By: Olivia Walters
Even though it seems like everyone is smoking and enjoying the high, marijuana still has a long way to go in the way of equality.
Along with the many milestones that have passed since legalization, it’s easy to see the cannabis industry as one giant billion dollar pipe dream.
Unfortunately, legalized cannabis isn’t a wonderland of opportunity for the 40,000 Americans imprisoned for cannabis offenses, according to the Last Prisoner Project.
Discussions about racial equality have continued to put pressure on Congress to expunge cannabis-related convictions.
Possession accounts for almost 90% of cannabis arrests, Forbes reports. Regardless of legalization and decriminalization, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) insists that Black and Brown people are still the target of discriminatory policing.
In 2019, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act introduced a bill to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, federally decriminalizing the plant.
This would create a new tax on sales to go towards an Opportunity Trust Fund and expunge the thousands of individuals sitting in jail cells for marijuana possession charges, according to Ganjapreneur.
However, the MORE Act vote has been delayed until further notice due to the pandemic and upcoming November elections.
Even if the MORE Act passes, it could take a long time to undo the harm caused by the war on drugs.
There are traces of deep-rooted systemic racism against BIPOC in the legal, social, and economic aspects of cannabis.
Because many of the big-name cannabis players in the game are white-owned companies, fighting for social equity and fair representation for BIPOC must be a priority if we are to break down barriers in cannabis.
Addressing and challenging stereotypes helps to bring these sad truths to light.
It just so happens that BIPOC womxn are redefining plant advocacy to claim their own stakes in the industry.
We spoke with three BIPOC entrepreneurs about their businesses, cannabis use, and thoughts on justice. Let’s introduce them and learn about the incredible work they’re doing.
Stacy Zeal
Stacy is a CEO and blogger with a background in tech. She founded the Mary Zeal brand with the goal of helping women prioritize their self-care by using the lovely cannabis plant.
After struggling with insomnia and then falling asleep behind the wheel of her car two times, Stacy visited a doctor who later prescribed her sleeping pills. When she replaced the pills with cannabis, Stacy described the switch as life-changing.
Now she encourages womxn to use cannabis with more intention. Next time you work out, Stacy recommends adding cannabis to the mix for increased pleasure.
Relatability is a theme that comes up constantly on her Instagram and blog posts. Stacy wants womxn to know that they have a cannabis community backing them up.
“I want black womxn to thrive in a cannabis community where we are seen and heard, so I’m creating one,” she said.
When asked if she thinks the barriers for BIPOC in cannabis are the same as other industries, Stacy highlighted some parallels within her career in tech.
Being passed over on leadership positions and funding opportunities are two obstacles she faces, but on a positive note, there are leading communities of black womxn in the tech industry, like the Sista Circle.
Stacy’s work in cannabis also excites her because she sees amazing black womxn doing big things.
“Being a black womxn, I feel the need to educate people about cannabis stereotypes because I want people to expand their understanding of the plant,” she said.
Stereotypes about cannabis as a “gateway drug” come from older generations who were influenced by propaganda and false information, Stacy explains, which is why she focuses on sharing the realistic benefits of cannabis.
The world needs more womxn like Stacy Zeal leading canna-positive discussions rooted in experience. Let’s all dedicate a moment to Stacy Zeal the next time we light up.
Samar Marwan
Samar is a cannabis podcaster, consultant, and journalist from San Francisco.
She’s a self-titled “pot smokin’ Pali from Cali with a podcast,” according to her Instagram bio.
Her podcast Hella High covers all things cannabis and features industry leaders to discuss cultural topics about how to be more cannabis conscious.
Before starting the podcast series, Samar worked at Forbes as an assistant editor of technology.
She left the publication last fall and has since spoken publicly about the race issues she witnessed at Forbes.
Samar explained how she’s seen first hand how the media landscape upholds a culture of white male privilege. To not have POC writing stories about cannabis, Samar said, is a huge red flag.
She also mentioned the problem with investors jumping on “the green rush,” only to neglect the farmers and processors making all of this possible.
Samar stands for the members of the community and fights for social equity. Many of her podcast episodes dive into diversity and inclusion topics in cannabis.
One of her more recent programs called “Is Marijuana Haram?” raised an interesting question about the grey area of cannabis use in Muslim culture.
“You’re hearing many conversations about culture and cannabis, but for Muslims it’s different because we just don’t talk about it,” she said.
Other countries are starting to reinterpret cannabis now that America has changed its laws.
Drug addiction and mental illness can be touchy topics in the Muslim community, but cannabis has a different effect on your mind and behavior, which is why the plant can be a solution, Samar explained.
Compared to her experience at Forbes, Samar says her work in cannabis has been amazing.
When she spoke out about #ForbesSoWhite, Samar knew it wouldn’t jeopardize her cannabis consultant job, especially when her team “looks like the United Nations.”
Across the Palestinian disaspora, Samar shared that people have been smoking and getting high for ages.
Now everyone knows that she smokes weed because she’s leading forward-moving discussion about it.
At Miss Marijuana, we are here to listen with open ears to all of Samar’s cannabis wisdom.
Head over to the Hella High podcast
Danielle Olivarez
Danielle is the founder of Highlites, a “stoner’s oasis” for intentional consumption.
She’s a Brooklyn-based entrepreneur who offers virtual meditation and yoga classes to help people delve into their relationship with cannabis.
Her exclusive Member Sesh welcomes womxn into a like-minded community of plant advocates and yogis.
Danielle’s personal experience using cannabis to cope with negative thoughts, depression, and anxiety inspired her to start the Highlites brand.
When Danielle first moved to New York, she noticed that the city’s drinking culture dominated over the cannabis scene.
The idea behind Highlites was to link people together and teach them mindfulness about cannabis.
Although she’s never lived in a state where cannabis is legal, Danielle spreads powerful messages using the platforms available to her.
She mentioned a difference in the way society sees Black and Brown people using cannabis online, and in the way that cannabis caters to white people.
“When I speak up as a Latina womxn, there is a lot of stigma across the diaspora.”
Danielle is a first-generation American from a Cuban and Colombian family. She’s the only person in her family who works for herself and openly talks about her cannabis use.
When asked about her take on BIPOC in cannabis, she touched on the importance of community-led work.
There’s a lot of distance between the higher executives and the people rooting for cannabis advocacy. “The war on drugs is a war on people of color,” Danielle said.
Danielle’s work and story reminds us to keep breathing, listening, and focusing on canna-positive messages from BIPOC. A little support goes a long way for more inclusive cannabis spaces.
It’s up to everyone to do what they can to learn and practice cannabis advocacy. If you’re a cannabis user, you can read more information about BIPOC in cannabis or contribute to BIPOC-led non-profits.
Any place is a good place to start as long as you’re trying to understand.
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Olivia Walters is a writer who focuses on cannabis culture and lifestyle.