this industry but don’t know how to do it. These black athletes are the vanguard supporting both the use and investment in the cannabis market. If you want to learn more about African-American investments and opportunities in the cannabis market, stay in the know by subscribing to the Black Cannabis Magazine.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

HOW TO CROSSOVER TO A CAREER IN LEGAL CANNABIS WRITTEN BY JAY MILLS

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

WORKING TOWARD INCLUSION People of color have been in the black market cannabis industry since the war on drugs. Many went to prison for the same plant that is generating billions of dollars of revenue for the country. Some are still serving time. Entrepreneurs of the black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) community need to fight for inclusion in the legal cannabis industry. They paid the price for a seat at that table. If you are going to stand up against resistance to BIPOC inclusion in the legal cannabis arena, be sure you understand how terminology is used in these discussions, the history of cannabis, how far we’ve come and what is getting in the way of where we should be. Also, look toward the people that inspire you. It starts with language because of legal implications as well as perception.

TERMINOLOGY Some people refer to marijuana, cannabis, and hemp as though they’e all the same. Using these terms interchangeably causes confusion and misunderstanding. Cannabis is the overarching term. It refers to all products produced from a flowering plant named Cannabis sativa. In this plant, you would find substances known as cannabinoids. There are over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. The primary ones are: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is intoxicating. Cannabidiol (CBD), which is not intoxicating.

Marijuana refers to the components of or the products derived from cannabis plants that have significant amounts of THC. Under current law, significant is more than 0.3%. Not all cannabis plants have a high THC level. The plants with insignificant amounts of THC, 0.3% or less, are the ones we know as “hemp”. “Weed” typically refers to marijuana. Cannabis is the term most often used today because of the stigma around the term marijuana, dating back to discrimination against Mexican immigrants in the early 1900s. Though the effort to change perception is admirable, referring to marijuana as cannabis may add to the confusion because hemp is part of the same family. In any case, that’s where we are today. Now that we’ve covered the chemical side of cannabis, let’s look at the legalimplications.

REGULATIONS Marijuana remains illegal on the federal level. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) includes marijuana in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The Schedule 1 designation refers to, “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Marijuana is in strange company as Schedule 1 also includes heroin, LSD, ecstasy, meth and peyote.

Epidiolex is prescribed for seizures associated with specific ypes of epilepsy. Marinol and Syndros is used to treat nausea and vomiting brought on by cancer chemotherapy. Dronabinol can help with weight loss and reduced appetite that occurs with HIV/AIDS.

PARADOX BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL LAW State laws and regulations determine what can be sold legally in each state. You may be wondering how marijuana can be illegal under federal law and, in some cases, legal under state law. This is an excelent question with no simple answer. Essentially, this means that you can be compliant with state law and still be prosecuted under federal law. The Department of Justice (DOJ) presides over enforcement, and the DOJ takes direction from the president of the United States. So, technically, federal prosecutors have the authority to pursue cases against people in a state where marijuana is legal. However, the DOJ can choose not to do so. One of the ways you can influence future jobs legal cannabis industry is to pay attention to where political candidates stand with regard to enforcement.

It is illegal to market a product as a dietary supplement if it contains CBD or THC. Additionally, interstate commerce of food with added THC or CBD is illegal. However, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some drugs that contain CBD and synthetic THC. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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ROADBLOCKS TO ENTRY INTO THE CANNABIS BUSINESS Conflicting federal and state regulations contribute to blocked entry into the legal cannabis industry. This is why: Access to banking services may be limited if banks are concerned about the potential problems of doing business with marijuana enterprises for fear that accepting deposits may be interpreted by law enforcement as money laundering. The fact that marijuana cannot be exported across state lines even if it is legal in the destination state can create inventory problems. Let’s say you have a legal retail business in a state that lacks the optimum conditions for growing. A state in proximity may be conducive for growing, but if the product can’t cross state lines, how do you maintain stock? Marijuana businesses are liable for federal taxes but are not eligible for the same tax deductions as other businesses. This is due to the federal tax code that categorizes marijuana growers, dispensary entrepreneurs and other industry participants as drug traffickers.

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HISTORY OF CANNABIS NBC News estimates that 55 million Americans use marijuana on a regular basis, and the cannabis market is a $40- billion industry. But lack of capital, social inequity and the historical war on drugs inhibit the BIPOC community from sharing in the success of the cannabis trade, even those who essentially led the way. Looking back at the transformation from the 1970s to present day, you can see the roots of the demonization of marijuana. Although marijuana is now legal in many states, those roots remain strong on the federal level and impact your ability to find African American cannabis jobs.

1970: The Controlled Substances Act became law, formalizing regulation of specific drugs. Marijuana was included in the category of the most dangerous drugs (Schedule 1).

1977: Under President Carter’s

1996: California was heralded as the first state to legalize marijuana.

administration, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana was decriminalized.

2014: Colorado opened the first regulated marijuana market in the United States.

1986: The Reagan administration

reverted to Nixon’s initiatives. Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, resulting in mandatory prison time following arrests for certain drugs.

FROM 1980 TO 1997, PRISON TIME FOR NONVIOLENT DRUG ARRESTS ROSE FROM 50,000 TO 400,000.

2020: Recreational marijuana is sold in 11 states and the District of Columbia.

1971: President Nixon declared a war on drugs, vowing to eradicate “public enemy number one.” The initiative was framed as a way to stop the use, distribution and trade of illegal drugs. However, the undercurrent of discrimination was later unveiled.

2021: Medicinal marijuana is sold in 33 states and D.C.

1973: The U.S. Drug Enforcement

Administration (DEA) was established to enforce the war on drugs.

Opponents of the law presented data that showed people of color were arrested at rates that outpaced arrests of white people. 52

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WHY BLACK-OWNED CANNABIS JOBS SEEM OUT OF REACH NBC News reported that “less than a fifth of the people involved at an ownership or stakeholder level were people of color.” One reason is financial. Thousands of dollars in licensing fees make it cost prohibitive for many people. Also, as mentioned above, it may be hard to find a bank willing to do business with marijuana companies because the industry is still illegal on the federal level. If forced into a cash-only business, people in black owned cannabis jobs face the risk of theft. Another issue is previous incarceration. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) report, The War on Marijuana in Black and White, states that the war on drugs evolved into a war on marijuana, which “served as a vehicle for police to target communities of color” A drug conviction can stand in the way of African American cannabis jobs. The Rolling Stone wrote about “state regulations that prohibit convicted felons, including those convicted of nonviolent drug crimes, from operating, or even working in, a dispensary.” Cannabis is probably the only industry where experience does not work in your favor. Don’t be surprised when your proficiency in growing, trimming, processing and selling doesn’t help

to roll out the welcome mat for jobs legal cannabis industry. OK, so the industry is not welcoming you with open arms, and you have good reason not to trust the process. But don’t let any business sector shut you out, especially one in which you have paved the way for legal acceptance. Learn ways to break through the barriers to African American cannabis jobs.

HOW TO CROSS OVER TO A CAREER IN LEGAL CANNABIS FIND A MENTOR

Identify a mentor who can show you the way, someone who has achieved success and can relate to your experience. Ask questions, and stay open-minded to constructive feedback.

LEARN ABOUT THE PITFALLS

Everyone makes mistakes, and when mentors are willing to share their experiences, learn from them.

NETWORK

As with any job search, networking is key. Read industry-specific material, and look for groups you can join. Volunteering is

a great way to network and learn at the same time. It’s also an opportunity to find role models and mentors. Research job fairs and job boards specific to the cannabis industry.

SEEK INFORMATION AND TRAINING

Subscribe to industry-specific material to stay informed. Know the history, and be well versed in the regulations. Understand the world of cultivation, dispensing and sales. Learn about business in general as well. Become proficient in such things as budgeting, inventory and managing the supply chain. Research formal training programs. Do your homework. Look for related work Think beyond the jobs legal cannabis industry, and consider related roles that introduce you to the field in a different way or that may be a stepping stone to your goals. Explore opportunities in nursing, counseling, technology, marketing, legal services, accounting, hospitality or research and development.

RECOGNIZE TRANSFERABLE SKILLS AND GET REFERENCES If you don’t have direct experience in the cannabis-related trade, identify your transferable skills. Determine where you excel, and promote yourself to existing business owners. Think about basic business skills like communication, technical, interpersonal and time management as well as product knowledge. Get references to back it up. A professional résumé writer can help you put this together.

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GET INVOLVED TO CHANGE THE FUTURE Get to know nonprofit organizations working hard to advance the cause. These grass-roots groups are involved in community outreach, licensing, job creation, social equity programs, omission of nonviolent drug convictions and revenue directed to marginalized communities impacted by the war on drugs. Discover what resources they offer, and get involved if you can. Some host cannabis career days. MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT (MPP)WASHINGTON, D.C. NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE REFORM OF MARIJUANA LAWS (NORML) CHAPTERS ACROSS THE U.S. MINORITY CANNABIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MCBA) OREGON NATIONAL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CANNABIS ALLIANCE CHAPTERS ACROSS THE U.S. MARIJUANA INDUSTRY GROUP (MIG) COLORADO

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

SUCCESS STORIES FOR INSPIRATION Wanda James, CEO of Simply Pure in Denver, Colorado, has a story that may inspire you. In the 1990s, her brother, age 17 at the time, was arrested for possession of 4 1/2 ounces of weed and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The rage she felt about his arrest and hard imprisonment propelled her to open a cannabis retail shop. In a Netflix video, The Business of Drugs, Wanda said her company’s brand “came out of a desire to put a black face on what was considered an illegal market.”

LEAD THE WAY It is time to come from the underground black market and to thrive in the legal cannabis industry. You’ve suffered from wrongful drug laws, been through the system, paid your dues and cleared the path for the cannabis movement. So now you need to reap the rewards and open up new opportunities for the next generation.

Pictured: Wanda James, Simply Pure, CEO

Movements that have fought against racial disparity in the cannabis industry and pushed for forgiveness of marijuana offenses include the Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Initiative and California Proposition 64. There are also groups trying to boost support for legalization of marijuana on the federal level. 56 56

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

CREWNECK TEE

GET YOURS TODAY! ONLY AVAILABLE @

BLACKCANNABISMAGAZINE.COM/SHOP/ 58

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

MARATHON

OG [ Contributor : Lilli Mcintosh ]

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

The

MARATHON Continues

Nipsey Hu$$le may have left this realm, but he continues to “Hussle and Motivate” through his music and his deeds. Hussle’s fellow cannabis connoisseurs can tap in and elevate with his signature strain, Marathon OG.

The Marathon OG strain

is an Indica cultivar inspiration. It’s also a fine tribute to a series of the rapper’s classic mixtapes. The cannabis is a smooth cloud of lemony space and earthen serenity. With each exhale, your senses will get hit heavy.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

THE STORY OF

MARATHON OG Hussle was completely open about his marijuana use. Before his death, he partnered with The Cure Company.

Those who know, understand why the prominent cannabis grower won the High Times Cannabis Cup SOCAL in a few different categories for 2020. A producer of unique blends both medicinal and recreational, The Cure Company worked closely with the rapper to cultivate the strain, Marathon OG

Delivering a sweet, spicy lemon, earthy hit... the hybrid strain is described as fragrant, weighty, and dense. After intake, you can expect a blissful minute or two of acute awareness.

wraps around the ligaments. It will take over, overwhelming your senses with a long-lasting high. Marathon OG’s impact is well received. Our favorite description is the strain hits “like a heavyweight fighter who’s been training for the fight of his life.” If you examine a nug of Nipsey Hussle’s Marathon OG, you’ll see strong coloration. It contains over 20% THC and a lush coating of trichomes on its surface. The strain is aesthetical with electric orange pistils and yellow-green leaves. Break the nug and disperse a

That’s followed by a wondrous burst that starts in the head and

blast of clove aromas and iconic lemon, then take a moment to admire the dark color on the foliage highlighted by caverns of crystals. This is the cure (no pun intended) for relieving pain, promoting relaxation, rest, and encouraging cerebral uplifting. Even the seasoned stoner will feel an impressive difference. A hustla’s gonna experience a full-body quake. It’ll make a day of hustling feel a little less stressful. The Cure Company and Nipsey have produced an exquisite and potent strain. A rugged terpene profile with an immediate intense impact. It’s a wonderful addition to the Nipsey Hussle cannabis legacy. Marathon hits you with the classic OG flava. A fitting tribute to OG Nipsey Hussle.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

THE

HU$$LA Born Ermias Joseph Asghedom aka Nipsey Hussle, came out of South Los Angeles’ Crenshaw district. He went by Hussle most of his life, a nickname bestowed upon him as a teen. He was 14 when he left home to join a subgroup of the Crips. Living the rough life in the hood with the street gangs, young Nipsey could’ve easily gone down another path. His life changed though when, at 19, his father took Nipsey to East Africa. The teen’s father was from Eritrea. Nipsey returned from the trip with a broad, new perspective. He was and would forever be a passionate community activist with a strong drive for entrepreneurship.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

In 2005, Nipsey released a mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1. The success of the tape earned him a contract with Epic. From there, Hussle grew a following by working with the likes of Problem, Snoop Dogg and Drake. The rapper had a powerful sense of independence. In 2010, he refused to renew his record deal. He chose to go back to the studio and release mixtapes on his terms. It would be eight years before the debut album, Victory Lap. That success launched the rapper’s long journey into overnight success. Unfortunately, despite his goals, it seemed the artist couldn’t avoid the hazards of The Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crip gang he grew up with. He’d dispensed with the street and violence. But in March 2019, a former friend, Eric Holder, confronted Hussle in the parking lot of The Marathon Clothing Store, he owned. The meeting ended with Hussle shot dead.

THE MARATHON

CONTINUES

The Marathon OG strain comes from one of weed culture’s beloved artists and a leader in weed production. The collaborative result is great for mood boosting, encouraging rest and relieving pain. Regardless of why they partake, the smoker will appreciate the taste and impact of the Nipsey Hussle cannabis legacy. The buds are dense. The nugs are fluffy with a minty green hue. The nugs have thick orange hairs along with a dense coat of white trichomes. We suggest the novice go at this one with a little caution. The high percentage of THC will blow your mind. This strain is a phenotype of OG Kush. It acts fast and heavy and

will stay with you for hours. As it fades, you’ll experience a lock with a smooth sensation. Considering its after effects, Nipsey Hussle’s Marathon OG is ideal for sufferers of stress, chronic fatigue, depression, spasms, cramps and severe, chronic pain.

LAST

THOUGHT Nipsey Hussle’s Marathon OG, keeps the legend alive. Nipsey would appreciate seeing the blueprint he laid still flourishing. After all, he was a hustla. 64

He had his eye on growth. Hussle opened businesses in South Los Angeles for underserved communities. In a short span of time he put together The Marathon Clothing Store, as well as Vector 90, a working space. He used the name “Marathon” for his creative marketing agency. The name wasn’t an accident. Nipsey was running, heading for the next move. The legend was laser-focused on building an empire that elevated both him and the BIPOC community. He hustled. Thanks to Marathon OG, the marathon continues.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/ Getty Images for Warner Music

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

the BEST

songs

Contributor: Rachel Edwards

cannabis and music are a match made in heaven. Over the years, some of the greatest musicians have written and belted amazing tunes about marijuana.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

Redman and Method Man never made secret their love for weed, and in this classic marijuana anthem, they promise to get high, but how high? “Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane (It’s the Funk Doctor Spock smokin’ buddah on the train) How high? (So high that I can kiss the sky)…”

Redman / Methodman

How High

The samples of lyrics by Styles P tell it all. Good Times is a classic stoners’ anthem. Styles was showcasing his love for marijuana using his lyrical genius, and it worked magic. The song reached #22 on the Top 100 Chart and was remixed twice. “I get high, I get high, I get high, I get high. I get high on your memory, high on your memory

What’s on your Playlist?

I take a blunt, just to ease the pain that humbled me now (whew)”

Styles P

good Times

@blackcannabismagazine ------ #WEEDTHEMEDSONGS ------

“Smokin’ weed out the container…” “Is it hot in here or is it just me? I’m so high in here, been smokin’ on this weed.”

>>>

SATIVA JHENE AIKO WHY WE LOVE ‘SATIVA’

Sativa is a banger by the multi-talented Jhene Aiko off the album While We Were Young, released in January 2018. In the song, Aiko proclaims her love for weed, making this one of the most popular modern weed-themed songs. The Fisticuffs-track features Swae Lee and it instantly grew into a stoner’s anthem. While the song is sweet and mellow, it still rocks on many house parties worldwide because of the strong cannabis vibe. It’s an easy song to get high on with friends or just relaxing alone.

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

The mention of Snoop Dogg conjures the image of the skinny rapper smoking weed. In 1994, Snoop gave the world one of the most famous weed anthems as he raps about smoking indo (cannabis that’s grown indoors) and gin.

Snoop Dogg

Gin & Juice

“Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice

Rick james

Mary Jane

Laid back (with my mind on my money and my money on my mind)”

“I’m in love with Mary Jane She’s my main thing She makes me feel alright She makes my heart sing And when I’m feeling low She comes as no surprise Turns me on with her love Takes me to paradise, do you love me Mary Jane?”

This single line from Gorilla Glue by the Da Baby reveals he’s in love with weed. Gorilla glue is a strain of cannabis that’s high in T.H.C. and CBD. It’s popular with accomplished stoners. If you like that extra high and don’t go for a reggie, this is the song you’ll easily relate to.

Gorilla Glue

“Just got some gorilla glue it came with seeds, I’m a pop em out and act like its O.G.”

the BEST

Kendrick Lamar is one of the best rappers in the game today. When the lyrical genius collaborates with the best producer, the end product is a fantastic weed anthem. In the lyrics, Kendrick waxes lyrical about his life and still celebrates his city and love for weed. “But nothing like my hometown I’m forever living

Kendrick Lamar feat Dr. Dre

The Recipe

This marijuana song boasts multiple remixes by top artists. It’s such great music you need to celebrate counties throwing out marijuana convictions.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Da Baby

This song defined punkfunk back in the 1970s, and today, it has grown into one of the most recognized weedthemed songs. Rick James turns a weed song into an act of seduction, and you just have to love the rhythm. If you’re high, you can serenade your joint and call it Mary Jane as you have fun.

Women, weed and weather (They come for) women, weed and weather. For the women, weed and weather (From all around the world for the) women, weed and weather Got that women, weed and weather Don’t it sound clever, come and play What more can I say? Welcome to L.A.” 68

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

Missy Elliot

Pass that Dutch

The song’s title and the chorus are enough to make any weed lover stand up and dance. Whenever Missy Elliot went into the studio with her hommie Timbaland, you always expected a banger. In 2003, the duo “Pass that Dutch” gave the world one of the weed anthems. It went on to reach the top 10 in the Rap Charts. Today, this remains one of the best songs about marijuana and you can always play it at your party.

For anyone who loves Rick James’

Jane, it’s easy to fall in love “Smokin’ weed out theMary with D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar. container…” It’s a unique sampling of James’ original from the 70s, and works

“Is it hot in here or is itwonders. For D’Angelo, weed is a just me? girl and she gets the singer high I’m so high in here, been smokin’ on this weed.” D’Angelo

bROWN sUGAR

“Brown Sugar babe, I gets high off your love I don’t know how to behave I want some of your Brown Sugar (sugar)

“Pass that dutch (ah), pass that dutch (ooh) Pass that dutch (ah), pass that dutch (ah)”

I want some of your Brown Sugar (sugar)…”

If you want to enjoy some weed with Yukmouth and Numskull, be ready to chip in with some cash. This is a classicmarijuanathemed song, yet many people worldwide still jam to it without an idea what it means. The duo said they wanted to camouflage the meaning of weed to make the song more acceptable, but in the end they got a weed anthem that still lives to date.

Luniz

I got 5 On It

every time. You’ll never get a better personification of weed in such a mellow voice.

JAMES JOINT RIHANNA

“I got five on it (Got it good!) Grab your fo’, let’s get keyed I got five on it. Messin with that endo weed! I got five on it (Got it good1)

I got five on it. Potnah, let’s go half on a sack!”

“I’d rather be smoking weed Whenever we breathe Every time you kiss me Don’t say that you miss me Just come get me”

When one of the most iconic marijuana advocates joins one of the best hip hop producers, you expect a classic jam. This is what you get with the Next Episode released in 1999. Dre and Snoop have never hidden their love for weed, and it comes out clearly in this marijuana anthem.

dR. dRE

tHE nEXT ePISODE

>>>

It’s got me stuck, and I’m tow back

‘JAMES JOINT’ IS A SLOW BURNER

When thinking of artists who have extolled weed in their art, Rihanna wouldn’t come to mind. However, her song James Joint written by James Fauntleroy, tells of her experience while enjoying a joint. Her beautiful voice makes this a lovely song to sing along to when getting stoned.

“What? What? What? What? So blaze the weed up then, blaze it up, blaze it up! Just blaze that shit up, nigga! Yeah, ’sup, Snoop?”

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

To say that Young Thug is one of the most underrated rappers would be an understatement. Despite being in the game for long and making great music, other more visible rappers have always eclipsed him. His 2014 weed-themed banger Stoner is the closest fans came to appreciate who this talented artist is all about. It’s an introspective look at his life, and while at it, Young Thug gives the world awesome black cannabis music.

Young Thug

Stoner

“Ayy, ayy, this that stoner music, nigga Stoner! (This my damn bit!) Stoner (Let’s get it) I’m a stoner, I’m a stoner, I’m a stoner (I’m a stoner) I’m a stoner, I’m a stoner, I’m a stoner (Stoner!)”

Produced by DJ Muggs in 1993, Hits from the Bong is a classic weed song and remains popular with stoners to date. This is perfect for stoners who want a relaxed vibe when getting high. Well, bongs might not be popular with weed smokers but Cypress Hill made a case for the apparatus.

Cypress Hill

Hits from the Bong

“Do you want to get high? Does everybody want to get high? Pick it, pack it Fire it up, come along And take a hit from the bong Put the blunt down just for a second Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a new method Inhale, exhale”

E-40 is credited for giving marijuana the slang name broccoli, but D.R.A.M gave it prominence with his song by the same title. The collaboration with Lil Yachty is all about talking up success through a feel-good anthem. This has slowly evolved into a weed-inspired song that you can play at your party. “In the cut I’m rolling up my broccoli

D.R.A.M

Broccoli

Ya I know your baby mama fond of me All she want to do is smoke that broccoli…”

Wiz Khalifa & Snoop Dogg ft, Bruno Mars

Young Wild and Free What happens when you bring two of the most famous weed lovers into the same track? Magic, of course, and this is what happens in Young Wild and Free. When Wiz Khalifa meets his weedloving mentor Snoop Dogg, you expect a weed anthem. Bruno Mars on the chorus adds to the banger’s flow. The cannabis anthem celebrates life, smoking weed, and having fun. “So what we get drunk? So what we smoke weed? We’re just having fun. We don’t care who sees So what we go out? That’s how it’s supposed to be Living young and wild and free”

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

50 Cent is renowned for speaking his mind, and this is what he does in this weed song. It’s all about celebrating weed and its place in the rapper life. “I’m high all the time, I smoke that good shit I stay high all the time, man, I’m on some hood shit

50 Cent

High All the Time

Give me some dro, purple haze and some chocolate Give me a dutch and a lighter, I’ll spark shit And stay high all the time, I smoke that good shit

This energetic single by Sean Paul celebrates his successes in his life. In it, the Jamaican reggae artist confesses that smoking weed is part of his celebration of success. It’s a fun song to listen to as you have fun and get stoned. “Everyday we be burnin’ not concernin’ what nobody wanna say.

Sean Paul

We Be Burnin

We be earnin’ dollars turning ’cause we mind de pon we pay.”

Ludacris is one of the most prolific rappers and it’s easy to overlook some of his works. Blueberry Yum Yum, a collaboration with Sleepy Brown off the album Red Light District, hails weed on the rapper’s spirit. It’s a “lift me up” for him. Get your lighters, roll that sticky, let’s get higher (Let’s get higher)

Ludacris ft. Sleepy Brown

Blueberry Yum Yum

Got that blueberry yum yum and it’s that fire (It’s that fire) 71

WRAPPING UP Of course, there are hundreds of other great weedthemed songs. This means stoners will never suffer a dull moment when getting high or relaxing and reflecting. With artists across genres daring to voice their support for weed, you can bet stoner anthems will keep coming. And where else to get the scoop on the best weed news than on the Black Cannabis Magazine? Subscribe today to get the latest news on everything weed in the black community. From cannabis investments, legalization news to marijuana in popular culture, get the latest scoop here.

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

DRIVEN BY NECESSITY An Exclusive At-Home Interview w/

Contributors: Hazey Taughtme & K. Michael Williams Photography: MASCKO Photography

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

THE QUESTION TO ASK ABOUT WHOOPI GOLDBERG IS SIMPLE:

What Motivates Her?

fter all, it takes outstanding amounts of motivation to track the course she has. Hazey Taughtme decided to personally ask Whoopi where she derives her motivation now that she’s tackling the cannabis industry with her Emma & Clyde cannabis brand.

“Necessity made me get into the cannabis industry. I was hearing about what all these guys were doing, and I kept asking, “what was being done for women?”

As she told Hazey during an insightful and meaningful meeting, Goldberg’s motivation has always been driven by necessity.

Goldberg enters the cannabis industry for women everywhere. The cannabis industry seems to consider women a niche market. If you need evidence of that, take a look around at how many products aimed at women exist versus those clearly targeting a masculine market. Whoopi Goldberg has never been one to take such prejudices without a fight. To hear her tell it, women — especially women of color — have been left high and dry by the cannabis industry, necessitating her entry.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

MOTHER & DAUGHTER

Whoopi Goldberg and Alex Martin team up to develop their new brand, Emma & Clyde by WhoopFam! The new cannabis brand was created out of the need for more high quality cannabis products that address pain management for women.

Photo Credit: A.M.P.A.S./AdMedia 75

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

I was told that was a “niche” market, nobody is going to do that. I pointed out that that niche market is actually half the population on the planet.”

There are already plenty of cannabis products out there, many of which women enjoy today.

What makes Goldberg’s entry different? For starters, she’s squarely focused on using cannabis medicinally for a use case specific to women — menstrual cramp relief. Not every woman has painful menstrual cramps, but they know someone who does.

That was really the reason I got into this business. To provide much-needed to women who need it. 76

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

It’s as important for a black woman to be in this industry as it is for black women to be in any industry. If you see a place where you fit, why shouldn’t you be there? Everyone else is. When considering that women make up half the earth’s population, and well over 20% of them regularly suffer from menstrual cramps, Goldberg’s intervention appears both necessary and well-timed. Today, many states are finally going legal at both medical and recreational levels with a more cannabis-friendly administration. Given these positive missives, once niche markets are about to be revealed for the underserved yet ripe for opportunity markets they’ve been all along. With all this talk about markets, you might think Whoopi was in it for the cash. That couldn’t be further from the truth. She’s making this intervention to stake a claim for women everywhere, bring positive change to a maledominated landscape, and create new opportunities for women.

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

With the introduction of new cannabis products via her Emma & Clyde brand,

Goldberg sets the stage for women’s health to be taken seriously by the cannabis industry. Today, menstrual cramps are rarely recognized as a true medical condition deserving of prescription medication. Millions of women worldwide are forced to treat cramps with overthe-counter pharmaceuticals and lack access to quality medication just because medical boards, doctors, and others won’t recognize their pain. People believe that menstrual cramps are not real pain. And as long as that is true, nobody’s fighting it. So, you know, we fight with legislators all the time.

It’s about quality of life issues. Which is what, for me, medical marijuana is about. It’s about the quality of your life.

When it comes to things for women, why won’t you be the person who finds it and creates it and makes it? -Goldberg on why she entered the cannabis industry

“You don’t necessarily need to take giant pills to get rid of pain or any kind of other issue when there is the possibility that the medical marijuana can do that for you. So, you don’t have to take a narcotic to get rid of pain. You might be able to just rub something on and that gets rid of the pain. And it’s a fight that women in particular have to have, because we have lots of people saying, well that’s not real. You have to fight that.”

Whoopi’s fight to bolster women’s voices and needs in the cannabis industry touches upon the broader picture of equal representation for all within the cannabis industry. It’s a fight she’s passionate about, as evidenced the wealth of knowledge she dropped on our interviewer.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

ABOUT THE BRAND

Whoopi’s Brand:

Emma & Clyde BY WHOOPFAM!

named after her mother and older brother, Emma & Clyde brings consistency, quality and character in its line of products.

COMING TO A CANNABIS RETAIL STORE NEAR YOU.

Canada, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, & more Pictured: Eighth ounce cannabis flower packaging (Indica) from Emma & Clyde

Pictured: Half ounce cannabis flower packaging (Sativa) from Emma & Clyde

Pictured: 1g Cannabis flower packaging (Sativa) from Emma & Clyde

Emma & Clyde is wholly dedicated to providing medical and recreational consumers with the highest overall quality, consistency, and innovation in the cannabis industry.

Pictured: High quality vaporizer pen (Sativa) from Emma & Clyde

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

GOLDBERG ON

Social equity in the cannabis industry For Whoopi Goldberg, being a black woman entering the cannabis industry has raised her own awareness of the long road social equity must walk yet. Rather than feel daunted on account of the miles ahead, she understands that someone has to start the fight — and it might as well be her. In Goldberg’s view, medical marijuana is a global healer. As she sagely spoke to us, she emphasized that race aside, “the medicine is the thing.”

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

CONTINUED

“social equity to me, also means justice for the neighborhood.”

“Perhaps by focusing on creating and delivering muchneeded quality medicine, we can heal our communities and simultaneously bring them growth by reinvesting success in them.” “I like to make sure that anything I’m involved with is really going to benefit the people in their own neighborhoods. One of the big problems that I see with dispensaries is that you can’t have 50 dispensaries within a 2 block radius. You just can’t. And you should be talking to the neighborhoods and saying, here’s what we are going to do. You’re going to have a 2% ownership in this. So you feel that this is part of you and part of the neighborhood we’re in. Because social equity to me, also means justice for the neighborhood.”

Going beyond growth for growth’s sake and intertwining a community’s health with a cannabis business’s success may seem revolutionary to some. But for Goldberg, it’s just about doing right by the people who support you, and bringing them along for the ride. “Creating healthy communities, socially equitable communities, goes further than simple economic investment and incentives. Wellness is integral to a community’s prosperity and speaks to why Goldberg believes producing accessible top-tier medicinal cannabis products is a must.

Her holistic view of wellness, a significant part of which involves treating oneself with cannabis, is inspired in part by a frustrating contradiction stemming from society’s view of marijuana.

“God created the Earth, right? This is growing out of the earth. So, what is the issue? God created it.”

I go out and say...try this, because I know it works, because I’ve used it, you know. You have to be able to stand behind something you create. I’m a big proponent of medicinal oil....because there are a lot of kids in hospitals that could be using [medicinal cannabis] oil. There are a lot of adults who could be using our rubs...whose properties are very simple. The plant is the property.”

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

WRAP-UP

Whoopi & Haze In Whoopi’s view, once we make peace with the fact that cannabis grows from the very Earth upon which we stand, we’ll be in a much better place to heal ourselves by recognizing “...the gift of God’s abundance on Earth, which includes all kinds of medicines.” With that, Hazey Taughtme and Whoopi Goldberg concluded their conversation for Black Cannabis Magazine with well wishes and a plan to catch up again soon. 82

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

Together we can Create social equity, social justice, and diversity for those affected by the War on Drugs. our mission is to create an ethical and equitable cannabis industry to reduce barriers contributing to the lack of representation of those most impacted by the War on Drugs, including people of color and other marginalized community members.

LEARN MORE AT

WWW.THENDICA.ORG (888) 420-1540 LOS ANGELES

FRESNO

OKLAHOMA CITY

NATIONAL DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CANNABIS ALLIANCE

CHICAGO

COLUMBUS

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

In the US, the prohibition of marijuana at the federal level is one hell of a long-lasting ban that has its origins not in safety, but racism.

APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

Cannabis DEMONIZED: ( Slavery Rebranded ) Contributor: Hazey Taughtme

he history of cannabis is, no doubt,

What the Racial History of Cannabis Can Teach Us Today

What changed? To find out, a deeper

a long one. We know this because

inquiry into the racial history of cannabis

radiocarbon dating techniques have found

is needed. Then, and only then, can a

ancient cannabis in 3,000 year-old burial

reckoning with that history be had, along

sites.

with the creation of a properly modern context for thinking about weed and race.

However, the social history of cannabis

The beginning of marijuana prohibition

is another story — and one about which very little is known. Throughout the

In the US, the prohibition of marijuana

years, cannabis has been demonized as

at the federal level is one hell of a long-

a drug used by “inferior races and social

lasting ban that has its origins not in

deviants.” In other words, the history of

safety, but racism. Contrary to what you

cannabis tells us white people didn’t use it

may have been taught in school, not all

because it was beneath them.

government policies are rooted in some form of objective concern for your well-

Yet as we find today, cannabis is a

being.

burgeoning industry creating new wealth the world over. Moreover, it so happens the industry is currently monopolized by white folks who, ironically, just recently finished with the notion that only Blacks and Mexicans use cannabis.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

No, in the case of cannabis, the deep-rooted bigotry of Harry Anslinger, Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, is squarely to blame. Anslinger used marijuana as a bogey man to aim at a larger target — the mass incarceration and subjugation of Blacks and predominantly Latino immigrants. During the 1930s, Anslinger started a nationwide campaign by calling for the prohibition of marijuana-based on its creation of “social evils” and its ability to “...make darkies think they’re as good as white men.” In fact, Anslinger was “...so racist that he was regarded

as a crazy racist in the 1920s.” After all, this was the man who targeted jazz musicians in the extreme, had plotted to arrest and expose as many of them for drug use as possible, handcuffed Billie Holiday while she died, and called jazz music satanic.

Harry Anslinger played a large part in the criminalization of cannabis by using it as racist propaganda tool to target black and brown communities.

By 1937, Anslinger’s Marihuana Tax Act rolled into effect, creating the era of prohibition that still reverberates today. 86

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jazz icon Billie Holiday was targeted by government agents for her popularity, and refusing to stay quiet about racism.

The legacy of dope-smoking jazz musicians Jazz revolutionized race relations, perceptions of Black artistry, and had the largest impact on music since the classical days of Beethoven.

not just cannabis

Yet the strong connection between

threatened the top-down social

cannabis and the jazz era of

order most white Americans

the roaring 1920s and 30s is

counted on. In the early 20th

often overlooked, despite that

century south, memories of

connection proving pivotal for

slavery were none too distant,

prohibition, but the suppression of Black communities as well. At the time, Black communities in the deep south where jazz music blossomed were showing signs of prosperity that

making it difficult for some to accept the increasingly expressive and independent Black culture forming around jazz and blues. During the same period, alcohol prohibition also meant that free-flowing jazz musicians and

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

clubs looked elsewhere for a substance that might inspire creativity, nurture an open mind, and clear away inhibitions for all-night affairs in clubs and ballrooms. Cannabis proved to be just such a substance — moreover, it was relatively cheap, very accessible, and produced in great abundance. Jazz inspired free thinkers, and, like today, the free thinkers also fueled their explorations with cannabis.

cannabis-related offenses have historically been used to target and subjugate Black communities.

In a few short years, the expansion of jazz’s reach became nothing short of revolutionary, something made evident by a single glance into many prohibitionera New York night clubs. People, regardless of race, mixed and mingled with one another. The rich and the poor, the famous and the infamous, the Black and the white.

Jazz and cannabis dismantled barriers that were thought to exist — and this very fact alone frightened racist legislators like Anslinger right down to their awful core. In notes to himself, Anslinger said that jazz sounded like “...the jungles in the dead of night.”

It’s easy to see why jazz — an improvised art borne of untethered, free expression — scared racists like Anslinger and many other white Americans at the time. Rather than give the wild impulses of jazz more room to breathe, government bureaucrats opted 88

to stifle it in the hopes of slowing what they perceived to be the anarchic mix of races, and the degradation of white America. To accomplish this end, the marijuana prohibition was enforced as a means for quickly and easily arresting any and all violators knowing full well in advance that the first to fall would be jazz men and women. Anslinger once told congressional authorities

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that his marijuana measures wouldn’t affect “good musicians, just the jazz type.”

After creating and enforcing the marijuana prohibition, Anslinger focused his ire on jazz singer Billie Holiday after she infamously wrote and performed Strange Fruits, an anti-racism anthem to end all anthems. Holiday’s popularity and refusal to stay quiet about racism proved to be her undoing as government agents conspired and succeeded in destroying her career over drug charges. All the while, white musicians using the same substances were given a wink and a pass. Using cannabis as the pretext to justify mass incarcerations Everything Anslinger had done to demonize and legislate against cannabis set the stage for the Boggs Act in 1951. In effect, the Boggs Act created mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines for drug offenses. Combined with a strong penchant for policing Black communities with an aim to subdue them,

the Boggs Act singlehandedly generated the mass incarceration precedent that persists today within minority communities. The Boggs Act meant two to ten years in prison as a minimum for a first marijuana-related offense. A few years later, the Narcotics Control Act in 1956 increased mandatory minimums to five years incarceration for a first offense, and ten years for every subsequent drug charge. It should come as no surprise that mandatory minimums for drug-related offenses disproportionately affected Black communities to the extent that a staggering one in three Black men were likely to be imprisoned.

In the same year, it was found that Black people were jailed at a 5x higher rate than white people for the same offenses. However, since the repeal of mandatory minimums and the decriminalization of cannabis became mainstream across states, the Black imprisonment rate has dropped by a third. The steep decline in the imprisonment rate also corresponds to a narrowing of the gap between Black and white prisoners, though even today, there is very little to celebrate.

By 2010, the Fair Sentencing Act ceased all mandatory minimums for drug-related offenses at the federal level.

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Currently, Black people make up just 12% of the total population, yet constitute 33% of the prison population. In contrast, white people represent 63% of the total population, but only 30% of prisoners. Interestingly enough, the decline in Black prisoners might also be due to the War on Drugs reorienting its gaze to focus on drugs white people use in far greater numbers. Prescription opioid abuse and the meth epidemic line up with a 27% rise in drug offenses for white people during the same period of decline in related offenses for black people.Put another way, Black and other non-white minority inmates make up 37% of the total US population, but account for over 70% of incarcerated prisoners. Mandatory minimums and the War on Drugs did little to reduce the cultivation, circulation, and use of cannabis, but accomplished unspeakable amounts of damage to Black lives and families everywhere. Beginning in 2003, states like Michigan, New York, and

Rhode Island rolled back their mandatory minimums, making the obvious more obvious as the policy changes led to prison populations abruptly declining by as much as 17%. The drop in both prison populations and crime in the states that dropped mandatory minimums put to bed the inherently racist notion that strict policing and sentencing leads to safer communities..

The takeaway So what do Harry Anslinger, mandatory minimums, and incarceration rates all have in common with race and cannabis?

It’s clear that cannabis-related offenses have historically been used to target and subjugate Black communities. Moreover, the racial history of cannabis shows the unfortunate power and consequences of racially motivated governance and policing. Now that cannabis has been decriminalized and legalized in several states, the industry’s acceptance as legitimate takes on an ironic posture for many Black Americans. After years of being prosecuted and having their lives destroyed for the possession of a now indemand plant, Black Americans

are poorly positioned to take advantage of the cannabis industry’s wealth creation.

Unsurprisingly, white people own over 95% of cannabis businesses today after having been spared the devastation of the War on Drugs and targeted policing. Rather than feel powerless under the weight of historically detrimental and entirely racist policies, we should vow to understand this history, never repeat it, and push with strength for true social equity in the cannabis industry. Social equity advocates see the current moment as an opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to harness involvement in the cannabis industry. A renewed spotlight on social justice thanks to the Black Lives Matter movement means momentum is on the side of effecting real equitable change that demands the participation of Black and people of color everywhere.

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Modern Day “Reefer Madness” March 2021

“If you legalize marijuana, you’re going to kill your kids”

BLACKCANNABISMAGAZINE.COM/SHOP/

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

retail shop

Contributor: Charles Bias

Stay lit. That’s the motto of one of

Los Angeles’ best cannabis retail shops — Litco.

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Located in the heart of DTLA

Most importantly however, Litco is one of the few Black-owned cannabis brands in California.

Litco is everything a cannabis connoisseur could dream of. From an outstanding selection of compliant marijuana products to an endless list of celebrity patrons, Litco is the place to see and be seen.

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Litco vs. Everybody

Get Lit

Rez, the founder of Litco, describes the humble beginnings of the Litco empire as a fight against traditional society. From the harassment of law enforcement to the city’s lawmakers, Rez has always been up-against-thewall and an underdog in his journey as a cannabis entrepreneur.

By Delivery or Storefront Litco offers two ways of getting lit.Either head to the storefront on Flower Street or get your goods delivered directly.

Now, everyone wants to be a part of Litco’s undeniable success. Media brands want to film inside Litco, and unaffiliated dispensaries wish to share Litco’s name. As you can see, Litco is doing something right.

See and Be Seen at Litco Sightseeing is half the fun of heading to Litco’s retail shop on the aptly-named Flower Street. During your visit, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll run into a famous artist, skater, or poet. Litco’s rep is bolstered because Rez connects various cultures with a single unifying aspect — the love for weed. The list of notable figures perusing Litco’s high-end weed products are Mos Def, Offset, India Love, Freeway Rick Ross, and many more. The fact is — nobody can resist the temptation of going to LA’s most low-key cannabis retail shop.

Flower Street DT LA 94

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Get Lifted With LA’s Best Cannabis Products Open 7-days a week; you’ll find some of the best cannabis products at Litco. Here’s a list of brands that are well worth a try on your next visit:

Cosmic Edibles Beezle x Connected Concentrates Friendly Farms Kaizen Extracts West Coast Cure Co. The Cure Company Tical Punch Bar Ronen

Furthermore, Litco produces in-house cannabis products that stand toe-to-toe with the best.

The examples mentioned above are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of Litco’s sheer variety of cannabis products.

By visiting Litco, customers can experience LA’s cannabis culture while supporting one of the few Black-owned marijuana brands.

@shoplitco

From cannabinoids, terpenes, and everything in between, Litco presents a cornucopia of marijuana products at your fingertips. Overall, Angelenos are blessed with unlimited access to the cannabis industry’s finest products.

litcostaylit.com

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cultivator

Contributor: K. Michael Williams

Bryant Mitchell A Blaq Star Cultivating Blackness in Cannabis 96

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Blaqstar Farms

Bryant Mitchell is the founder of Blaqstar Farms. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Blaqstar has four licensed locations encompassing more than 60,000 square feet. But that wouldn’t be if the entrepreneur hadn’t craved the path he wanted to walk.

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Mitchell had 16 years in project management, business consulting, operations efficiency and process design. He worked for Deloitte Touche, Accenture PLC and IBM Strategy. Operating primarily in oil and gas, he learned from the ground up how to design operations. Skills that Mitchell put to work on his vision for better marijuana. Mitchell wanted a product that was clean with the right taste and smell. He wanted sustainability. A brotha investigated legacy strains, aiming for quality over quantity and weight. Harvests were lab tested until he had a growth with the taste and smell he wanted.

The Vision to Make it Positive Building the business in positive ways was important to Mitchell. “I wanted to create a brand that changed the negativity around all things Black and promoted strength and excellence in the Black community,” he says.

Building His 40 Acres

Mitchell owned a dispensary in L.A. He wasn’t happy. Couldn’t get behind the quality of his weed. Mitchell had learned the craft of winery in Sonoma. Knowledge he’d take with him for growing weed. Knowledge that inf luenced his desire for clean, consistent medicinal cannabis.

He’s the son of Orange, Texas’s first black police officer. At an early age, he swore off drugs because of the devastation it inf licted on family and friends. He’d change his mind, but he stuck to bluntz. He focused on education, grabbing an MBA from the University of Chicago. While working in the Bay Area in 2004, a friend coaxed Mitchell to check out the cannabis space. Mitchell started smoking to manage pain.

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The Vision to Make it Positive (continued)

It was through this use that Mitchell understood the immediacy of legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. “It can help us clean our environment, provide medical benefits, and along with hemp, change the industrial landscape for the betterment of the planet. Last, it can help right some of the wrongs created by the War on Drugs, etc.” Mitchell had 16 years in project management, business consulting, operations efficiency and process design. He worked for Deloitte Touche, Accenture PLC and IBM Strategy. Operating primarily in oil and gas, he learned from the ground up how to design operations. Skills that Mitchell put to work on his vision for better marijuana.

investigated legacy strains, aiming for quality over quantity and weight. Harvests were lab tested until he had a growth with the taste and smell he wanted

Brotha Gonna Work It Out Mitchell had to overcome serious financial challenges to get his vision on track. At the time, banks weren’t rushing to fund cannabis. Nor were they leaping to hand a brotha money. “Imagine trying to get it for a business that we are historically put behind bars more than anyone and is federally illegal.”

in the warehouse where he grew product, utilizing safe practices under the idea if his chemicals hurt him they’d hurt his customers. Mitchell was innovative, focused and determined. That drive put Blaqstar on the billion-dollar cannabis industry map. “We’ve been doing this the right way for years. ... I’d love to be one of the first, if not the first, African American company to be listed on the stock market exchange for cannabis.” He’ll do it too.

Mitchell bypassed conventional financing. He used personal money and investments from friends. Mitchell drove 450 miles two times a week to watch and learn wine distillation practices. He applied them to growing marijuana concentrates. The man lived

Mitchell wanted a product that was clean with the right taste and smell. He wanted sustainability. A brotha

@blaqstarfarms 100

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Corvain Cooper:

Life After Death The Story of a Black Man Facing Life Imprisonment for Cannabis

This is the story of a black man incarcerated for life for cannabis. Yes, life in prison for a plant! Corvain Cooper was a young man just trying to do what’s best for his family. As an entrepreneur with a new clothing line, he had everything going for him. Unfortunately, he had a past that eventually caught up with him. While he was wrongly accused of nonviolent cannabis-related crimes, his became a victim of California’s “Three-Strikes” law.

Contributor: Michelle Harris Photography by: RJ Johnson & Emily Eizen Wardrobe Styling: Elle Jeffrey Stylz

>>>

While he served time in prison away from his family, a cannabis brand was created on his behalf. The attention he received from

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many advocates and supporters who believed that he was unjustly imprisoned, led to his release from prison following a commutation by former President Donald Trump. Today, cannabis has been legalized in many states and is currently a multi-billion dollar industry in California. While there are people profiting off of the sales of cannabis, there are more just like Corvain who are still serving sentences that they should not. While Corvain’s story shows what can be accomplished when people and organizations band together, there’s still much work to be done – this is a start!

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Life in prison for a plant?

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At age 34, Corvain was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for drug trafficking.

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>>>

Corvain Cooper’s Life & Upbringing

Corvain’s Youth 1979 to 1997

Corvain Cooper was born on November 2, 1979 at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, California. In the 1980s, his father, Tony Cooper, was a drug dealer and his mother, Barbara Dillard (now known as Barbara Tillis), was a drug addict. He was raised primarily by his grandmother in a South Central Los Angeles neighborhood full of gangs and violence. Instead of joining the Crips or Bloods, young Corvain focused his efforts on hustling like an entrepreneur. Corvain had the good fortune of attending Hollywood High School to participate in their performing arts program. He got very good grades and was a very popular student known for his fashion sense. Once he graduated high school in 1997, he found himself drawn to a lifestyle of crime.

Corvain’s First Bouts with the Law 1997 to 2012 Corvain started out doing petty crimes just to make ends meet, but it wasn’t long before he moved on to harder crimes like credit card fraud. In 2004, he was introduced to cannabis. He and friend began selling marijuana for a major drug dealer. They’d buy an eight of weed and split into three $20-bags to sell. While started out at the bottom, over the years he worked his up in the cannabis business. From 1998 to 2011, Corvain was convicted for many crimes from petty theft to forgery. It wasn’t until 2011, that he was first arrested for possessing a brick of cannabis and unprescribed codeine cough syrup. He served about a year in a state prison and was release in 2012. Instead of going back to crime, he indicated that he’d learned his lesson. He went back to

his entrepreneurial roots and started his own clothing line called Old Money. At the time, he also had two daughters to raise and was focused on he and his fiance’s family.

Corvain is Sentenced to Life in Prison 2013 to 2021 In 2013, a year of starting Old Money and staying away from crime, Corvain found himself stuck with a life sentence. While getting ready to take his oldest daughter to a drill team competition, federal agents arrived at his home and arrested him. Apparently, one of his old friends from childhood had been arrested and given the opportunity to have a shorter prison sentence in exchange for 100 names. Corvain fought the charges in court because he was no longer in the business. Unfortunately, in spite of a trial, he was charged with being responsible for all of the cannabis that was transported from California to North Carolina by the entire group of people whose names his friend had provided. At age 34, Corvain was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of payrol for drug trafficking. All told, he was found “guilty of money laundering, tax evasion and conspiracy to distribute more than one ton of marijuana.” 107

The “Three Strikes” Law

The “Three Strikes” law or statute falls under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The law provides for “mandatory life imprisonment if a convicted felon: (1) has been convicted in federal court of a “serious violent felony”; and (2) has two or more previous convictions in federal or state courts, at least one of which is a serious violent felony (the other offense may be a serious drug offense).” Although there had been questions and controversies as to the effectiveness of this law, more than half of all states have enacted the law. Considerable variety existed among states as to how they set up the law in terms of how the strikes are defined and how many are required.

one of the others who were named were charged with being the ringleader or life in prison. In fact, many had been let go years before Corvain was freed. Corvain’s conviction fell under California’s “Three Strikes” Law because he had received two prior felony convictions for drug offenses. A memo to the Obama administration asking that no enhanced sentences be given to those with nonviolent drug offences resulted in no change before his trial. In 2017, Corvain’s sentences were reduced from felonies to misdemeanors as a result of a change in California’s laws; however, North Carolina courts refused to reduce his sentence.

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Corvain’s Case Becomes a Nationwide Media Frenzy Through a number of avenues, Corvain’s case begin to make headway from lawyers and activists all the way to the White House. While his mother and family continued to support and cheer on his release, nobody would imagine how far all the combined efforts would actually reach.

California’s Amended Law

California Law Of all states, California’s “Three Strike” law was the most far-reaching one. It required “a defendant convicted of any new felony, having suffered one prior conviction of a serious felony to be sentenced to state prison for twice the term otherwise provided for the crime. If the defendant was convicted of any felony with two or more prior strikes, the law mandated a state prison term of at least 25 years to life.” California’s law was originally enacted in 1994 but later amended in 2012.

In 2012, the amended law changed to require the new felony to be one of a serious or violent nature before being convicted for 25 years to life. In addition, the amendment allowed for defendants to petition to have their current sentence reduced from a third strike to a second strike sentence if they would have been eligible for second strike sentencing had the amendment been in effect at the time of their sentencing.

The Launch of 40 Tons Cannabis

>>>

Black-owned 40 Tons Cannabis was thrilled to announce the release of Corvain. Loriel Alegrete, the founder of 40 Tons, knew all to well what it’s like for a man with a family to be unjustly incarcerated. Her husband had spent time in federal prison for a cannabis-related crime, and she felt compelled to do all she could to support and advocate for the release of Corvain. This injustice and the harshness of the “Three Strikes” law that resulted in a life sentence for Corvain is exactly why she launched the brand in 2020. It was Corvain’s appeal attorney Patrick Meagro that put out a petition, and with the help of 40 Tons and other organizations, it recieved nationwide attention to Corvain’s case.

In the case of Corvain, his prior convictions had been reduced from felonies to misdemeanors, which means he’d have no strikes on his record. If he were tried for the same crime today, he would not have been given a life in prison sentence.

As a brand, 40 Tons touts itself as being socially conscious. On their website, front and center, they ask the question: “Life in prison for a plant?” They refer to Corvain and the many people spending time behind bars for nonviolent cannabis offenses while others continue to freely profit from the cannabis industry. They continue to advocate for changes in the following laws, which they note have changed the lives of many forever: Restorative Justice, Cannabis Legalization, Reduced Sentencing and Rehabilitation. 108

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If he were tried for the same crime today, he would not have been given a life in prison sentence.

LORIEL ALEGRETE Loriel Alegrete the Founder of 40 Tons along with Anthony Alegrete, and Corvain Cooper.

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Corvain’s pardon means that his record is null and void leaving him with renewed opportunities for everything from job placement to voting rights.

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>>>

Corvain Cooper : Life After Death (continued)

Pro Bono Lawyer Garners Support In 2014, Patrick Megaro, an Orlando lawyer, took on Corvain’s case pro bono. He began by appealing his case to the United States Supreme court as well as petitioning Trump for clemency. In Patrick’s eyes, “the system failed Corvain Cooper“ because of “the unjust and unusually cruel sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for selling marijuana.” Patrick also worked with others who focused on freeing those who’ve been wrongly imprisoned for cannabis crimes. Cheri Sicard, a Long Beach activist, collected support letters from cannabis festivals with the help of Corvain’s mother Barbara. Both were overjoyed to hear of Corvain’s clemency, but Cheri vowed to keep advocating for those who weren’t as lucky what she called a “clemency crapshoot.”

The System failed Corvain Cooper, and I think he relayed that to the president.

The Last Prisoner Project Advocates for Cannabis Drug Crimes Corvain serves as an advisor for the Last Prisoner Project, which is one of many of programs designed to fight injustice and inequality in the legal system particularly as it pertains to Cannabis drug crimes. According to their nonprofit website, the team of cannabis industry leaders, criminal and social justice advocates, policy and education experts, and leaders in social justice and drug policy reform are, “committed to freeing every last prisoner of the unjust war on drugs, starting with 40,000 people in prison for cannabis offenses legal in most states.” In California, the organization developed the Prison to Prosperity reentry program to help people gain employment in the legal cannabis industry. It has also worked with the federal government and the White House on policy reform including commutations for those service nonviolent drug offenses.

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Lawmakers Push for Clemency People like Corvain who recieve clemency don’t normally get any recognition for their case. Corvain credits many individuals and organizations for calling attention to his special case to the president for possible clemency. Specifically, he personally credits the following for his clemency: Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Patrick Megaro, prison reform advocate Alice Johnson, the Last Prisoner Project, Weldon Angelos’ Project Mission Green, Cando Clemency, Marijuana Matter DC, the 40 Tons Brand and many other advocacy groups.

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>>>

Corvain Cooper : Life After Death (continued)

Trump’s Pardon and Clemency Efforts Many other people like Corvain Cooper are facing long jail sentences for nonviolent drug crimes, sought pardons from Former President Donald Trump. Michael Pelletier, a 65 year old paraplegic because of a farming accident as a child who was facing a life sentence after being caught in the early 2000s smuggling pot into Maine from Canada. Maine and Canada have since legalized marijuana. Weldon Angelos had spent 13 years in prison for a federal marijuana conviction. His sentence had been reduced and they released him in 2016. Due to the inequities of the system that he experienced, the White House quoted him as being “an active criminal justice reform advocate and champion of giving second chances.” Although many of Trumps pardons were considered controversial, his Angelos’ was seen as a step forward for civil rights. Weldon has been credited for being an inspiration force for the First Step Act, which was a law enacted in 2018 to “improve criminal justice outcomes, as well as to reduce the size of the federal prison population while also creating mechanisms to maintain public safety.” He was also part of a White House Prison Reform Summit that same year. Trump gave clemency to more than a dozen people facing cannabis-related prison sentences including marijuana “lifers” Ferrell Damon Scott, Anthony DeJohn, Craig Cesal and James Romans.

This is Only the Beginning Corvain Cooper’s story is one that must be told. This family man who was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison was finally free. His story is one that shows the inherent problem with the “Three Strikes” law. There’s an overwhelming number of prisoners of nonviolent drug crimes who’ve been locked up, many having the key thrown away. It’s only a matter of time before recreational cannabis use is legalized throughout the United States. Today, recreational marijuana remains illegal under federal law but legal under local law in 15 states, two US territories and Washington, DC. Under the current White House administration, President Joe Biden has seemingly opposed the legalization of marijuana whereas Vice President Kamala Harris has shown support for its legalization. It’s believed that they will tolerate state-legal cannabis businesses in the same way that Trump did. In any case, let Corvain’s story and the 40 Tons Cannabis brand give him a head-start on readjusting back to civilian life while also giving others the inspiration to continue fighting in the hope for justice and freedom. 113

I get to now be the dad I always wanted to be!

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JAY-Z:

ONCE AGAIN EXPANDING HIS EMPIRE WITH A O NEW C MPANY CONTRIBUTOR: HAZEY TAUGHTME Photo Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 114

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e t p a h C w e N A

Rap mogul Jay-Z’s The Parent Company recently landed on the NEO Exchange,a Canadian stock exchange based in Toronto. It’s symbol is $GRAM ! The Parent Company

is a vertically integrated weed enterprise, a consolidation of the cannabis market designed by Jay -Z, Roc Nation, Caliva, Left Coast Ventures and some of California’s top cannabis operators.

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THE NEW MOVE FOR THE l u g o RAPPER M The NEO Exchange hosts over 100 EFT and corporate entities. The exchange facilitates over 13 percent of the Canadian trading volume. With its addition to this exchange, The Parent Company becomes the largest SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) in the cannabis industry. Jay-Z has also partnered with Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp. The pairing will create TPCO, a holding company. Jay-Z used the company to produce Monogram, a line of cannabis products, in 2020. The entertainer has said he’s going to “shape a brighter and inclusive future” for cannabis culture.

Pictured

2 Gram Flower, 4 Gram Flower, and OG Handrolls

THE HOVA LEGACY From the moment he began one of hiphop’s visionary entrepreneurs, Jay-Z had consistently redefined his place entertainment, music, sports, and much more. Born Shawn Carter and raised in Brooklyn, today he’s the world’s second wealthiest hip-hop artist. He’s proven his organizational skills bringing the world a clothing company (Rocawear), sports venues (Barclay’s Center, Roc Nation Sports), and record labels (Roc-A-Fella Records, Roc Nation). He opened the 40/40 Club, a highly popular restaurant and sports bar chain in the Flatiron District, Barclays Center, and Atlantic City, NJ. Of course, he founded the streaming service,

“Cannabis laws are out of date and disproportionately cruel and punishing when compared to the rest of the legal code.”

Tidal, before selling a majority stake to Jack Dorsey’s Square and joining the board of directors. Weeks before he sold half of Ace of Spades to Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH). His sports agency represents Kyrie Irving, Leonard Fournette, Marcus Rashford & Dez Bryant. If not for the rapper, the world may not have discovered Kanye West, Rihanna, Big Sean, DJ Khaled or J. Cole.

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“We still don’t have proper regulation for texting and driving in Missouri, but staying home and smoking weed will get you locked up.”

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Photo Credit: Walik Goshorn/ Media Punch/Alamy Live News

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Jay-Z tends to go big. His campaign for Monogram

was no different. It aims to shine a light on cannabis laws and their disproportionate affect on BIPOCs. This is why Mongram came to the forefront as a massive poster in New York City.

THE WAR ON DRUGS WORKED…

....IF RACISM WAS THE GOAL. (it was)

“THE WAR ON DRUGS WORKED,” the poster says,

cannabis industry and to bring in and support

“IF SYSTEMIC RACISM WAS THE GOAL.”

entrepreneurs of color. There are posters linking

At the bottom of the poster, next to the Monogram

marriage between cousins or sex with farm

cannabis laws to historic prohibitions, noting

logo, it reads, “The hypocrisy of America’s drug

animals aren’t given the harsh punishment that

policy needs to end.”

alleged drug offenders get.

Execs at The Parent Company were completely

The campaign has branched out to Miami, San

in support of the ad campaign. They want to work with Jay-Z and Monogram to promote an inclusive

Fran, Chicago, L.A. and Washington, D.C. And the goal is to grow the campaign even more.

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Always looking into

Pictured

NO 88

THE FUTURE

This flagship strain is the product of decades of experience in cultivating exceptional cannabis. This signature herb is sweet, spicy, and meticulously crafted to elevate your mind and soul. monogramcompany.com

Jay-Z has done more than enough in hip-hop to cement a reputation that will be us for generations. But he’s never seen himself in one mold. As he said,

“I’m not a businessman / I’m a business, man.” Jay-Z created a portfolio that expanded the rap world. No matter how his rap career prospered, Jay-Z relentlessly pursued new business opportunities. He by himself began the business model for every aspiring rapper and many a non-music dreamer.

Progress is endless. According to the website,

“MONOGRAM marks a new chapter in cannabis defind by dignity, care and consistency. It is a collective effort to bring the best, and a humble pursuit. to discover what the best truly means.” Pictured

Loosie’s PreRoll Pack

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BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

MONOGRAM:

THE NEXT PAGE IN JAY-Z’S BOOK The Monogram campaign uses the stories of eight individuals whose lives were severely damaged due to cannabis convictions, including Bryan Rone. Rone spent 15 years in prison for moving cannabis between Virginia and Texas. Today, that conviction stops Rone from the legal cannabis industry even where recreational marijuana is legal.

“I created this campaign to amplify the voices of those who have been penalized for the very same thing that venture capitalists are now prospering from with the emerging legal cannabis market.”

Jay-Z says, “I created this campaign to amplify the voices of those who have been penalized for the very same thing that venture capitalists are now prospering from with the emerging legal cannabis market.” He believes American cannabis laws are “out of date and disproportionately cruel.” The Parent Company landing on the NEO demonstrates the value of the enterprise and the confidence in Jay-Z’s business acumen. The Parent Company also boasts investors such as Rihanna and Meek Mill. Though based in California, The Parent Company is looking at New York considering Jay-Z is likely the most famous Brooklynite in the world.

so ambitious

Learn more about

products, the cultivation process, and watch some of your favorite artists share their ‘High Tales’ at www monogramcompany.com

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APRIL 2021 THE 420 ISSUE • BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE

NEW YORK GOESLegit Jay has long argued about the draconian statues

Legalization will have an incredible

followed by New York laws. And it’s a story that

impact on the alleged war on drugs.

goes as far back as the 1970s and the Rockefeller drug laws and the Nixon administration. These

Jay-Z is also thrilled about New York

initiatives flooded state prison with members of the

legalizing cannabis. He spoke with

BIPOC communities. It led to a structure followed

The Grio about the long overdue and

across the country.

recently passed recreational use bill. He finds the legalization “incredibly

African-Americans make up on 13 percent of the

exciting.”

entire U.S. population, yet they make up 31 percent of the arrested for use or drug sale.

The mogul says it’s long overdue and

This even though it’s on record that whites use and

sees great opportunity for the cannabis

sell illegal substances at the same rate as black

industry, for New Yorkers, and for

communities.

advancement in social justice and social equity. He’s been witness to the

Through legalization, it’s almost become common

generations of disparity and harm

to demand an end to inequitable policing and mass

inflicted against BIPOC communities by

incarceration. Jay-Z hopes to invite and inspire

cannabis-enforced laws.

everyone to stand on the right side of history. Jay-Z feels the war on drugs has been detrimental to all of us, but especially to people of color, and specifically blacks. Monogram is his new voice to bring inequity to light.

“The news of cannabis legalization in New York is incredibly exciting. It represents a long-overdue opportunity for New Yorkers, for the cannabis industry, and for social equity and social justice,” - JAY- Z

empire state of mind. 121

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“I’ve seen firsthand the harm inflicted for generations against Black and minority communities by the war on drugs right here in New York. Today, I’m proud to see my home state join The Parent Company in paving the way for a thriving and equitable cannabis market.”

BLACK CANNABIS MAGAZINE • THE 420 ISSUE APRIL 2021

CONCLUSION The story is Jay-Z will not have a hand in the overall operations between Monogram and TPCO. But no one sees that as a detriment to the potential this venture will have on the cannabis business. TPCO is a holding company which means there’s no direct involvement in day-to-day operations. The company will control majority stock of other companies. TPCO will fund The Parent Company Social Equity Ventures with a portion of the funding going to BIPOC-owned cannabis businesses. Funds will also contribute to change in industry training, bail reform, expungement clinics and social equity application support.

e se m e ‘ t le ’ on g u yo , by ba ce en Black excell 122

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Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur, Getty Images Entertainment Collection

Legacy, Legacy, Legacy, Legacy There has been no greater voice in our generation than that of Jay-Z. But he isn’t just the talk, the man’s the walk. He demonstrates in every way how we empower ourselves and we have to invest in ourselves. That’s not just his business, man. It’s ours too.

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