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.
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.
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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 [email protected]
courtney mathis| Founder/PresidentkindColorado [email protected]
