The cannabis industry is inherently tied to social justice. You’ve likely heard this assertion before, but what, exactly, does it mean?
As a cannabis PR company that emerged from advocacy efforts, NisonCo has a long history in the cannabis industry — and an even longer history in social justice movements. We’re passionate about helping the cannabis industry be the best it can be, and in this blog, we’re exploring why social justice is such a large part of that consideration.
The History of Cannabis in the U.S.
Let’s start at the beginning. For much of the United States’ history, cannabis and hemp were legal. In fact, cannabis was added to the United States Pharmacopeia in 1850. That changed in the late 1930s.
In 1937, Harry Anslinger, Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, drafted the Marihuana Tax Act. This tightly regulated both hemp and cannabis in the U.S. and, many argue, had racist and xenophobic motivations.
The Marihuana Tax Act was declared unconstitutional in 1969, but it was followed by the Controlled Substances Act in 1970. Cannabis was declared a Schedule I drug and placed under even more scrutiny than before — another legislative move that many argue was born from racism. The Controlled Substances Act also began the so-called “War on Drugs,” an (ineffective) campaign that has disproportionately harmed people of color and marginalized communities.
Thankfully, in recent years, cannabis reform has gained massive traction — federal rescheduling is even a possibility. Many states have decriminalized or legalized cannabis, and more people and organizations are recognizing that cannabis reform is an essential part of the continuing push for social justice in the U.S.
Why is Cannabis Social Justice Important?
The cannabis industry has seen incredible legal change over the past decades, but the problem persists. We need to make sure everyone, especially those who have been disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition, can benefit from the blooming industry.
Ensuring Equitable Access to Medical Cannabis
Cannabis is medicine. This fact, long acknowledged in the cannabis community, is gaining more traction in conventional medicine.
However, healthcare disparity is a major social justice problem in the U.S., even in the medical cannabis industry. To ensure that cannabis is truly an equitable space — and to promote health equity — we must ensure that everyone who needs it has access to safe, high-quality medical cannabis products, educational resources, and prescribing doctors.
Righting the Wrongs of the War on Drugs
Prejudiced cannabis laws have had a disproportionate impact on people of color and marginalized communities, leaving lasting impacts on individuals, families, and our society.
As the cannabis sector develops into a multibillion-dollar industry, we have the power to right those wrongs and make a massive contribution to social justice efforts across the board. Social equity programs for people entering the regulated cannabis space, community-oriented initiatives led by dispensaries, and more can all help heal the harms wrought by the War on Drugs.
Building a Sustainable Cannabis Industry
The cannabis industry has come under fire for a lack of sustainability, with critics citing everything from water and energy use to pesticide and fertilizer runoff and product waste. It’s becoming increasingly clear that environmental justice is tied to social justice, and the cannabis industry has a responsibility here, too.
Thankfully, this is becoming a more prominent focus for many cannabis companies, which are prioritizing both people and the planet while trying to build a socially just industry.
Every cannabis company needs to be thinking about social justice. Click the image above to learn how NisonCo PR can help your company spread the word about its equity initiatives and join the conversation about cannabis and social justice.
How You Can Help Support Social Justice in Cannabis
There are many ways you can help support equitable initiatives in the cannabis industry — and, therefore, support society-wide social justice, too.
— Learn about cannabis legislation issues. Education is the basis of change in any capacity. To promote cannabis reform as a social justice issue, ensure you know how to talk about the problems and stay informed by reading books and blogs and listening to podcasts.
— Choose cannabis companies that focus on social justice. You can help uphold cannabis social justice by choosing to work with cannabrands that emphasize equity as part of their mission. Shopping at dispensaries and buying products that give back to their communities or partnering with cannabis justice-focued firms (like NisonCo) are great ways to join the community and make a tangible difference.
— Support cannabis reform organizations. There are also countless cannabis justice organizations out there that need support. Organizations like the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the Last Prisoner Project (LPP) are always accepting donations and looking for volunteers.
Amplify Your Cannabrand’s Social Justice Efforts With Cannabis PR
Are you a cannabis industry professional looking to join the conversation around cannabis social justice? You’re in the right place. NisonCo is the oldest cannabis PR firm in the United States, and since the company’s inception in 2013, we’ve helped hundreds of companies like yours promote their social justice efforts and make a difference in the industry and beyond.
For more information about our PR, content creation, SEO, AI, and marketing services, send us a message today. We look forward to working with you!
