Background & Consequences:

In 2014, District residents voted to pass Initiative 71, the law now granting all citizens over the age of 21 permission to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for medical and recreational use. The law also allows District residents to use and grow cannabis on private property, and to exchange cannabis (as long as no money, goods or services are exchanged). While the law has created opportunity in its use for various purposes, a majority of people of color, particularly African American residents, have undoubtedly suffered the backlash of its social effects more than their white counterparts: as of last year, 86% of people arrested for marijuana in DC were black.

What Our Monthly Meeting Focuses On:

• Highlighting underlying effects of the District’s recent cannabis/ marijuana legislation.
• Challenges the legislation presents for communities of color, and their ability to participate in the District workforce across industries, especially those that conduct random drug testing such as health & medical (hospital/ clinic), construction, hospitality & food service, and transportation.
• Discussion about how race contributes to the disadvantages communities of color face related to marijuana use and job security, and we will discuss what local solutions exist to combat the disparity.

Check out all our speakers and be sure to register below!!