"It's Crazy, But It's True: Reflecting on Black History Month and the Failed 'War on Drugs'"

As we approach the end of Black History Month and I see so many people throwing around captions about the "War on Drugs," it is time to examine the impact that this misguided policy truly has had on disenfranchised communities.

For too long, communities of color have borne the brunt of this failed policy, suffering from a lack of cannabis education, a lack of community resources, and the social injustice that have only served to exacerbate existing inequalities.

The War on Drugs was first launched in the 1970s as a way to combat the perceived threat of drug use in the United States. Over time, it has become clear that this policy has been a complete failure, leading to widespread incarceration, over-policing of communities of color, and a persistent cycle of poverty and desperation that continues to this day. So it's no surprise when I hear so many of my peers say "The War on Drugs was a War on Us". They're right.

One of the most devastating impacts of the War on Drugs has been the way it has criminalized/stigmatized cannabis use as a whole. For decades, people of color have been disproportionately targeted and punished for using cannabis, families have been broken because of this plant, and it's about time that the men and women who have been disproportionately impacted begin to benefit for its legal existence.

The lack of education surrounding the cannabis industry has also contributed to this problem. Shoutout to the Minority Cannabis Academy. Many people still believe that cannabis is a gateway drug, "reefer madness", despite the fact that all the scientific evidence supports the contrary. This has led to a lack of support for legalization efforts, particularly in communities of color where the effects of the War on Drugs are still being felt. The trauma from its prohibition has cause so many to never explore its benefits, but can you blame them?

For the people who are pro-cannabis and want to own their own cannabusiness the lack of capital available is reoccurring roadblock for so many Black & Brown entrepreneurs. Because of the stigma around the drug, many investors are hesitant to invest in cannabis-related businesses, particularly those owned by people of color. Banks are still treating cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug federally, which puts business owners at an elevated risk when/if they can access funding/banking. This lack of capital, couples with the aforementioned lack of education has created a whirlwind of issues across the industry, but it's even deeper than that.

The social injustice that has resulted from the War on Drugs cannot be ignored. People of color have been unfairly targeted, punished and humiliated over the same plant that our state (NJ) is making hundreds of millions of dollars from. The War on Drugs lead our community down a persistent cycle of poverty and despair. How can we not expect the love within Social Equity to be at least half as strong as the hate within the War on Drugs was?

PS: That hate was worth nearly $50 Billion a year...so the love should be at least??

Anyway, it is time for a new approach to drug policy in this country, we must support legalization efforts, invest in education, and take the time, energy & effort AND MONEY to prepare entrepreneurs that are interested in getting into the industry. Then, and only then, will we stop using Social Equity as a buzzword and we'll treat every month like it's Black History Month...because Cannabis History is Black History.