In the U.S. today, marijuana is medically legalized in 37 states, while available recreationally in 18 states. With 4/20 around the corner, it’s important to remember the harsh reality many Black people face every day for marijuana. Cannabis is big business yet even in states that have legalized or decriminalized marijuana possession, Black people are still more likely to be arrested for it than White people. In a 2018 study by the ACLU, researchers found that “Black people are 3.6 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana, despite similar usage rates.”
Black people constantly face legal persecution for marijuana while still being disenfranchised by the policies and practices surrounding cannabis in America. According to Marijuana Business Daily, approximately 81% of cannabis business owners or founders are white, while only 4% are Black. Today, white entrepreneurs are awarded and profit off the cannabis industry, while Black people are continuously prosecuted for cannabis-related crimes and kept out of the industry. It is important now more than ever to become conscious cannabis consumers. Here are 4 Black-Owned Canna-Businesses you can support this 4/20.
Ardent
Ardent is a Black woman-owned cannabis company founded by Shanel Lindsay. Lindsay developed the NOVA, an all-in-one portable cannabis kitchen for decarboxylation (the process of converting cannabis into its active form). Decarbolyation offers marijuana users an alternative to smoking such as edibles. The brand also sells infusion kits, molds, and other edible-making accessories.
Canna Luxe CO.
Canna Luxe Co. is a luxury smoke accessory shop made with aesthetically pleasing pieces that don’t compromise femininity. Canna Luxe CO. specializes in smoking accessories like water pipes, ashtrays, grinders, and more. The brand was founded by Black entrepreneur Tori Owens. Check out Canna Luxe Co. for your next smoking accessory.
Pretty High Co.
Pretty High Co. is a Black woman-owned cannabis company founded by Sabrina Peterson. Pretty High Co. specializes in hemp and CBD products along with merch. The main difference between CBD and hemp is the cannabinoid content. Both products come from the same plant, hemp has 0.3% or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), meaning hemp-derived products don’t contain enough THC to create the “high” traditionally associated with marijuana. CBD is a chemical found in marijuana that doesn’t contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high. CBD is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, pain, and many medical illnesses. Pretty High CO. offers a variety of CBD products such as CBD Seasonings, CBD Hot Sauce, CBD Bubble Bath, and more.
Monogram
Monogram is a high-end marijuana brand by Jay-Z and San Jose cannabis startup, Caliva. The brand has four strains, with three different levels of THC, depending on how high the user wants to be. The brand currently has six different strains, which include No. 01, No. 03, No. 08, No. 70, No. 88, and No. 96. Monogram is available for purchase and delivery in California.
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