The War on Drugs has hit communities of color hard. As the American Civil Liberties Union notes, “Marijuana has been a key driver of mass criminalization in this country and hundreds of thousands of people, the majority of whom are Black or Latinx, have their lives impacted by a marijuana arrest each year”

Native people are also more likely to have marijuana charges, particularly in the deep north. For instance in South Dakota “Native Americans accounted for 8.9% of the population 2016, for example, but comprised 29.3% of all marijuana possession arrests that year,” reads the report.”  That’s in addition to all the other charges Native people face in the justice system. 

Legalization can equal restorative justice. ACLU.org

Nationally and in Minnesota, there’s work in equity in the industry. Nationally there are initiatives like that of Karim Webb, in Los Angeles, working to secure dispensary licenses for people of color.  And support for the development of those dispensaries. The most lucrative element of the industry is in consumer retail sales, and people of color should benefit from this new and booming industry.

In Minnesota, there’s a coalition called The Great Rise, which is committed to cannabis equity in the state,which is access to the cannabis economy for people of color through business ownership. 

Farmers are only a piece of the pie and often not paid nearly as much as those in the retail industry. In any case, the possible income is substantial. For example, an estimated revenue of $425 million in year one, and $1.2 billion by year five.* And an estimated 20,000+ jobs.* The Great Rise will help direct these jobs for those in marginalized communities upon legalization:

Here are just a few examples of positions that will be created:

• Cannabis Trimmer: $35,250, no education requirement

• Extractor Technician: $58,450, no degree requirement

• Budtender: $41,500, no degree requirement

• Distribution Driver: $49,550, no degree requirement

• Brand Ambassador: $46,800, no degree requirement

• Dispensary Manager: $93,900

• Assistant Dispensary Manager: $71,550 *https://thegreatrise.org/

Justice looks like the people who were jailed for the plant should today benefit from the plant. And, remember, this is a new economy. Not like non Natives have to share a piece of the pie. This is a new pie.

There are a number of Indigenous nations which have embarked into the cannabis business, and a national organization, the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association is working to both study and promote the development of a healthy tribal industry.

** A New "Indigenous Cannabis Association Aims to Unite Tribes