How Corporate Social Responsibility in Cannabis Can Repair Harms of the War on Drugs

Speakers: Adam Vine, Cage-Free CannabisKelly Perez, KindColoradoBetty Aldworth, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Moderator: Marc Ross, Needle Consultants

Sponsored by:

Sustainability in Cannabisa new understanding

Adam Vine October 2018

● Cage-Free Cannabis - B-corporation● Cage-Free Repair - 501c3● Historic Disparities and Impact of the

War on Drugs● Sustainability of Communities

Introduction

Solutions

REPAIREQUITY JUSTICE

Social Equity Programs- Prioritized licensing for directly impacted people- Incentives for non-equity operators to incubate equity applicants

Post-Conviction Relief- Typically low-level cannabis offenses

Community Reinvestment- Sending cannabis tax revenue or philanthropy to directly-impacted communities

Current Models

How Companies Can HelpHiring (at all levels)Supply Chain ImpactVolunteeringPhilanthropy (Equity)Free/Discounted ProductIncubation

Who decideswhat repair looks like?

But who was pardoned?

At leastthey tried, though.

If you have questions, suggestions, or other feedback, please get in touch.

adam@cagefreecannabis.com

Our Network

Our Work

MOVEMENT BUILDINGCommunity organizing, leadership development, advocate training

POLICY CHANGEAdult use and medical marijuana, therapeutic psychedelics, harm reduction, sentencing reform, civil rights, racial justice

TRAINING & EDUCATIONSkills training, political science, drug law philosophy and practice, peer-to-peer drug education, community dialogues and events

Our CampaignsMarijuana Policy ReformOrganizing for decriminalization, medical, and adult-use reforms

Call 911 Good Samaritan PoliciesMaking a call for help safe & legal

Campus ChangeProtecting students from eviction, suspension, and expulsion

Access to Harm ReductionExpanding naloxone, syringe exchange, and drug checking

Higher Education Act ReformProtecting access to education

Lowering the Drinking AgeCreating safe spaces rather than encouraging dangerous behaviors

Global Drug PolicyOrganizing youth from around the globe at the UN

Psychedelic Policy ReformSupporting therapeutic research & legalization

Drug DecriminalizationReplacing criminal penalties for personal use

Amend The Rave ActProviding water & education at venues & festivals

US Cannabis Reforms

Adult use

Medica l use

Limited medica l

SSDP chapte rs re forming laws today

SSDP Alumni

Shaleen Title ‘02

Tom Angell ‘00

Troy Dayton ‘98

Evan Nison ‘09

Amanda Reiman ‘99

James Gould ‘15 Angel Alexander ‘16

Kris Krane ‘98

State Advocacy Priorities

• Equity• Expungement & decriminalization• Environmental stewardship• Education• Intersectional issues: employment, family law,

housing, policing, social use

National Advocacy Priorities

• Geopolitically appropriate systems• Equity• Expungement & decriminalization• Environmental stewardship• Education• Intersectional issues: employment, family law,

housing, policing, social use

Millennial Expectations• 70% are willing to pay more for products and services of companies with CSR programs.• 91% are more loyal to a company that supports a social or environmental issue.• 64% consider a company's CSR commitments when deciding where to work.• 75% would choose to work for a socially responsible company, even for less money.• 89% want hands-on activities around environmental responsibility in the workplace.

• 35% of ethnically diverse companies outperform their peer companies.• Diverse companies are:

– 2.9x more likely to identify and build leaders;– 1.8x more likely to be change ready;– 1.7x more likely to be innovation leaders.

CONTACT US

BETTY ALDWORTHExecutive Director@bettyaldworth

ssdp@ssdp.org202-393-5280

ssdp.org

DATE

What We Do? We build social responsibility initiatives for the cannabis sector.

To make the right thing, the easy and showcase business value.

Equitable hiring, fair wages, community engagement, co-branded products, community advocacy, nonprofit participation, sustainable packaging,etc.

Why We Do It?

What It Looks Like

Cannabis Doing Good

Drug War Consequences - - - Potential CSR● Denied Access to Education, Housing and

Benefits

● Low-resourced Neighborhoods

● Employment Challenges

● Public Health

● Mental Health and Substance Abuse

● Anti-Black Racism deeply entrenched

● Policy reform, record seal/expunge/re-entry

● Contribute time, talent, treasure to community efforts including homelessness prevention

● Hire local community members, commitment to diverse hiring for positions with growth

● Food Justice efforts, urban agriculture, sexual health education

● Support wellness efforts, policy reform

Community Considerations/Barriers● New sector under regulatory siege, CSR can Inform efforts can help to identify “Mutual

Benefit”

● Understand risks and rewards for NPOs working with the cannabis sector

● Require revenue transparency - match community values

● Creative equity/justice thought partners needed now

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kelly perez | Founder/CEOkindColorado 303.667.0976kelly@kindcolorado.org

courtney mathis| Founder/PresidentkindColorado 720.431.7710courtney@kindcolorado.org