Page 32 - LDBD Magazine - Issue 23 - Apr May Jun 2018
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Some Things We Need To Know About Marijuana
By Erik Range
The legalization of cannabis (marijuana) is sweeping across the nation and communi-
ties of color remain in the dark about how to access the plant in a safe and legal man-
ner. There is no shortage of reasons that contribute to the lack of knowledge minorities
have when it comes to the laws that govern medical marijuana programs. However,
covering each issue in-depth would prove too daunting of a task for the given format.
Suffice it to say, there are levels to unpacking the decades of injustice suffered by many
as a result of the prohibition of a plant.
Rather than spell out the history of cannabis prohibition in the United States or
provide commentary on the grotesque failure of the “War on Drugs” and its impact
on African American and Latino communities, this article will focus on educating
the reader on where we are today. There are some things we need to know about
legalization.
1. It’s Really Called Cannabis – The scientific name for the plant that we have
come to know by many names: weed, marijuana, pot, dope, ganja and so on is actually
Cannabis. While widely used and accepted, even the term Medical Marijuana is an
inappropriate and derogatory term. Google “term marijuana” and see for yourself.
2. Cannabis Is Medicine - Perhaps the most important thing communities of color
should know is that Cannabis is a medicine and has been for thousands of years.
Propaganda and miseducation has led most to believe that it is a drug and that cannabis users are lazy, unproductive
and criminal. You might be surprised to know that while your federal government holds a patent on cannabis as a
medicine they simultaneously hinder research on the positive effects of the plant as a medicine. Despite this fact, and
despite popular believe the science behind medical cannabis is available and real.
3. Legal Medical Cannabis Is Available – To date, 29 states have legalized medical cannabis use for its citizens.
Readers can check with their state’s health department or medical marijuana office to learn about the process to become
a legal patient. It is also important to note that it is still a federal crime to possess/consume cannabis and that Attorney
General Jeff Sessions has taken steps that are viewed as hostile to the industry. Even still, patients should take solace
knowing that the federal government is less concerned with patients who follow their state’s rules than drug cartels and
licensed cannabis companies.
4. Decrimalization vs. Legalization – Communities of color should fully support efforts to remove cannabis
possession off of the list of criminal offenses at all levels of government. However, this should be seen as a first step to
reforming cannabis laws, only full legalization offers the protection needed. Even more, what many African American
and Hispanic communities really need are expungement services giving them a clean slate and a real shot at a career
versus a job.
5. We Can’t Afford To Sit On The Sidelines – There is simply too much at stake for African American and
Hispanic communities, which have already paid the price for cannabis, to remain uneducated and disengaged.
Millionaires and Fortune 100 companies are being birth right before our eyes, just as we saw during the dot com
boom of the 90’s, and there is space for minority professionals and minority-owned businesses to thrive if they
simply get off the sidelines.
Advocacy groups like Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana not only participate in shaping the laws but in educating
our communities about medical cannabis. For more information go to www.m4mmunited.org.
_____________________________________
Erik Range is the CEO of ART420 LLC, an ancillary cannabis business which provides custom fine art created specifically for the industry.
He also serves as the Board Chair for the non profit organization Minorities For Medical Marijuana which is a leading voice on public policy,
patient advocacy, business development and social justice issues in the cannabis industry. In his role as Board Chair, Mr. Range's efforts and
assistance led to the successful inclusion of “diversity language” in the bill to implement Florida’s Medical Marijuana Program.
32 | Apr May Jun 2018 LIVING Day By Day •Net
