Racial Equity in the Cannabis Market

Updates on the Emerging Cannabis Market

The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, as one of the founding members of the Vermont Cannabis Equity Coalition participated in submitting sweeping recommendations to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) for its public rulemaking process, and in support of a cannabis economy in Vermont which is racially just, economically equitable, agriculturally accessible, and environmentally sound.

The Cannabis market is the first market to be created in Vermont since the acknowledgment of the existence of and the commitment to eradicate systemic racism. It is imperative that historical and ongoing economic oppression and exploitation of Black Americans be considered in every aspect of the development, rollout and regulation of this market

Research indicates that most cannabis market rollouts address social equity with the status quo approach of attempting to “correct harm caused to those “impacted” by disproportionate policing of cannabis in Black and Brown communities”. This is currently being attempted through methods like expungement, eliminating employment barriers for those with “marijuana” related charges and convictions and offering those previously arrested on “marijuana” charges assistance in entering the market. The Vermont Cannabis Equity Coalition sought to introduce a more substantive and appropriate approach that accounts for the impact of systemic racism across the entire market and beyond.

​​We strongly urged the CCB to incorporate approaches in their operational processes to ensure the creation of a sustainable and equitable market from the onset. We offered a list of global racial equity recommendations largely reflecting the enabling statute of the Racial Equity Executive Director.  We urged the CCB to address equity with adequate and sustainable funding, taking into account the need for community approaches to promote employment infrastructure and building capacity relating to social determinants of health.

You can find a copy of the report here

We’ve heard from you and now the Cannabis Control Board would like to hear from you as well.

Here is a chance for you to participate in the process!

The Cannabis Control Board Public Comment Meeting TONIGHT @ 6:00 PM
Link to join: https://bit.ly/3C7jOsd
Call-in Number: 802-828-7667
Phone Conference ID: 955 872 007#

No Taxation without Reparations!