She has to wait 5 years to work in the grass. Why exactly?
When she talks about cannabis, Anya Nicolas’ voice is electric.
The Renfrew, Ontario. Mother of four has a long history of using the plant, first as an herbal additive, something her family often practiced while growing up in Jamaica.
As a teenager, she used cannabis for recreational purposes. And later it became even more meaningful – it was and is a vital tool in recovery.
Despite possessing many of the traits of a passionate cannabis entrepreneur or star employee, Nicola didn’t feel she had her place in the industry.
Cannabis pardons are inaccessible to many
“I admit it,” Nicola said carefully on the phone. “I sold bags of dime just to pay my rent as a student here in Ontario.”
“And because of some trouble I’ve gotten into, chances are I will never be able to legally work in the cannabis industry.”
The anger she is referring to led to a criminal record, something she tried to get pardoned before applying for a job. She was warned that the process could take up to five years, if she hires a consultant the process could be sped up.
But it’s neither cheap nor guaranteed.
As a black woman raising four children alone in a pandemic, the stakes for the risk involved feel too high.
“We have to give something back to the people who paved the way, even though it was an illegal industry at the time. Without them, this industry would not exist. “
Trang Trinh, CEO of TREC Brands.
But she still hopes the Canadian government and industry will work to break down the barriers to those affected by prohibition and police practices that have unjustly affected black and indigenous communities.
Failure to include racist groups in legalization
Stock problems in the Canadian cannabis industry – race, gender, access to capital, to name a few – are not new.
As more states south of the border legalize and legislators debate the details of federal cannabis reform, justice, inclusion, and repairing the harms of the war on drugs are paramount for many lawmakers, advocates, and members of the emerging industry.
Something that many point out wasn’t that much of a priority in the creation of Canada’s cannabis law. But it’s not too late, say drug politicians and industry representatives.
“While there have been some limited initiatives to promote greater industry diversity, there is a notable lack of government regulation and adoption of programs that would structurally address the underrepresentation of racist groups that have been disproportionately targeted and punished under prohibitions,” it said in a 2020 report from the University of Toronto’s Center on Drug Policy Evaluation.
It called on all three levels of government to create social justice programs to provide entry points for those who qualify and to provide mentoring and financial assistance to businesses.
Government initiatives needed for a just industry
The Cannabis Council of Canada and its members of hundreds of licensed cannabis companies are also pushing for more government initiatives aimed at creating a fairer sector.
The organization, led by former Ontario Liberal MPP George Smitherman, looked at equity issues such as breaking records and investing in diversity programs.
Ahead of the recent general election, the council put together a cannabis voter checklist to educate MPs and candidates. Smitherman says part of the problem at this stage is that MPs are not sufficiently aware of the injustices in the sector.
“Right now in Ottawa, the cannabis relationship is fully delegated to Health Canada and we need more interested MPs,” he tells Leafly on the phone.
“It is really helpful to show them the range of issues that include unresolved concerns about social progress, as these issues really resonate with many MPs of different political backgrounds.”
But he admits that the efforts so far have not reached MPs and candidates.
Non-profit cannabis organization read on
The government has not yet responded to the Cannabis Amnesty advocacy group, which has long requested the deletion of criminal records.
Last September, as part of the planned three-year review of the law, the organization called for an impact assessment on racial equality under the Cannabis Act to be carried out.
The report examines its impact on BIPOC communities in areas such as the mental and physical health of consumers; police practices; Industry participation and its barriers.
“Answering these questions is critical to determining whether the Cannabis Act has reduced the disproportionate way in which cannabis laws have negatively impacted BIPOC communities or whether it is just continuing this unacceptable legacy of systemic racism,” reads in the report.
Although there has been no feedback yet, Cannabis Amnesty Research Director Akwasi Owusu-Bempah is still hoping for feedback in the coming weeks.
Companies that promote social justice are few and far between
There are some, but not many, companies that have built equity and social justice into their business plan.
One example is TREC Brands from Toronto. They donate 10% of the profits to organizations like SickKids, University Health Network and Cannabis Amnesty. TREC selects specific causes in their communities to donate and actively encourages their consumer base to make nominations as well.
“We listen to our employees about which organizations they want to support and also on our consumer basis,” Trang Trinh, CEO of TREC Brands, told Leafly. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to Trinh – something she has been deeply involved in at both Loblaws and Deloitte, where she previously worked.
“We have to give something back to the people who paved the way, even though it was an illegal industry at the time. Without them, this industry wouldn’t exist, ”she says.
Delayed admission shouldn’t be “good enough”
Anya Nicola found it extremely valuable to be able to learn from her community online.
To stay involved, she joined Afro Canada Bud Sistas, a community of more than 800 women dedicated to normalizing cannabis.
She says it makes her feel less alone, especially as a recovery person in need of support. “Who else supports us?” She says. “We are all we have. And unfortunately nobody looks at us and makes us a priority. “
Due to the lengthy pardon process, it will take her five years to realize her dream. So she’s holding back on a cannabis career for the time being.
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