Your medical cannabis journey simplified: find partnered dispensaries, explore pricing options, earn rewards, and get answers to FAQs, all in one spot.
Your medical cannabis journey simplified: find partnered dispensaries, explore pricing options, earn rewards, and get answers to FAQs, all in one spot.
Although the relationship between Black history and cannabis has been intertwined for centuries, BIPOC make up less than 2% of cannabis entrepreneurs. This stark discrepancy between Black and white cannabis company owners only highlights the ongoing issues with race in America, demonstrating a continued need for reform.
While the debate about what that reform should look like is still taking place, rapper Killer Mike has an idea–give the entire industry over to Black people and other people of color. He’s been a staunch advocate of reparations for years, fighting for both racial equity and cannabis. He doesn’t believe in the harmful stigmas that perpetuate marijuana to this day, instead focusing on how it can help people.
His latest comments on this topic came shortly before the Grammy’s this year, where he won three awards and gave a heartfelt acceptance speech. He was on the HBO show Real Time With Bill Maher when the discussion came up, prompting his response regarding Black ownership in cannabis.
Maher stated: “With Native Americans, we gave them the casino industry. What about, you know, supermarkets?”
“Could Black people have the marijuana industry?” asked Killer Mike. “Give us marijuana. Multibillion-dollar industry. It’s still fresh, it’s still growing.”
Why You Should Get Your Medical Marijuana Card
Veriheal has satisfied millions of patients nationwide by giving them access to these benefits
While his comments certainly raised some eyebrows, including those of the other show’s guest that night, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), others believe that Killer Mike has a valid point. When Black people were first brought over to the United States in the 1600s, many of them were responsible for farming hemp crops–and none of them profited from their labor. Black people again embraced cannabis in the 1920s, when many jazz musicians performed songs about its role in their culture.
Despite their contributions to cannabis, they faced extreme backlash and suffering when anti-marijuana propaganda and the War on Drugs became rampant in society in the latter half of the 1900s. The widespread effects of the War on Drugs are still being felt to this day, and they negatively impacted BIPOC more than anybody else.
Fortunately, the tides are turning. Killer Mike doesn’t just speak out about cannabis reform; he also fights for it in politics and media. In 2020, he pushed for President Joe Biden to follow Bernie Sanders’ cannabis legalization plan, and he has partnered with other celebrities to advocate for marijuana on more than one occasion. Additionally, he has actively addressed issues concerning the Black community through speeches at rallies and protests, and in 2019, he took on hosting duties for the Netflix series Trigger Warning with Killer Mike, where he explored the challenges confronting Black individuals.
While cannabis rescheduling is on the docket, Killer Mike doesn’t believe that’s enough–it should be fully legal for anyone who wants to consume it, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes.
There is still a long way to go before Black people see full equality in the cannabis industry, but with people like Killer Mike at the helm, there’s hope it could happen sooner than we think.
Emily is a Denver-based transplant from Virginia who is passionate about substance use harm reduction, yoga, and music. She writes and edits to support the extravagant lifestyles of her pug and cat. When she's not writing, she can be found doing flow and aerial arts or browsing flights to faraway places.
If you’re a fan of home-grown cannabis and DIY projects, then you can’t go wrong with space buckets! A space bucket is a modified plastic bucket that acts as a fully self-sufficient growing vessel for growing small amounts of cannabis for personal use. With space buckets, you don’t have to give up your closet or…
Cannabis first became a legal target because it was commonly smoked in jazz clubs in the 1920s, where young Black and white people socialized in a time when cross-race relations were prohibited. By criminalizing cannabis, the government had a reason to raid jazz clubs and attempt to enforce segregation. Later, the War on Drugs targeted…
Many who have discovered and know the many benefits of the cannabis plant firsthand naturally seem drawn to being a part of the cannabis culture. Cannabis has inspired humor, language and phrases, etiquette, and even art, literature, and music over the years. This leads to many users ending up online, on social media, and on different…
Imagine biting into an Oreo cookie with its sweet, creamy center sandwiched between two chocolatey wafers. Now, picture a cannabis strain that offers a similarly delightful experience, minus the calories. Welcome to the world of Oreoz, a cannabis strain that’s winning the hearts of weed enthusiasts everywhere. But what makes Oreoz stand out in a…
As 2024 progresses, marijuana legalization continues to spread across the country. However, challenges remain for those seeking a medical card without a recognized serious condition. The pivotal role of a doctor in this process cannot be understated; they are essential for evaluating and endorsing your need for medical cannabis. This brings us to a crucial…
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.