Tauhid Chappell’s Post

💲 2.55 billion in tax revenue from cannabis sales since legalization in 2012 - Colorado 🤯 Thats on more than $15 billion worth of legal cannabis product sales since the state’s first adult-use retailers opened in 2014 🙌💰 Colorado Department of Revenue generated more tax revenue from marijuana than alcohol or cigarettes during the last fiscal year: 💸 $280 million in cannabis tax dollars going toward a variety of government programs and services like K–12 education and health care. Imagine if Ohio gives the green light to a robust program for recreational cannabis sales 🤔 💭 A chance to unlock the potential for billions in new tax revenue to fuel a wide range of essential programs and services in Ohio: 🤱 $64.3 million is currently going to improve the health of Ohio mothers and babies in 2023- maybe we stop prosecuting non-violent drug offenders and we tax a female plant and improve the health of Ohio mothers? win-win situation ♀ 🌿Ohio Nurses Association Nationwide Children's Hospital 🚔🔒$20.5 million has been allocated to support mental health treatment in the correctional system over the next two years. Do we really need to put people in jail for cannabis offenses in 2024 Ohio? Maybe it's time to rethink our approach and explore alternatives that can benefit both individuals and society as a whole and add some funds for those incarcerated who really need it. Last Prisoner Project 🚂 $25 million in 2022-23 for Lead Poisoning Reduction which comes from lead paint in older homes and from water lines that contain lead - we could use some extra clean water in Ohio ( 👀 Norfolk Southern) Ohio stands at a crossroads this November and the potential for change is vast #Issue2 By embracing a new approach to cannabis, Ohio can tap into significant tax revenue to drive essential programs and services, promoting well-being for Ohioans, more universal justice, and a brighter future in the Buckeye State. 🌟🌱💙 Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Ohio Department of Job and Family Services JobsOhio OhioMeansJobs.com Ohio Board of Nursing Senator Sherrod Brown Ohio MCIA Tim Johnson Ohio Cannabis Health & Business Summit

As Pennsylvania debates #adultuse cannabis legalization, House Bill 1080 and Senate Bill 846 present two different paths forward. 📈 HB 1080 proposes selling through state stores with a 19% excise tax. 📉 SB 846 favors existing medical dispensaries with a lower 13% total tax. In this article, Simon Menkes and I compare the license fees, taxation, and social equity aspects of both proposed bills- Part 1 of our series exploring the possible legalization. This is an important moment for stakeholders to shape the impact of these policies. Which framework would serve #Pennsylvania best? High tax & control or lower tax with medical infrastructure? Part 2 will cover the controversies and stakeholder perspectives. Read below, stay tuned and join the conversation! #420cpa #cannabis #adultusecannabis #cannabistax

Yes, pardoning 175,000 low level offenses is a great step in the right direction, but you cannot use that as cover for the highly inequitable and monopolistic industry Maryland has set up. There have already been over 30 conditional licenses for social equity that are being forfeited and another lottery will take place next week. That is what happens when your system fails those it pretended to try and help. 6 months to show adequate capitalization while maintaining 65% ownership. This is by design. Limited licensing schemes and lotteries are fundamentally inequitable and will never achieve true equity. These are diametrically opposed ideas, a limited and restricted yet somehow equitable market. These schemes are an affront to the rights to economic liberty given to all Americans. When the governor says "everyone was at the table" that is a bold face lie...and he knows it. You know who definitely didn't have a seat at the table? The hemp industry. I'm very happy for those who will get this pardon as it may assist many people who have a stain on their records that prevent access to housing, loans, and job opportunities etc... however cannabis has been decriminalized in Maryland for 10 years now. Since then there have been no criminal charges for possession of small amounts of cannabis. However our jails are filled with people arrested and convicted of distribution of cannabis. Where is their pardon? When will they be released? When will we amend the criminal code from felony charges to civil offenses? The only way we will ever see true social equity and restorative justice is to topple the cannabis pyramid and end the monopoly. When there is no longer a monopoly to protect, they may just change the criminal code related to cannabis distribution... they may just open up the market to legacy operators, they may just change the stigma and create real change. But so long as corporate interests control this industry with the help of lawmakers we will never reach the goal of cannabis freedom. https://lnkd.in/e8UfQPqm

Are Biden’s cannabis moves for the industry or for the people? That's the subject of the latest Cultivated Media Daily that hit your inboxes this morning. Biden touted his efforts toward cannabis reform at a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Wednesday. While he couched his efforts in criminal justice language — perhaps as an olive branch to young progressive voters he's trying to court in November — the results of his reforms have much more to do with freeing up research and broader industry normalization than they do social justice. To the Biden Administration's credit, they've pursued the biggest change to federal drug policy in over half a century by pushing to move cannabis to Schedule III. But Schedule III is still far from federal decriminalization, which Vice President Kamala Harris promised in a 2020 debate to no avail. And Schedule III will do far more to help the industry than it will for social equity goals, though the two are often interlinked. Biden's only criminal justice focused moves so far are limited federal pardons. If he's selling cannabis reforms to voters as social justice, then his policy choices aren't aligned with that message. But if he instead chose to sell cannabis reform as a way to create jobs and opportunity in an industry that's struggled under nonsensical regulations, then that message would make a lot more sense. What do you think? Subscribe now so you don't miss the next one. https://lnkd.in/eStrbFZi

**Advocating for a Cannabis Equity Program in Texas inspired by New York's Model** 🌿 In 2021, New York State legalized adult-use cannabis under the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA). This pivotal move went beyond just legalizing cannabis: - **Equity Focus**: MRTA emphasizes social and economic justice. It offers incentives for those most impacted by cannabis prohibition, expunges past convictions, and allocates 40% of cannabis tax revenue for community rebuilding efforts. - **Industry Participation**: A robust equity program is in place. It sets the goal to award 50% of licenses to social and economic equity applicants. This includes individuals from communities hit hardest by the War on Drugs, minority and women-owned businesses, distressed farmers, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. - **Benefits of MRTA’s Structure**: MRTA's framework is designed to reduce barriers for equity applicants. It prioritizes licenses for businesses like microbusinesses, cooperatives, and delivery services. Importantly, licenses under the equity plan remain with equity applicants for at least three years. - **Community Reinvestment**: MRTA proactively addresses past wrongs. Cannabis convictions for acts now legal are automatically expunged. Cannabis-related revenue goes towards job training, mental health, housing, legal aid, education, and more, administered by a diverse Advisory Board. Given the transformative potential of such a program, we believe Texas would benefit greatly from a similar initiative. Let's champion equity and community rebuilding in our state! 🌱🤠 Stay up-to-date on Texas cannabis law here: https://lnkd.in/gT92A7jp #CannabisEquity #TexasReform #CannabisLending #CannabisLegalization #HopeDealer

In Cranston, #RhodeIsland, a significant gathering of industry advocates, leaders, and lawmakers celebrated the anniversary of the state's first legal marijuana sale. This event also doubled as a platform to discuss crucial changes for the burgeoning cannabis industry's second year. Key focus areas included the need for equitable participation from all Rhode Islanders and refining the definition of a "social equity applicant" in the cannabis sector. Of the 24 retail licenses set by Rhode Island's cannabis law, only six are reserved for social equity applicants, defined by certain workforce or community residence criteria. Local stakeholders are advocating for changes to these definitions to ensure genuine social equity, rather than allowing loopholes for out-of-state capitalists to exploit the system. Despite $62.9 million in recreational cannabis sales (expected to reach $76 million by June 2024) the state's social equity fund remains underfunded. Advocates are urging legislative action to provide more substantial financial support and create new licensing opportunities for communities of color and formerly incarcerated individuals.

The Virginia state legislators have passed an adult-use cannabis bill and sent it to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk. It is not clear what he will do but there is a good chance he will choose not do anything. In #virginia if the governor dose not take action on bill within 30 days of the bill getting to his desk it will automatically becomes a law. This could allow the governor to legalize adult-use without publicly supporting it. If SB 448 becomes a law, Virginia will be the fisrt southern state to legalize cannabis for adult use. Sales will start around May 1st 2025. The total tax rate will be 11.625%. Thank you Adam Jackson from Green Market Report for the state update. #cannabisindustry #cannabiscommunity #cannabisnews #cannabiseducation #cannabispolicy #cannbislaw https://lnkd.in/divZznr3

Ohio Friends and Family, I’m concerned about attempts to turn cannabis policy reform at home into a #puffpuffpolice agenda. Ohio voters passed a Iaw that reduced penalties and created new legal protections for adult use consumers. It also requires 36 percent of cannabis taxes to be dedicated to a Cannabis social equity and jobs program. This program is intended to fund programming that would support individuals and communities most impacted by cannabis criminalization participate in Ohio’s legal cannabis market, through things like business, financial and technical assistance. Beyond funding opportunities for new participants in Ohio’s legal cannabis market, the cannabis social equity and jobs program that Ohio voters approved also requires Ohio to establish a cannabis social equity advisory board and to study and fund criminal justice reform, study and address the social and economic impacts of cannabis enforcement and invest in disproportionately impacted communities. GOP Ohio lawmakers have introduced and advanced legislation that would eliminate the cannabis social equity and jobs fund and related programming, create new criminal penalties for cannabis activity, and take away legal rights and protections from adult use consumers. Their main goal is to use cannabis taxes to provide additional resources to law enforcement. This isn’t what Ohioans asked for — but they’re hoping no one notices or cares. Because I was in Ohio when the legislature tried to quickly overturn the will of Ohio voters, I was able to show up and advocate alongside other local stakeholders (like Tim Johnson, Nickole Ross, Jeane' Holley, Ally Reaves and many others) to raise concerns about lawmakers’ attempt to move forward with a #puffpuffpolice agenda — but I have no doubt this will be an ongoing fight in the new year. Get ready, Ohio!

Vaughan Stand Up! I'm pleased to announce on October 31st, 2023; another RE.UP Lobbying initiative led by Cyrus Hambaz and myself in hopes of challenging and discussing the current city standing on legal cannabis storefronts in the City of Vaughan. On January 25th, 2023 Cyrus and I spoke in front of the City of Mississauga Council and were met with great dialogue and thus interest to reopen the case of federally authorized storefronts in Sauga. Since our deputation, many others within the legal cannabis community joined us and spoke in front of the council, and come the eve of our beloved cannabis day 4/20; April 19th, 2023 Mississauga made an outstanding vote of 8-4 to finally opt-in to legal cannabis with the city. Such a pivotal moment not only for Ontario’s cannabis community but for other municipalities in the province who rightfully wanted to wait and see the development and progression of legal cannabis storefronts since the day of legalization. However, now it's evident that cities like Vaughan and many others are still being serviced by illicit/non-tax paying cannabis storefronts and delivery services catering and profiting of local residents. When the same services are provided under federally authorized storefronts and are governed and regulated by Health Canada | Santé Canada and The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. It's unfortunate to see cities that leave residents who rightfully and legally (19+ of course) are allowed to consume cannabis, to resort to either having to get products outside their city parameters, or the significant elderly crowd who looks for legal cannabis wellness products that authorized storefronts can provide said products and the educated staff members to discuss and aid such a tailored shopping experience. Truthfully, any city that is choosing to opt-out of legal cannabis is seemingly choosing to opt-irresponsibly in regard to the proper and safe consumption of legalized cannabis.  No matter the outcome we look forward to seeing the cannabis community support at Vaughan City Hall Level 2; on October 31st, 2023 at 1pm!

According to the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), only 15 of the 36 state-legal cannabis markets the organization examined had some form of social equity program. It appears that less than half of the legal cannabis states have put social equity on the bill when creating legal programs. Social equity programs address the historical and ongoing disparities caused by prohibition, particularly among communities that have been disproportionately affected by drug policy. These communities face higher rates of arrests, convictions, and harsher penalties compared to other groups. Social equity is a principle to rectify these past injustices and promote inclusivity in the legal cannabis industry. While they vary by jurisdiction, social equity programs aim to accomplish criminal justice reform by expunging or sealing cannabis-related criminal records, providing economic opportunities to affected communities, reinvesting cannabis tax revenue into communities, and ensuring the participation of minority-owned businesses, women, veterans, and individuals who have been negatively impacted by cannabis prohibition. While social equity programs are a good idea in principle, rarely do they actually help achieve equity within the cannabis industry. As stated in MJBizDaily’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Cannabis Industry report, the number of businesses owned by people of color is shrinking year over year. Tohiyusdv Cavalry seeks to change these numbers by filling the gaps that social equity programs aren’t providing. We provide consulting and wrap-around services to help BIPOC farmers and entrepreneurs find success within the industry. Reach out to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gC7tERp5 #socialequity #socialequityincannabis #cannabissocialequity #DEI #tohiyusdycalvary #PremiumCBD #craftcannabisfarming #craftcannabis #craftfarming #minorityowned #blackfarmers #virginiahemp #hempfarmer #minorityfarmer #HighQualityCBD #blackownedbusiness #hempcultivation #crafthempfarming