The Parabola Center is a nonpartisan think tank of legal professionals and drug policy experts coming together to protect people, not corporations. The organization’s mission is to provide everyone with the education, access, and expertise to support cannabis legalization policies that put people and small businesses first.
On July 13-14, at the Providence Public Library, I had the privilege of attending The Parabola Center’s Anti-Monopoly Cannabis Crash Course and Leadership Training. This event was far from your typical stoner gathering – there were real-life influencers in attendance- not just the marketing type that promotes product sales and product reviews, but the type of influencers that are changing the world we live in for the better. Attendees included cannabis business owners, advocates from California, Maryland, Illinois, and Massachusetts, nurses, regulators from Vermont to New York, university students and professors, even some elders from the Narragansett Tribe. Their shared goal? To prioritize people over profits as the cannabis industry continues to grow and become legalized.
This event provided a comprehensive overview for everyone from novices to seasoned professionals on the federal cannabis policy changes, industry myths, and more. Their insight was unparalleled, with a significant emphasis on the potential threats from corporate giants, who are looking to dominate the multi-billion-dollar industry through extensive lobbying efforts, which often undermine small community-focused businesses. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) addressed the attendees via a prerecorded video, emphasizing that legalization is about undoing a century of racist policies disproportionately targeting Black and Latino communities. Jonathan Van Ness of “Queer Eye” also highlighted the opportunity to rectify injustices through cannabis reform. The crash course featured presentations on tax implications, medical cannabis, the challenges of social equity programs, regulatory leadership, and the ongoing criminalization due to federal cannabis rescheduling. The event was rich with information, including case studies, testimonials, and science-backed research.
Mary Jane, Executive Director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, delivered a poignant presentation on the importance of including Indigenous elders in policy development. She even respectfully called out Senator Warren for not addressing the harms done to Indigenous communities, a common oversight in state social equity (SE) advocacy and program considerations. Jason Ortiz, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Last Prisoner Project, shared 2022 data showing nearly 40,000 state-level cannabis arrests and 3,000 at the federal level. He pointed out the omission of prisoner releases despite ongoing legalization efforts and legislative requests. Among the esteemed speakers were Dr. Peter Grinspoon, MD, a physician and cannabis specialist at Mass General Hospital and Harvard Medical School focusing on addiction therapy; Chris Michalakis, Senior Federal Policy Representative at the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW); Maritza Perez Medina, Esq., and Cat Packer, Esq., of the Drug Policy Alliance; and Pat Garafolo, the Director of State and Local Policy at the American Economic Liberties Project and Fight Corporate Monopolies, and author of “The Billionaire Boondoggle: How Politicians Let Corporations and Bigwigs Steal Our Money and Jobs.” Drudys Ledbetter, BSN, RN, delivered an eyeopening presentation on the lengthy and expensive licensing process required in Massachusetts as an operator in the city of Boston, while also highlighting some wins in the state for SE applicants and small business owners. Her experience underscored the urgent need for reform in this area, and she emphasized for us to “use your voice, use your vote.”
After the crash course concluded, two social events followed. The first was a rooftop party at the Providence G, allowing participants to connect further over tasty bites while celebrating community leadership. The second was a joint fundraiser at the Trinity Brewhouse benefiting the Parabola Center, PVD Flowers, and the Cannabis Policy Coalition in Rhode Island, where Senator Joshua Miller was honored for his advocacy in cannabis policy, justice, and equity initiatives. Ahead of the honor, speeches we heard from Representative Leonela Felix Esq, Dasheeda Dawson of The WeedHead & Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition, and Juan Wilson Jr. of the MUSE Foundation. On day two, the Leadership Training featured an interactive session by Chelsea Higgs Wise of Marijuana Justice on building effective coalitions. It was jam packed with aspects of organizing, getting very clear on messaging, and recruiting other leaders to participate in advocacy efforts. Jane Appleyard Allen, whose work focuses on research to assess cannabis beliefs and behaviors in the context of legalization, received an award celebrating her tireless contributions to the Parabola Center’s recent research. During her presentation, Allen shared insights on the tobacco industry’s ability to pivot into cannabis when the federal policies align for them. She shared data from media campaign outcomes and even shared vintage product development memos from big tobacco companies that included a note about packaging spliffs that dated back before the ‘90s. Allen’s recent survey research collaboration with the Parabola Center about American beliefs and values on legalization revealed that public education could be a tool to decolonize cannabis policy.
Overall, the event provided immense value and fostered a sense of national camaraderie among cannabis justice advocates. It highlighted the need for continued education and reform to ensure that the cannabis industry benefits communities negatively impacted by failed drug policies, rather than prioritizing corporate interests.
The question remains: will elected officials and cannabis regulators prioritize their constituent: current local licensees and communities where licensees operate, or will they continue to adhere to the status quo- with claims that “no state has gotten right yet,” as an excuse? It is crucial to continue educating our elected leaders and appointed regulators on how the cannabis industry can serve as a vehicle for positive change through small business support, industry worker protections, and community reinvestment. •
Photo: L-R, Rob Pena, Eric Larson, David-Allen (Bear) Sumner. Sarah Hinzman Photography.
