Social equity issues in #cannabis seem familiar: a look at MLK's work.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States to honor the civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. A lot of people celebrate this day by participating in community service projects, volunteering, attending events that honor his legacy, and reflecting on his message of equality, nonviolence and social justice.

MLK stood for racial equality, social justice, and nonviolence. He fought against racial segregation and discrimination, advocated for better economic opportunities for African Americans, and spoke out against poverty and the Vietnam War.

As his story has fascinated me for some time (yes, I know, I'm late to the game) and seeing the crossroads between his life's work and social equity in today's cannabis industry, I wonder: what would MLK's stance be on #cannabis? I've summarized some of my reflections below.

A little history, sounds familiar right?

In his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, MLK spoke about the importance of equality and justice for all, regardless of race. He called for an end to discrimination and for all people to be treated with dignity and respect. He spoke of a day when "little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

During his time, the criminalization of cannabis was tied to racism and discrimination, as it was primarily associated with communities of color and marginalized groups. It's scary to think nothing substantial has changed in the past 60 years later, isn't it?

It is not well documented (or I simply haven't found much with my limited research) what MLK's stance on cannabis specifically was, as it wasn't a major focus of his activism and speeches. However, his overall stance on social justice and equality can provide some insight into how he may have viewed the issue.

Hypothetical position of MLK on #cannabis criminalization

The enforcement of marijuana laws was used as a tool to disproportionately target and arrest people of color, further exacerbating racial disparities in the criminal justice system. MLK was a strong critic of these racial inequalities and fought against discrimination in all its forms.

MLK's stance on social equity is linked to the cannabis industry through the issue of criminalization. The criminalization of cannabis has disproportionately affected communities of color, as law enforcement has disproportionately targeted them for marijuana offenses. This has led to significant racial disparities in arrests and incarceration rates for cannabis-related offenses. MLK was a strong critic of racial inequalities in the criminal justice system, and it's likely he would have opposed the criminalization of cannabis for this reason.

It's likely that MLK would have seen the criminalization of cannabis as another form of discrimination, and he may have opposed it for that reason.

As MLK also spoke about the importance of nonviolence and peaceful civil disobedience. I believe he would have likely opposed the use of force and incarceration to address issues related to #cannabis use.

Hypothetical position of MLK on social equity in #cannabis

MLK's stance on social equity is strongly linked to the cannabis industry through the issue of access to opportunities. As more states legalize cannabis, there is a growing industry that offers opportunities for jobs, investment, and entrepreneurship.

However, these opportunities have not been equally accessible to communities of color, who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. MLK's stance on social equity would call for the removal of barriers to entry and equal access to opportunities in the cannabis industry, regardless of race.

MLK's stance on social equity would call for the removal of barriers to entry and equal access to opportunities in the cannabis industry, regardless of race.

MLK also believed in addressing the root causes of social problems, rather than relying on punishment and repression, and also advocated for economic justice, spoke out against poverty, and called for better economic opportunities for African Americans.

Furthermore, MLK's stance on economic justice has a strong link to the cannabis industry, as it has the potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. However, as the industry is still in its early stages, it's important to ensure that these opportunities are not only accessible to a select few, but also to all communities, especially those who have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.

Isn't that one of the main concerns today, when we look at the social equity programs that the cannabis industry (public or private) put together? Please bear in mind that I'm not judging these programs, as this article isn't the place to do so.

MLK's stance on social equity is linked to social equity in the cannabis industry in several ways. They're centered on the idea that all individuals should have equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of race or background.

In a nutshell, as I've read through quite a few of MLK's speeches and positions, it seems clear to me that his life's work is still a current topic of concern for the #cannabis industry. In fact, the #cannabis industry is a perfect example of everything MLK has fought for. We, as an industry, should be the embodiment of his work. So, while it's nice to celebrate a day off, I urge everyone to reflect on how we can fight for MLK's legacy, beliefs, and teachings in our everyday work.

And for the haters out there: yes, I'm a white guy, but what is freedom if I can't express my thoughts on humans.