NEW YORK – June 23, 2020 – PRESS RELEASE – Minorities for Medical Marijuana (“M4MM”) and the Minority Cannabis Business Association (“MCBA”) have announced that they will partner to host a live virtual event titled “Dismantling Systemic Racism in the Cannabis Industry: A Call to Action,” on June 26.
The event is designed to acknowledge and call the industry to action to dismantle systematic racism in the cannabis industry today while standing in solidarity with the protests against systemic racism and violence against black and brown people in the United States. Speakers include the son of Notorious B.I.G. and THINK BIG founder C.J. Wallace, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers, and Curaleaf Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Khadijah Tribble.
“The outrage sparked by the horrific murder of George Floyd has spread into a national moment of awakening for many people, as evidenced by the continued marches we are seeing across the country,” said Roz McCarthy, Founder and CEO of M4MM. “As members of the cannabis industry, which has an acute perspective of the systematic racism perpetrated by the War on Drugs, it is our duty to stand up and actively support the mission of dismantling systemic racism. We hope our industry partners will join us in this endeavor.”
Jason Ortiz, president of MCBA, said, “While the cannabis industry should represent a fresh start to build an industry the right way, we are already seeing white-owned businesses scooping up the majority of licenses while black and brown people are finding themselves shut out. At the same time, POC communities are still being targeted by the War on Drugs, serving prison time while white business owners profit off the industry. If we want to build this industry the right way that benefits all the people, this has to change immediately.”
The event will begin at 8:40 p.m. E.T., with an eight-minute and forty-six second moment of silence beginning at 8:46 p.m. E.T., acknowledging the amount of time that George Floyd suffered at the hands of Minneapolis police before dying. Following the period of silence, the event will continue with programming from M4MM, MCBA, and other members of the cannabis industry. All funds raised will go to organizations fighting for equity, justice and inclusion in the cannabis space.
To access the virtual event, please register here.
