Black entrepreneurs face systemic barriers when trying to push their way through an already difficult and expensive process .” from the EDITOR
You may have noticed a house ad in these pages in recent issues acknowledging the Black Lives Matter movement . A partnership between many of our independent cannabis publishing friends , the ad is intended to bring awareness to the struggles of the Black community both in society in general as well as the grow industry . A new report by Canada ’ s Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation determined there is very little diversity in leadership when it comes to the cannabis sector . In fact , 84 percent of Canada ’ s cannabis industry leaders are white ( 86 percent are men ). Two percent are Indigenous and just one percent is Black . Like many other sectors , Black entrepreneurs face systemic barriers when trying to push their way through an already difficult and expensive process . In an article written by the CBC , lead author of the report , Akwasi Owusu-Bempah , says that imbalance of representation has a deeper , more systemic reason . During prohibition , Blacks and Indigenous people were most targeted by law enforcement , so they are most likely to have criminal records for minor possession . This prevents them from obtaining business loans and licences required to enter the cannabis industry . This finding highlights the very meaning of white privilege . The best definition I ’ ve heard is that being white doesn ’ t mean you ’ ve had a privileged life without trouble or problems . It just means you don ’ t have those problems or challenges because of the color of your skin . The news in the U . S . is somewhat better , especially in California . There , people with convictions for minor pot possession have largely had their records cleared , paving the way for a more equitable opportunity to enter the industry . Canada hasn ’ t done this , and it clearly needs to if it wants to live up to its reputation of being inclusive and just , not only for the cannabis industry but for all opportunities . Both countries have a long way to go , and it ’ s up to respective governments to level the playing field for all people . People of all races and backgrounds have a lot to offer this industry . It ’ s time the barriers are removed that prevent them from shining .
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