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THE MISTAKE LEGAL STATES KEEP MAKING

I wrote a story for Slate about why states keep getting equity wrong

“New York and New Jersey’s new cannabis laws aim to create paths for entrepreneurs of color to join the industry. Within the cannabis world, this concept is known as “equity.” In theory, it promises an elegant symmetry: Massive demand for cannabis will pump money into the communities most damaged by drug-war tactics. In recent years, however, as marijuana legalization has made headway state by state, numerous jurisdictions have implemented similar plans with only token success. The people running and profiting from legal cannabis are overwhelmingly rich white guys, and without drastic changes, it’s likely to stay that way.”

Read the whole thing.