Economic Equality in Support of the Cannabis Industry

WHEREAS, in 2010, the NAACP passed an emergency resolution called, "NAACP Supports a National Study on the Impact and Consequences or Marijuana Enforcement of African American Communities"; and 

WHEREAS, at its October 2013 meeting, the NAACP National Board or Directors passed an Action Item entitled "NAACP supports allowing states to decrease penalties for low-level drug possession" which supported a prohibition on the federal enforcement of marijuana laws in states which have lesser penalties; and 

WHEREAS, in 2016, the NAACP passed a resolution calling for "the uniform decriminalization of cannabis possession under one (1) ounce, as well as the pardon of persons previously convicted of nonviolent cannabis crimes. In 2019, the NAACP passed the "Decriminalization and Regulation of Medical-and Adult-Use of Cannabis; and 

WHEREAS, African-Americans have disproportionately suffered the brunt of the criminalization of cannabis but are disproportionately not receiving the economic benefits from the legalization; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP reaffirms its support for the decriminalization of cannabis; reaffirms its support for the pardon of persons previously convicted of non-violent cannabis crimes; and demands greater African American ownership and employment opportunity in the cannabis industry.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls upon state and local governments to assist in promoting and prioritizing economic investment opportunities in the cannabis industry specifically for African-Americans.