Minnesota does social equity differently - maybe even better - than a lot of other states. That was one of the messages being shared at the OCM Social Equity Mixer last night. Minnesota openly names the harm cannabis prohibition caused Black communities. The Division of Social Equity seems like they really want to facilitate repair instead of pretending the past didn’t happen, but they too have to deal with state legislation and a system entrenched in racism.
Hearing the Director of Social Equity, Jess Jackson, speak so openly and honestly about where things really stand was both inspiring and sobering. You could feel that she genuinely cares and wants people to succeed. She doesn’t want people to get caught in the same cycle so many entrepreneurs are experiencing chasing the so-called “Green Rush,” jumping in with big dreams only to meet barrier after barrier. Jess reminded us that this industry is complicated, expensive, and often unforgiving.
I don’t think most folks in the room knew what to expect. I saw some of the critical posts and comments floating around beforehand and thought, “yep, let me be in that room.” And I’m glad I was. After Jess set the tone, we watched the short documentary Kiss My Grass, which powerfully captures the challenges Black women face raising capital in cannabis and how racism is baked into those barriers. I caught myself watching the White folks in the room watch it, wondering how the content was landing for them. A lot of people came in with business questions, looking for strategy, but what they got was a conversation mostly about racial barriers.
The panel that followed kept that same energy. Mary Pryor, one of the documentary’s directors, did not water anything down. She pushed entrepreneurs to take care of themselves and not be afraid to pivot, even if that means stepping back. Hearing how each panelist has had to pivot, especially the Black women, was eye-opening and honestly frustrating. They deserve better.
In a recent episode of CashColorCannabis with Mehka, Jess said, “we want to equate social equity with racial equity, but that’s not the case for most legislation.” I felt that. State regulators, no matter how much they might truly care about justice, can’t enact specific race-based repair. Racial equity is something we - consumers and business owners - have to drive. We can’t depend on the state. We can’t settle for their version of social equity. We have to use what we get and help them complete the mission.
I walked out motivated and energized to play my role. I’m starting to understand the ecosystem and how different elements of the industry both support and challenge equity efforts. There is no social equity without racial equity, especially in cannabis. If you’re in the cannabis business, racial equity needs to be part of your plan. If you’re a consumer, racial equity should be part of how you choose to spend your money.
At the end of the day, it’s on us.
#itzpersonal
