ya'll Eat WE Eat (yeWE): Ensuring Black Cannabis Access NOW
The Issue
Black Cannabis Access Now a Solution 2 Economic Disparities
yeWE: Is a campaign petition to bring awareness and a solution to economic disparities in urban communities through policy and solid Social Equity programs that support, promote, & encourage black cannabis ownership while ensuring the necessary resources are available and accessible to participants.
y'all- slang word for you all, groups w/ their foot on black and brown people's neck.
eat /ēt/
Have the ability to produce and create a living without barriers
WE /wē/
Black and brown people
Eat /ēt/
Having the ability to produce and create a living without barriers
Recently, the State of Michigan watered down the social equity program to include 184 cities "disproportionately impacted". In reality, only 11 cities are truly disproportionately impacted; Detroit, Highland Park, Benton Harbor, Muskegon Heights, Inkster, Flint, River Rouge, Eastpointe, Pontiac, Saginaw and Ecorse, experiencing the hell of marijuana prohibition and enforcement. This puts pressure on those local municipalities to implement a solid social equity program with limited resources to ensure their residence can participate.
PROBLEM
Social equity programs across the nation are failing because of the core requirements for entry, lack of funding, resources, education, and culture disconnection. Zero funding for disproportionately impacted communities to participate in the essential cannabis industry is ECONOMIC GENOCIDE in our opinion.
SOLUTIONS
Current social equity programs desperately need a realignment of the program’s original intent of promoting participation from disproportionate communities, with public policies that are conducive for starting and scaling a SUCCESSFUL business. The success of social equity programs depends on factors beyond attaining a license. They must include technical assistance, compliance education capital acquisition, business planning, and corporate formation assistance, as well as community reinvestment and public education. The creation of generational wealth from community programs that benefit impacted communities and create opportunities for those that may not have it are results of a program.
RESULTS: CURRENTLY, ONLY 2 CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS ARE IN BUSINESS IN MICHIGAN.
Clearly, Michigan's Social Equity Program is not equitable. Therefore, eligibility for Social Equity Programs MUST depend on an applicant being defined as a "true" disproportionately impacted individual, to ensure those individuals receive priority and resources first.
THE ASK
We're asking the Governor, Lt. Governor and State Representatives to support the 11 local municipalities pursuing Social Equity for their disproportionate impacted residence. These municipalities need funding, policy and tools to create and sustain a solid social equity program. Again, to move the cannabis industry this far without taking care of those harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement is UNJUST & widens the economic disparities.
FACTS: According to Michigan State University Economic Impact of the Adult-Use Marijuana Industry in Michigan, it is estimated that the level of retail sales once it becomes widely available is approximately $3 billion with a total economic impact in excess of $7.8 billion. Can a portion of this $7.8 billion change disproportionately impacted communities plight?
ya'll eat WE EAT!
Please do not continue to keep black economic progress at the back of the bus.
The Issue
Black Cannabis Access Now a Solution 2 Economic Disparities
yeWE: Is a campaign petition to bring awareness and a solution to economic disparities in urban communities through policy and solid Social Equity programs that support, promote, & encourage black cannabis ownership while ensuring the necessary resources are available and accessible to participants.
y'all- slang word for you all, groups w/ their foot on black and brown people's neck.
eat /ēt/
Have the ability to produce and create a living without barriers
WE /wē/
Black and brown people
Eat /ēt/
Having the ability to produce and create a living without barriers
Recently, the State of Michigan watered down the social equity program to include 184 cities "disproportionately impacted". In reality, only 11 cities are truly disproportionately impacted; Detroit, Highland Park, Benton Harbor, Muskegon Heights, Inkster, Flint, River Rouge, Eastpointe, Pontiac, Saginaw and Ecorse, experiencing the hell of marijuana prohibition and enforcement. This puts pressure on those local municipalities to implement a solid social equity program with limited resources to ensure their residence can participate.
PROBLEM
Social equity programs across the nation are failing because of the core requirements for entry, lack of funding, resources, education, and culture disconnection. Zero funding for disproportionately impacted communities to participate in the essential cannabis industry is ECONOMIC GENOCIDE in our opinion.
SOLUTIONS
Current social equity programs desperately need a realignment of the program’s original intent of promoting participation from disproportionate communities, with public policies that are conducive for starting and scaling a SUCCESSFUL business. The success of social equity programs depends on factors beyond attaining a license. They must include technical assistance, compliance education capital acquisition, business planning, and corporate formation assistance, as well as community reinvestment and public education. The creation of generational wealth from community programs that benefit impacted communities and create opportunities for those that may not have it are results of a program.
RESULTS: CURRENTLY, ONLY 2 CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS ARE IN BUSINESS IN MICHIGAN.
Clearly, Michigan's Social Equity Program is not equitable. Therefore, eligibility for Social Equity Programs MUST depend on an applicant being defined as a "true" disproportionately impacted individual, to ensure those individuals receive priority and resources first.
THE ASK
We're asking the Governor, Lt. Governor and State Representatives to support the 11 local municipalities pursuing Social Equity for their disproportionate impacted residence. These municipalities need funding, policy and tools to create and sustain a solid social equity program. Again, to move the cannabis industry this far without taking care of those harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement is UNJUST & widens the economic disparities.
FACTS: According to Michigan State University Economic Impact of the Adult-Use Marijuana Industry in Michigan, it is estimated that the level of retail sales once it becomes widely available is approximately $3 billion with a total economic impact in excess of $7.8 billion. Can a portion of this $7.8 billion change disproportionately impacted communities plight?
ya'll eat WE EAT!
Please do not continue to keep black economic progress at the back of the bus.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on May 22, 2020