Legal But Not Equal: The Fight for Cannabis Social Equity

• Yvette McDowell, Founder, Yvette McDowell Consulting. Yvette is a seasoned attorney, consultant, and a fierce advocate for social equity in cannabis. She has a background in law enforcement and public service and now works to ensure fair access and justice for those harmed most by the war on drugs.
• Whitney Beatty, the visionary behind Josephine & Billie's, one of the first Black woman-owned dispensaries in Los Angeles, was inspired by the historic “teapads” where Black communities once gathered to consume cannabis safely and build culture.
• Bryant Mitchell, the founder of Blaqstar Farms, Bryant is dedicated to producing high-quality, sustainable cannabis while fostering diversity and inclusion in the industry. His brand stands out for its premium products and commitment to empowering communities of color through equitable business practices and advocacy.
• Rico Lamitte, formerly known as Rico Tarver, is a dynamic entrepreneur, media personality, and advocate for cannabis reform. As a storyteller and founder of Canivison, he uses his platform to educate, challenge stigma, and push for policies that create a more inclusive industry.
• Andrea Drummer, the visionary behind Elevation VIP has revolutionized the intersection of fine dining and cannabis. As a pioneering cannabis chef, she has crafted infused gourmet experiences that elevate the plant’s culinary potential, breaking barriers in both the food and cannabis industries.
• Dr. Brandie Makeba Cross, a pioneering cannabinoid scientist and founder of The Pot Lab, will expose the racist origins of marijuana prohibition and explain why social equity isn’t just about business—it’s about justice.

🌱 🌿 Leaders, Advocates & Changemakers

• Black Girl Magic Aims High – Joy King (Cannabis Now, Feb 2025)
  Celebrates the bold entrepreneurship of women of color reshaping the cannabis space through empowerment and purpose.
• CEO Whitney Beatty on Launching Josephine & Billie's, – Aria Biswas (Meadow, March 2022)
  An inside look at building the first dispensary designed by and for women of color, with a focus on wellness, community, and equity.
• Jay-Z’s Monogram Company Partners With First Cannabis Dispensary Designed For Women Of Color – Corein Carter (Forbes, Nov 2021) - Details how partnerships are reshaping cannabis access and visibility for historically marginalized communities.
• 🖤 Influential Black Leaders in Cannabis History – Bud's Goods (Feb 2024) - A tribute to influential Black pioneers whose contributions continue to shape cannabis advocacy, culture, and entrepreneurship.

🔍  Social Impact & Community Equity

• Are Cannabis Social Equity Programs Truly Equitable? Gender Policy Report – Magaly Ordonez (Gender Policy Report, University of Minnesota, Feb 2024)
  An analytical perspective on whether existing cannabis social equity initiatives genuinely address systemic barriers for impacted communities.
• Why Social Equity Is Needed for Those Harmed by the War on Drugs – Maria Calabrese (Green Bee Life, Feb 2023)
  A compelling perspective on why restorative justice and equitable access are essential to the future of the legal cannabis industry.
• Effects of Historical Inequity and Institutional Power on Cannabis Research: Moving Toward Equity and Inclusion – Renee Martin Willett, Madeline Stranger, Wanda James, Angela D. Bryan, L. Cinnamon Bidwell (National Library of Medicine, Dec 2023)
  A scholarly review analyzing systemic bias in cannabis research and how to foster greater inclusion in scientific inquiry.
• Persistent Inequities in Cannabis Policy | Baker Institute – Katharine Neil Harris and William Martin (Judge's Journal, Winter 2021)
  An in-depth look at the racial and social disparities embedded in cannabis legislation and enforcement.
• State cannabis reform is putting social justice front and center – Sabina Morris, John Hudak, Christine Stenglein (Brookings Institution, April 2021) - Explores how state-level reforms are incorporating social equity into modern cannabis regulation.
• California cannabis social equity program, rife with corruption, lives or dies at local level – Bart Schaneman (MJBizDaily, July 2020) - A revealing report on the challenges and inconsistencies facing equity applicants at the municipal level in California.
• Marijuana Legalization Is a Racial Justice Issue | ACLU – Charlotte Resing (ACLU, April 2019)
  Highlights how racial disparities in cannabis enforcement drive the need for reparative legalization policies.

📣 Equity in Action: Organizations, Voices and Tools

• Yvette McDowell Consulting
  Cannabis policy advisor and public health consultant working at the intersection of equity, public safety, and community well-being.🌟
• SUPERNOVA WOMEN
  Empowering people of color—especially women—to become self-sufficient shareholders in the cannabis economy through education, advocacy, and business development.
• The Hood Incubator
  A nonprofit organization focused on building a more equitable and just cannabis industry by investing in Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
• NCIA Social Equity Scholarship Program Supporting social equity applicants and small business owners from marginalized communities through education, resources, and cannabis industry access.
• The Marijuana Policy Project
  An advocacy initiative addressing racial disparities in cannabis policy and promoting social equity across legalization efforts.
• Marijuana Law Reform – ACLU ⚖️
  Learn more about the ACLU's advocacy for marijuana policy reform as a cornerstone of racial and criminal justice.
• 🎓 UCLA CannaClub
  A student-led organization dedicated to advancing cannabis education, research, and dialogue within the UCLA community.
• 💚🐝 Green Bee Life Learning Center
  Explore beginner-friendly guides, articles, and resources to support conscious cannabis consumption and advocacy.
• Josephine & Billie's Official Website
  Discover the first dispensary created by and for women of color, celebrating a unique and inclusive cannabis retail experience.

📗 Recommended Reading

• Waiting to Inhale: Cannabis Legalization and the Fight for Racial Justice – Akwasi Owusu-Bempah & Tahira Rehmatullah (April 2023) - A powerful examination of how cannabis laws intersect with systemic racism—and what equitable legalization should look like.
• Marijuana A Short History, – John Hudak (Brookings Institution, June 2020)
  A concise yet comprehensive chronicle of marijuana’s complicated history in American law, politics, and culture.

🌞 California Specific

• 🏛️ California’s State and Local Jurisdiction Equity Programs – Department of Cannabis Control
  A centralized resource offering state-level insights and local program data related to cannabis equity initiatives in California.
• 📄 MCBA California Equity Project State Briefing
  An overview of California's social equity programs prepared by the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA).
• 📊 Pathways and Practices for Cannabis Social and Health Equity in Los Angeles County
  A detailed equity assessment was conducted for the LA County Office of Cannabis Management.

Watch and explore deeper conversations and reports related to racial justice and cannabis equity:

• 🎥 Watch Cannabis Legalization and the Fight for Racial Justice
  Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School (YouTube, April 2023)
  A powerful panel discussion on the intersection of cannabis policy and racial justice, featuring legal scholars, advocates, and industry leaders.
• 📄 SPARK Report – City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation
  An equity-focused analysis outlining systemic challenges and policy recommendations for creating a fair and inclusive cannabis industry in Los Angeles.