For Immediate Release November 4, 2020 

Contact:

Amber Littlejohn, Executive Director

Amber@minoritycannabis.org, 202 769 9970

Jason Ortiz, Board President

Jason@minoritycannabis.org, 860 639 8101

 

Minority Cannabis Business Association Applauds House Leaders for Laying the Foundation for Equitable Cannabis Policy

 

Today, the House of Representatives passed historic legislation that lays a foundation for equity and justice to serve as a cornerstone for federal cannabis policy. 

Although Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) supports and applauds the social equity provisions including the expungement of records and the establishment of an Opportunity Trust Fund and the Cannabis Justice Office, we have grave concerns over the provisions in this bill that we believe would have an immediate chilling effect on individual members in our community and minority business owners more broadly.

Representatives Blumenauer and Lee have been unwavering champions not only for cannabis policy reform, but for those who have been most impacted by cannabis prohibition and the broader War on Drugs. However, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act secured victory through a potential cost to impacted individuals and communities. 

Economic justice for those who have been deprived of basic rights and opportunities due to the unjust enactment and enforcement of cannabis laws must be central to federal cannabis policy. Whether through messaging bills like the MORE Act, or the ultimate federal cannabis framework, the voice of those most harmed must be present, heard, and honored. The absence of their voice will continue to yield results like the amended version of the MORE Act passed today- an incomplete representation of equity and justice. 

We thank Representatives Blumenauer and Lee for their continued support and look forward to the opportunity to work together to create federal cannabis policy that includes economic justice for communities of color.