A Democratic candidate for President just told me ...

[Laelth]

... that if I am black, Latino, or Native American, he's going to launch a program to give me federal money to start up my own marijuana-selling business.

Did I hear that right?



Seriously. I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea. I just can't believe that I just heard it.

Again, I adore my Democratic candidates.



-Laelth

[msongs]

1. well all the street drug dealers are gonna be glad to hear this, with their hands out nt

[Laelth]

6. I'd be tempted to sign up myself.

Regrettably, I am neither black, Latino, nor Native American.

I wonder whether such a law, if it could pass, would violate my 14th Amendment equal protection rights.



-Laelth

[Democrats Ascendant]

2. I was like...

HUNH???

He's just so used to promising and offering stuff, I guess...

[Perseus]

3. Sorry, but that sounds like an insult to me, he/she singled out races...how about whites having the

same benefit?

It sounds like he/she thinks that only people from those races will engage in that kind of business.

[CentralMass]

4. It actually quite the opposite. I've linked some articles below.

The legal marijuana business is a burgeoning multi billion dollar business
that black entrepreneurs are being shut out of.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2018/01/10/study-legal-marijuana-could-generate-more-than-132-billion-in-federal-tax-revenue-and-1-million-jobs/
"Study: Legal marijuana could generate more than $132 billion in federal tax revenue and 1 million jobs"

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-entrepreneurs-struggle-join-legal-weed-industry-n1132351
"Black entrepreneurs struggle to join legal weed industry
Many African Americans are concerned that a lack of access to capital and systematic economic racism will exclude them from the burgeoning marijuana business."

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/yw4pkw/weed-industry-equity-black-business

"Black People Face Big Barriers Entering the Legal Weed Industry
The marijuana business is booming in the US, but the high costs of setting up legal weed operations are shutting out many black and brown entrepreneurs."

[Laelth]

5. Excellent post.

Thank you.



-Laelth

[Politicub]

7. Because white people have been given almost every structural advantage

since before this country was founded. There is money to be made in the marijuana market and the trend so far is to favor large growers.

To fight racism — to be an anti-racist — we must support real policies that address a history of injustice. That’s what racial justice is about. It’s not just mealy-mouthed platitudes about equality. It’s policy. It’s taking action.

And, yes. Taking action to ensure historically disadvantaged communities get more support to start businesses.