Cannabis Legalization Falls Short on Social Equity
Megan Yates, chair of the Cannabis Equity Initiative for SOMA Action’s Racial Justice Committee, answers our questions on what we can do about it.
What is the Cannabis Equity Initiative, and what are your goals?
The Cannabis Equity Initiative was formed shortly after it was learned that the initial legislation laying out the framework for cannabis legalization had fallen short on areas relating to social equity. Our group is a subcommittee of SOMA Action Racial Justice, so our work is focused on issues of restorative justice and repairing the harm done to the Black and brown communities during marijuana’s prohibition. Our goals are to help achieve and maintain a local cannabis industry that is equitable in business and contributes to the local Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) community in meaningful ways.
What sorts of things are you working on right now?
This is a new and exciting industry for New Jersey and, most importantly, a pivotal moment in repairing the damage that marijuana’s prohibition has done to so many families, especially those that are part of the Black and brown communities. So, there is a wide array of important issues that should be focused on. For the time being, we have our attention mainly focused on local regulations, social equity programs, public awareness, and advocating for Black-owned cannabis businesses. We have been in discussion with local township officials regarding rolling out the local cannabis industry in an equitable way. For example, a large portion of New Jersey’s cannabis tax revenue will be reserved for impact zones, which are municipalities that have been the most disproportionately affected by the racist enforcement of the War on Drugs. However, impacted families live in non-impact zones like South Orange and Maplewood. So, we are working with local officials to ensure that a local tax is imposed on cannabis sales and directed to programs that directly support BIPOC individuals and families in SOMA. Community input and discussion is something that we will advocate for to make sure that BIPOC residents are given the opportunity to share with township officials what they would like this form of restorative justice to be so that an informed program can be created. We hope to work with content creators to educate the community about why the cannabis industry needs to be equitable as well as the health benefits of marijuana to help break the stigma that surrounds the plant. We are vocal about our opposition to large, white-owned, multi-state operators opening recreational marijuana establishments in our area and profiting from a product that the Black community has been criminalized and terrorized for since the inception of the War on Drugs. Once the Cannabis Regulatory Commission begins to grant business licenses, we will make plans to advocate for Black-owned cannabis businesses that will be located in, and/or deliver to, South Orange and Maplewood in both the medical and adult-use spaces.
What are the biggest obstacles to your success?
Financing and zoning regulations can be significant roadblocks for cannabis businesses. Starting a cannabis business is very expensive and financing can be difficult to obtain because of federal law. Large multi-state operators are very well-financed and have that as an advantage over smaller businesses in addition to zoning requirements. There are a limited number of locations in SOMA that can house a cannabis establishment, so a concern is that licenses for these available spaces will be granted to corporations and effectively shut small and/or Black-owned cannabis businesses out of the local market. Another obstacle is one of maintaining social equity. Other states that legalized recreational marijuana before New Jersey have seen lobbyists and multi-state operators dismantle social equity programs over time, so we will need to be very watchful of these things occurring in our towns and state.
What sorts of things do you imagine committee members will spend their time doing?
Staying informed and educated about topics relating to cannabis is essential, so members should expect to lean into and amplify the work of Black and brown activists in this space to understand what needs to be done to advance an equitable cannabis industry. Some options for activism within the Cannabis Equity Initiative include writing to and/or speaking with elected officials at the local and state level regarding current legislation and regulations, attending virtual cannabis education events and local town halls, and coming up with creative ideas to raise community awareness and promote Black-owned cannabis businesses. As our area gradually opens up from the pandemic, we imagine there will also be some in-person events and activities. There is a lot of work that needs to be done; how the state and municipalities choose to move into this space will determine where the bar of social equity will be set, so it is important work.
What should people do if they want to help/get involved?
If you want to hang out (virtually for now) with a passionate group of people and discuss some serious and important issues about a beautiful plant, then this is the committee for you! Please email Megan Yates at yates.meganl@gmail.com to get involved.