THE EQUITY RECKONING

Illustration by IG @savinamonet

Protests on racial injustice have cast a harsh light on the cannabis industry’s overwhelmingly white ownership.

• In Congress, industry allies see the protests as an opportunity to push for cannabis legalization. It’s happening at the state level too.
  Marijuana Moment, WeedWeek
• But at Forbes, Chris Roberts asks whether police should continue to benefit from pot taxes. He finds Black cannabis entrepreneurs want taxes that benefit police to be cut.
• Massachusetts will reserve delivery REC licenses for equity businesses.
  WeedWeek
• Compliance platform Simplifya has a meaty post on equity policy in California, Massachusetts and Illinois.
• Denver found its cannabis industry lacks diverse owners or workers.
  Denver Post
• Amid protests, a post at Medium says the industry’s silence is deafening.
• Elon Musk tweeted that he doesn’t understand why people are still incarcerated for dealing weed.
  Business Insider
• NBA star turned Viola Brands CEO Al Harrington is starting an incubator program to mint 100 Black cannabis millionaires.
  CNBC

WeedWeek ????California and ????Canada have lots more.

Quick Hits

1. At High Grade Hope, longtime cannabis marketing expert Jared Mirsky is offering three free “brand makeovers” to cannabis companies in need.
   Green Entrepreneur
2. Portland, Ore. appointed entrepreneur Dasheeda Dawson (a.k.a. The Weed Head) as its new cannabis program supervisor.
3. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) announced a plan to pardon tens of thousands of low-level cannabis offenders.
   CNN