In recent weeks, nationwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality have drawn attention to the stark racial disparities within the cannabis industry. Advocates have rightfully pointed out the fact that Black individuals are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession and five times more likely to go to prison compared to white individuals, even though both demographics consume the plant at roughly the same rate. It’s no secret that cannabis laws have been historically used by law enforcement to target Black and brown communities. While white entrepreneurs are currently able to legally operate cannabis cultivation and retail businesses, a disproportionate number of Black Americans are still incarcerated for selling the same plant. To make matters even worse, most of these individuals are barred from working in the legal industry even after they are released from prison because of their criminal records.
