Staying in “the know” about cannabis laws is extremely hard. Not only is it rarely reported on, but the actual information is hard to find. Well let me tell ya’ll something: Corporate Cannabis is back on their bullshit in Illinois. If you smoke weed, if you shop at dispensaries or even buy CBD related products, then you should know what’s going on. Mike Fourcher, the leading news source for cannabis in Illinois, reported that the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, a.k.a all of the corporate cunts currently monopolizing cannabis in Illinois, are trying to block social equity license holders from increasing their canopy to a competitive size. But what does this really mean for craft grow licenses, and what does it mean for you as a consumer? Let’s talk about it.
Social Equity licenses were issued last year. But after a series of hiccups that included change in legislation, lawsuits from out of state companies, and the constant choice to put cannabis on the backburner, a lot of these license holders are still just in the process of getting their places up and running. It costs MILLIONS to do this, millions that most of these social equity license winners don’t have just yet. Not only do these corporations poach these, mainly people of color, for part ownership of their companies, but they also create programs to “teach social equity license holders how to succeed like them” Because they know these license holders aren’t backed by millions of dollars. Now that they’ve found that a lot of these will not take their money, they are instead choosing to cockblock them.
You see, the costs to run a 14,000 facility, according to GrownIn, is more feasible than running a 5,000 facility. The larger space yields a bigger chance to compete against these Mc’Cannabis Brands. It’s what these license holders deserve, and it’s the type of options we as consumers deserve as well. The market should not be cornered by the few recognizable names that we know now, more variety will result in better quality products. Higher standards, and better representation in an industry that is still all white. It doesn’t matter how many people of color these corporations hire, opposing this bill shows their true stance on social equity. And it’s not a pretty one.
The biggest insult is how these corporations create organizations and websites and programs for social equity license winners. They want to heavily monitor every part of this process, of their competition. It’s insulting the way they feel like the “all-knowing” when it comes to what’s good for the cannabis market. “Our association will continue to support inclusion and diversity, and we stand ready to work with all stakeholders to create the most robust and equitable recreational cannabis industry in the nation” read part of their hypocritical response to being questioned about their opposition. It’s insulting that they think the only way social equity license holders can succeed is through them, but it’s true. It’s what our state is allowing to happen. Which in turn, is not true social equity at all.
The CBIA is the largest organization that represents corporate companies like Cresco Labs, Verano Holdings, and Pharmacann. Names that have become all too familiar in Illinois. Visit their social media and you will very soon see a person of color. That is because large corporations like these are happy as long as people of color are working FOR THEM, instead of competing with them. We will never have true social equity until these corporations are no longer allowed to hinder license holders, applicants, and even consumers. What a shame that on the tail of Black History Month, they have chosen to push back against the very group of people that they create social media posts for. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, I refuse to support brands and buy weed from people who don’t look like me. And I challenge all of you to boycott purchasing from dispensaries until social equity license winners are given an equal chance.
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