Medical Cannabis Can Lead the Way on Social Justice in Virginia

Robert Grey, Founder of Rappahannock Hemp Co.

Why should a pharmaceutical processor care about equity in the medical marijuana industry? Because like the adult-use industry, medical marijuana has the opportunity to right the historic injustices in drug enforcement and leverage the knowledge of minority entrepreneurs and businesspeople.

Recently, an article by former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe argued that Virginia can’t have marijuana legalization without equity. The Governor said that in order to address these systemic issues: “We have to think big.” I agree with that for all of the reasons that the Governor argues including the uneven and unfair enforcement of drug laws that have decimated black communities. Expunging prior convictions is needed to allow the new marijuana industry to better include minority ownership and employment.

So, in the interest of thinking big, I propose the following: that the medical cannabis industry — not just the adult-use industry — put social justice front and center. There is much work to be done here. Providers should make a commitment to participation of minority businesses as partners, executive teams, board members and employees. Additionally, newly licensed Virginia processors should dedicate a portion of their profits to justice advocacy, especially when it comes to convictions for marijuana-related crimes. Historically, black Americans and other minorities have found themselves disproportionately targeted by drug laws. Now that marijuana is becoming decriminalized and medical marijuana is now available in some form in most states, participation in the industry is now possible for everyone.

This is one of the primary drivers behind why I started Rappahannock Hemp Co. The sole intent and purpose of this effort is to not just deliver what’s required for the licensure, but also to promote minority Virginia businesses and provide support (financial, political, etc.) to help them become successful. This is a company created, funded and run by Virginians, for Virginians, with inclusion and social justice at the core of our value proposition.

While it is likely that adult-use will eclipse the medical market, I believe that in Virginia the medical industry has an obligation to pave the way and demonstrate the right way to implement these businesses. We are in the vanguard of the changing laws in Virginia, as medical use has been legalized first. So, it is on us to start correcting marijuana’s racial injustice. It makes no sense that African Americans and other minorities will see much less material benefit from this new thriving industry. In Virginia, this seems especially important. We can begin righting historic wrongs and properly share the Commonwealth’s rich bounty and heritage. This is not to say that we should only seek to redress social justice wrongs. My goal is to ensure the participation of minorities at every level, including many successful entrepreneurs and thought leaders in those communities.

Let’s make Virginia the nation’s leading case study for creating and leveraging social justice with marijuana policy.