This Group Is Fighting to Make Cannabis Inclusive
Image Credit: Cannaclusive on Flickr
Cannaclusive is a grassroots community that is fighting for inclusivity and diversity in the rapidly growing cannabis industry in the USA. The organisation aims to tackle the lack of diversity in today’s growing cannabis culture. Their focus is on challenging stereotypes and improving the representation and treatment of minority cannabis users.
The organisation was founded by three black American women; Mary Pryor, Tonya Flash and Charlese Antoinette. Two of them have used medical cannabis as their primary treatment for chronic illnesses for a number of years. These women have combined their decades of experience in the areas of design, community engagement, marketing and all things digital to create a nationwide movement through Cannaclusive.
Tired of feeling like the odd ones out at cannabis events, they decided to do something to represent people of color in what has become a heavily whitewashed legal cannabis movement.
The women decided to embark on their journey in an effort to correct the long-standing misconceptions around who uses cannabis in America today. They want the recreational and medical cannabis culture of today to be seen for what it has truly become, diverse, vibrant and enjoyed by people of all ages, genders, races and religions.
Discrimination in Cannabis Culture
Statistics show that cannabis use is evenly distributed across white american and black american populations. The fact that the vast majority of US citizens who serve time for cannabis use today are young people of color is proof that the stereotypes these women are fighting to dismantle are alive and well in the american justice system.
Even outside of the justice system, many people continue to associate recreational cannabis use with young people of color living in economically disadvantaged urban areas. This perception may have had some truth behind it in the past, but it is an outdated and wholly inaccurate portrayal of cannabis culture in America today.
As laws and attitudes change, Cannaclusive carries out important advocacy work to ensure that people of color enjoy the benefits of the drug, and the freedom to do so, that are readily available to other citizens. They do this through the production of their beautifully styled and sophisticated photo collection, through their presence and high levels of engagement on social media platforms such as Instagram, and through the running of educational events and workshops.
As attitudes towards cannabis slowly shift in the minds and hearts of Americans today, inclusivity and diversity continue to be priorities for many people. Cannaclusive are working hard to tackle these issues and make today’s cannabis culture a more welcoming place for all Americans.
