Cannabis industry groups team up for minority access

While people of color have borne the brunt of Drug War arrests and incarcerations, the above-ground cannabis industry often has been criticized for some time as being a white person’s game. Two cannabis industry groups, the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) and the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) have formed a new partnership where each organization will support the other’s work to try to increase parity within the industry.

This new working partnership will align the two nonprofits’ work around respective projects and events that complement each organization’s mission: MCBA exists “to create equal access and economic empowerment for cannabis businesses, their patients, and the communities most affected by the war on drugs,” and NCIA’s mission is “to promote the growth of a legitimate and responsible cannabis industry.”

Hope to boost minority presence in industry

A Steering Committee will be formed, initially comprised of NCIA and MCBA staff representatives and members of NCIA’s Minority Business Council, which will be absorbed into the new partnership.

The Steering Committee will discuss each organization’s upcoming efforts and events, select the best opportunities for collaboration, and work out the details of each organization’s contributions to the other’s planned scope of work for the following year.

MCBA members in good standing will receive discounted registration fees to select NCIA events, including its Quarterly Cannabis Caucus series, Seed To Sale Show and Cannabis Business Summit & Expo events. MCBA and NCIA’s respective Policy Councils may also collaborate towards mutually shared advocacy goals.

Minority scholarship to Oakland Cannabis Summit

In addition, NCIA is pleased to again offer 30 scholarships, in partnership with MCBA, for free registration (valued at up $895) to NCIA’s 4th Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, June 12-14, 2017, in Oakland, CA. The scholarship is for qualified applicants to support minority groups’ success within the cannabis industry.

Applicants must be:

• A member of a racial/ethnic minority group
• Currently employed as a mid-to-senior level industry professional or as a cannabis-related business CEO or founder for at least one (1) year
• Have demonstrated professional, advocacy, or civic/community leadership experience
• Committed to fully engage in all Cannabis Business Summit scholarship benefits
• Have a demonstrable need for financial assistance to attend the Cannabis Business Summit

Applications are due Friday, April 21, 2017. Up to 30 scholarships will be granted to the highest-scoring applicants, as determined by members of the Steering Committee. Awardees will be notified the week of April 30. Interested applicants can find more information and fill out the form to apply online here.