MLK shared a vision about building a fabric of society, including everyone and working together.  Can this happen with the marijuana industry?

The swearing in a new president always gives hope.  The cannabis industry has seen 3 presidents, none who have helped move the industry truly forward. The public has had a change of heart and now almost 90% believe it should be legal in some form.  The major medical associations and federal agencies (aside from the Drug Enforcement Adminstration) believe it has medical value. And yet, our older, white politicians see it for something it is not. Thousands of mom and pop business are hoping for a change to help them on their ladder to the American dreams.  And tens of millions are turning to marijuana to not only solve medical problems, but to wean themselves off the more dangerous alcohol. Here is a look at Martin Luther King and cannabis.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely recognized for his pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, advocating for racial equality and justice. Although he did not publicly address cannabis use during his lifetime, his principles resonate deeply with contemporary discussions surrounding marijuana legalization and the broader implications of drug policy on social justice.

The prohibition of cannabis in the United States has roots in racial discrimination and social control. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively criminalized marijuana, was influenced by prejudiced attitudes towards minority communities, particularly targeting Mexican immigrants. This historical context is crucial when examining how the “War on Drugs” has disproportionately affected people of color, echoing the systemic injustices that King fought against.

Many scholars and activists argue if King were alive today, he would likely advocate for an end to the War on Drugs, recognizing it as a continuation of racial oppression. Michelle Alexander, in her influential work “The New Jim Crow,” highlights how the drug war has perpetuated cycles of racial injustice and mass incarceration. Statistics reveal that Black individuals are arrested for cannabis offenses at rates significantly higher than their white counterparts, despite similar usage rates. This disparity aligns with King’s vision of equality and justice for all.

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As discussions around cannabis legalization continue to evolve, figures like Martin Luther King III emphasize the importance of equity in the cannabis industry. He advocates for creating opportunities for marginalized communities to participate in this burgeoning market. This aligns with King’s broader vision of building a “beloved community” where economic and social justice prevail.

It seems the new administration will put a bigger focus on space – here are the perfect strains to celebration the exploration.

The new admisntration is poised to encourage expanded space travel. Apollo 11 was the spaceflight conducted in 1969, and now Blue Origin, Boeing SpaceX and more are working on  leaving the earth’s orbit normal. Civilians can now pay to be taking up and experience.

Not everyone can write the check, but here are our awesome 11 marijuana strains to celebrate space travel and take you out of this world.

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There is a big buzz about the dropping of fact checking and opening the door to increased online harassment on Meta they still stomp on marijuana

Dealing with fake or hateful information online can be annoying, but for some, it is much worse. Especially for kids who are still developing their coping skills. In fact, 26.5% of teens (aged 13 to 17) reported experiencing cyberbullying within the last 30 days. This marked an increase from 16.7% in 2016. Despite the increase, Meta announced a shift towards a “community notes” model where users can flag questionable content instead of relying solely on third-party fact-checkers.

However, this change does not extend to cannabis content, which remains heavily moderated and often blocked from search results. Cannabis-related content on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, remains stringent despite recent updates to its content moderation policies. The company continues to categorize cannabis content as a “high severity violation,” which places it alongside issues like terrorism and fraud.

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Meta ended its third-party fact-checking program, replacing it with a user-driven model akin to Community Notes. Critics argue this will lead to an increase in misinformation and hate speech, as there will be less oversight on potentially harmful content. Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that this change would likely result in more “bad stuff” circulating on its platforms.

And yet, the ongoing restrictions have made it difficult for cannabis advocates, news outlets, and businesses to share information or promote educational content about cannabis including medical marijuana. The American Medical Association, AARP, the Food and Drug Administration have all acknowledged the value of medical marijuana, but information on how it helps as been limited by Meta.

Many accounts related to cannabis advocacy have faced suspensions or limitations, further complicating efforts to engage with the public on legalization and reform issues.  Not only as medical marijuana benefiting millions, thousands of mom and pop business are being hurt by the policy.

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