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by Kat Helgeson
As the Black Lives Matter movement gathers steam, Americans are finding ways to show their support. While many have taken to the streets to participate in protests, others have found quieter ways to contribute to the cause, such as making donations to non-profit organizations that benefit the Black community. And one method many have chosen to show their support is to seek out Black-owned businesses and patronize them.
While this is a proactive step to take in any industry, it’s particularly impactful in the cannabis industry, which is just finding its footing. The Black community has paid more than its fair share of the price for the War on Drugs, which disproportionately targeted POC for cannabis arrests despite the fact that white people and Black people commit cannabis-related crimes at approximately the same rate and of roughly the same severity. Now, as the cannabis industry begins to grow, one way we as a society can help atone for that wrong is by making sure that there is a place for POC.
Like Veriheal, the below cannabis businesses are black-owned.
If you live out west, check out Viola for flower, vapes, and cannabis extracts. The chain was started by NBA veteran Al Harrington. Currently, it operates out of Colorado, Oregon, Michigan, and California, and just last year two new locations were established in Nevada and Arizona. Viola places a priority on expanding opportunities for minority ownership and reinvesting its profits into communities that have been harmed by the policies of the War on Drugs.
For cannabis-based skincare and accessories, turn to Kush and Cute. Founded by a woman named Iyana Edouard, the company aims to educate Black women about the benefits of cannabis and participation in the industry in addition to marketing skincare and self-care products. Kush and Cute focus on advancing opportunities in the cannabis industry, not just for Black Americans, but for Black women in particular, as both groups are underrepresented at present.
Founded by Cory Holmes, Holmes Organics strives to deliver top quality organic CBD products that customers can trust. The company prides itself on its superior farming techniques, raw hemp processing, proprietary extraction methods, and sustainable growth methodologies. You can visit their online store today and pick up some top of the line organic CBD products.
Opened in Denver, Colorado in 2014, Simply Pure bears the double honor of being both the first Black-owned dispensary and the first female-owned dispensary in the United States. Owners Wanda James and Scott Durrah are military veterans, and James served as a political advisor to the Obama administration. In 2020, she was named one of the 35 Most Influential Women in Cannabis by Green Entrepreneur. In addition to owning and operating their dispensary, Holmes, and Durrah both advocate for Black rights.
You can do your part for both the cannabis industry and the Black Lives Matter movement by supporting businesses such as these ones. If you have another Black-owned cannabis business to recommend, please leave the name in the comments!
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