People of color are claiming their place in a cannabis industry

People of color have faced hurdles in joining the burgeoning legal cannabis industry, despite bearing the brunt of marijuana arrests from the United States’ war on drugs. But many lawmakers and entrepreneurs are now making social justice a pillar — even a necessity — of how they approach the growing field.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cities and states have implemented so-called cannabis equity programs, with mixed results, to address the harm inflicted on black and brown communities.
• Under one in five cannabis businesses nationwide are minority-owned, according to a recent Marijuana Business Daily report.
• The low participation is due in part to a lack of access to capital, advocates and entrepreneurs say.

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