CANNABIS EQUITY

THE SCENT OF MEDICINE Black Life in the Cannabis Industry

It’s June 2, 2020. Injustice is still happening all across the country to Black people. We’re dying by the thousands! Asking that justice be served to those who are accountable and laws are upheld to protect us. It’s done to no avail, but does it surprise me? No. Laws to protect the bodies of Black Americans have always been in question, even as Cannabis is being legalized at an alarming rate. Discrimination has no face and the Cannabis industry is no different. C ANNABIS’ HISTORY OF LEGALITY is deeply rooted in racism. But because the white men who dominate the industry say it’s okay to smoke weed and capitalize off of it, it’s okay. Black people are still imprisoned by the hundreds of thousands - all across the country - for something a white person can do at their leisure.

They sell it, smoke it, grow it. Light up outside. On private property. With their friends. At parties. At festivals. At restaurants. On TV. In podcasts. In music. By the beach. While driving. Doesn’t matter. They get to wear it proudly. Bob Marley t-shirts. ‘One Love’ blasting. A joint hanging square off their lips.They get a slap on the wrist. We get a knee to the throat.

With furrowed brows, they’ll say you’re high. They don’t care

about credentials or accolades. It won’t matter that you genetically engineered a strain. Or made it to the Cannabis Cup. Or that you’re a grower. Or a consultant. Your name won’t even ring a bell. Because less than a fifth of the people involved at an ownership or stakeholder level are black people. So, maybe they’ll ask you to step out of the car.

And it doesn’t matter I am Bria Price. A gifted black, female writer from Baltimore, Maryland who proudly if you’re Black and you uses Cannabis to heighten my creativity and battle anxiety. There’s nothing better radiate the scent of weed than celebrating each day of creating and sharing stories, with soothing sounds, because you manage a a nice breeze and a fresh batch of Garlic Cookies. dispensary, or that you can’t own on your own because you have a prior marijuana conviction. They’ll pat you down or slap you up. Which not only bans you from the industry Call the hounds. Invite some friends. but also limits your access to jobs, housJust to get a better whiff. Trash your car and ing and educational opportunities. So your when they find nothing - get angry. dream of operating one is lightyears away. Now, you’re resisting. For a “crime” that isn’t

And that scent lingers with you to your car a crime and one that you didn’t commit. But you while you drive, although you haven’t inhaled were just committed to healing. The same freea puff since 7:00 that morning. But you dom for healing as everyone else. But now that needed that puff to battle the anxieties you same healing has cost you your life. knew you would face as you left your home They’ll draw a gun. Or a baton. Raise a fist. to enter America for the day. Or bury a knee. Slam you down. Or hem you up.

It doesn’t matter that you were prescribed And when your family turns on the news the it. That it was by a proper doctor. Through next day, they’ll say you were just some thug with the right channels. Rehabilitated. Dosed it weed. Because your skin is Black and theirs is right. It won’t matter once you see those red white. Because to them it’s just “medicine,” but and blue lights creeping up behind you. for us it’s a “drug.”

You’ll be forced to pull over. Even if it’s That is what we’re protesting about. And this for nothing, it’s something. When you roll is just a taste of what criminal injustice looks like your window down, even with your proper for Black people in the Cannabis industry and identification and even with both hands on around the world. the wheel, they’ll smell the scent. So for those of you asking what you can do,

With furrowed brows, they’ll say you’re the answer is anything. Anything to end the high. They don’t care about credentials or systemic racism and injustice currently happenaccolades. It won’t matter that you genetiing. Donate to causes that are fighting these cally engineered a strain. Or made it to the injustices. Protest. Scream Black Lives Matter from Cannabis Cup. Or that you’re a grower. Or your rooftops. Spread the right information. Sign a consultant. Your name won’t even ring a petitions. Bail out the wrongfully accused and unbell. Because less than a fifth of the people fairly sentenced. Expunge minor drug convictions. involved at an ownership or stakeholder level Use your privilege as a shield against police are Black people. brutality. Expose the posers who don’t genuinely

So, maybe they’ll ask you to step out of care for Black lives. the car. Chances are they’ll “need” to search your car - without warrant. But you have to get out of it first. Maybe they’ll ask you to Stop wrongfully accusing us. Stop judging us. Stop killing us. step out. Or they’ll yank you out. Let us live. Let us heal. Let us breathe.