I think we’ve all heard by now that New York has legalized adult use cannabis. The largest cannabis legacy market in the country is transferring its 3-4 billion dollars a year in revenue into the legal market. Ending the prohibition of a vital medical treatment and eliminating one of the methods of mass incarceration is always a great move, but I’m not one to usually celebrate when a state legalizes the plant.

As a cannabis advocate, medical professional and champion for the rights of the Black community, you would think that I would always be excited with forward movement – but most states don’t get at the heart of why cannabis legalization needs to occur, and they leave me feeling like,

“Damn… We won, but ultimately: we lost.”

It’s a feeling I often experience as a Black person in America.

Every election season, you can catch me at the ballot casting my vote. It’s not because I fully believe in the political system established in this country. It’s because my ancestors shed blood for my right to vote (and to keep 45 ‘nem out of office). My sense of gratitude towards those that paved the way pushes me to do my part in the continued pursuit of progress. You can also count on me to negotiate for what I deserve in business and career situations, instead of bowing down to corporate America. I’m just wired to fight for what’s right. I spend countless hours educating the Black community on opportunities in the cannabis industry and participating in advocacy, to ensure we have our rightful place in this industry. If I’m completely honest, though, I’m often frustrated at the outcome and wonder if my efforts are in vain. I’ll still wake up and engage wholeheartedly in the work though. I do it because I know we, as Black people, deserve our place in this space. We have made significant, historical contributions involving cannabis, only for the prohibition of cannabis to be used as a tool to oppress us.