DECEMBER 2018: The midterm elections this past November resulted in many victories. A record number of women and POC were voted into congress; the democratic party regained control of the house; and a record number of young voters made it all possible. But one of the more exciting victories was the progress made towards cannabis reform.

One of the least divisive issues in our country, cannabis reform has continuously gained support on a state and federal level. Although North Dakota residents voted against the legalization of recreational use of cannabis for adults, Michigan made history by becoming the first state in the midwest to legalize the recreational use for adults. While Missouri and Utah passed ballot measures that legalized medical marijuana. Additionally, five cities in Ohio voted to decriminalize the plant, and Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly supported non-binding ballot questions calling for cannabis reform...but what does all of this mean?

Of course it means there will be no criminal penalties for the adult use of marijuana, but how does this work? And who is responsible for making it work? Who is going to regulate the industry? Who is backing and investing in the industry? Who is going to lead the industry? How do you get involved in the industry? Where do you start?!

Well, according to Mary Pryor, digital marketing strategist and co-founder of Cannaclusive, if you’re pondering these questions for the first time, you’re already playing catch-up in an industry that is growing at an exponential rate.

Founded in 2017, Cannaclusive is an organization pioneered by women of color that is dedicated to answering these questions, while also improving the lack of diversity and inclusion within the cannabis industry.

“On a state and federal level, we don’t understand how far behind we are,” Pryor noted.

“We don’t know how many opportunities we’ve missed out on, or haven’t been afforded, and it’s really scary when you look at how fast the industry is growing.”

More pro-legalization politicians have taken office, and large corporations have openly expressed their interest in, or have already announced their plans to get in on the canna-business. Which means the barriers to enter are rising, and competition is getting more intense.

“The reality is, we’re not ready, and we have to get ready. We’re looking at an industry where white people are throwing High Tea parties...and it’s cute, but my question is how are you getting this weed in your house? Who is your supplier?” She joked.

Pryor’s questions, funny or not, are valid. It’s questions like these, along with a noticeable lack of inclusion in cannabis spaces, that prompted the creation of Cannaclusive.

As with many other industries in this country, the higher you climb, the fewer people of color you see. We’re left out of rooms [intentionally and consequently] where important conversations are being had, and where crucial decisions are being made - some that even directly affect our communities. This becomes a social justice issue when affluent ‘Marijuana Moms’ are glorified for their revolutionary parenting in the media, while people with less accessibility are serving time in jail or have a criminal record for possession - most of the times for similar reasons ‘Marijuana Moms’ are glorified.

This 2019 GMA story, while not necessarily making a case for marijuana, normalizes the drug in a way that is condescending to all people of color currently incarcerated for non-violent offenses. In an essay for Parents.com, writer Leah Campbell reveals small amounts keep her "present" and "functional" for her daughter.

“Cannabis is something that I’ve been using as a part of my healing process in dealing with Crohn's. Moving to LA was just having better access to it, and seeing if I wanted to be actively involved in the industry.”

“However, I quickly discovered when going to events that it was just me, maybe two other black people … and it was wild,” Pryor recalls. The lack of inclusion, however, wasn’t something new to the Detroit native.

“Unfortunately, if you’ve ever been black and smart, or you’ve found yourself in rooms that just simply haven’t been afforded to all of us, you become accustomed to coded language. People will ask you questions like; how did you find out about this? What brought you here? Or, What do you do?”

“Even in my early thirties, and with all of the work that I have done outside of the cannabis space, I still get these types of questions,” she laughed. “My favorite one is, ‘wow, you’re so passionate about cannabis’... No b****, I’m an investor, I do dispenser relations, I have my own businesses, and I’ve been working in advertising and digital marketing for over a decade. But when you’re used to being one of the only ones in the room, you gotta get over it.”

Before she took the cannabis industry by storm, Pryor worked for major brands including Sony Music Group, Viacom, Black Enterprise, CBS News, Ebony Magazine, Rolling Stone, McCann XBC & McCann Health, Mindshare, and more. It was early on in her career that she noticed a need for agencies that catered to niche audiences, especially people of color. Although she has worked for diversity and inclusion throughout most of her career, it wasn’t until she entered the cannabis space, that the need for Cannaclusive became apparent.

“After the third or fourth event my business partner, Tonya Rapley, and I were like screw this - we have to be the ones to step in front of this.”

“The psychological effects of having to always speak on the behalf others that are marginalized is a whole other conversation, but when you know what it is and you’re tired of it, you move quickly. You get tired of people trying to stifle you out of the room, and we knew we couldn’t wait for anything to be handed to us.”

“It only took us nine days to figure out our aha moment,” she continued. “Our original mission was stock photography, due to the lack of positive images of people of color using cannabis...I mean, we’re either made to look like Snoop Dogg, or we are Snoop Dogg. But we quickly discovered that there was so much more that we could provide people of color in this space.”

There are in fact people of color making major moves within the industry, but these people make up less than a fifth of the $11 billion industry, and only 4.3% of those individuals are black.

Even more alarming than the lack of diversity in the cannabis industry, is the fact that everyone sees it, but few are doing anything about it.

Past presidential administrations have admitted that Nixon's war on drugs was not only a failure, but that it unjustly targeted people of color, ultimately subjecting millions of people and their families to the criminal justice system. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, both black and white people use cannabis at similar rates, yet black people are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for possession.

Shockingly, this number has stayed the same, or even increased in states that have legalized recreational use. And now, with federal legalization looming, the very people who are unfairly targeted and punished are being kept out of the narrative. Henceforth, our involvement in the industry goes beyond starting businesses and investing. We have to be actively involved in every aspect to ensure we too can benefit socially, economically, and politically.

Because as it stands, we don’t have much of a foothold in any of these areas.

When this “learning curve” [for lack of better words] became apparent, the women of Cannaclusive evolved to be more than just a representation of inclusivity in the cannabis space. The organization now provides educational and consultative services to start-ups in the cannabis space; they hold monthly meetings in New York (and soon Detroit); and will host an online conference for at the top of the New Year.

“I’m not passionate, I’m urgent about doing this work,” said Pryor. I’ve evolved beyond passion. I’m about you making money, I’m about me making money. If I’m putting my time and effort into Cannaclusive the way I am, this isn’t a passion. This is my business.”

Cannaclusive and Mary Pryor have succeeded in stepping in front of the conversation, and providing solutions. Already a recognizable force in the industry, the organization and its members have just gotten started.

In the near future, the organization plans on releasing a directory for black and POC businesses for the industry. Additionally, Pryor has plans of connecting with Universities in order to get student organizations to stimulate these conversations on campus, and maybe even creating a branch to get students ready for the business; as these are the kinds of opportunities that will allow us to build generational wealth.

“You have to take people’s lack of knowledge and use it to your advantage,” she says. “If you live in a state that doesn’t have it’s shit together, you should move.”

“If your business / idea is viable,and you’re ready to do what you need to do, you need to move to a place that has available recreational, as well as the resources you need to see things through. Waiting may cause you to miss the skill and development you need to compete.”

Pryor urges those interested in the canna-business to stay educated, and involved by joining organizations such as Minorities for Medical Marijuana. “We’re already behind, so you can’t use lack of information as an excuse. There’s too much out there. Get people to believe in your idea and gain that monetary support. Friends, family, the block...however you can get it, because you can’t go to the bank.”

The cannabis industry, still in it’s infant stage, has undoubtedly become a force to be reckoned with. This means the opportunity to capitalize on this industry is still a tangible reality for many. But we must be aware of these opportunities when they present themselves, and be diligent in our pursuit. Because where there is money, there will be inequality.

“As for the future, we want to be able to support people more directly. But honestly, we don’t want to have to be around in five years. After three years we want to be able to say the work can live on, we’ve accomplished what we’ve sought to do.”

A Word From Ms. Mary Pryor