*Note: I know many people would rather read a blog than listen to or watch a video. That's why I provide this rough transcript of our conversation, which is not meant to be a perfectly edited blog post. Thanks for your understanding (and not blasting me in the comments.)
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Who Is Takisha Carter?
Should the USA Legalize Cannabis? Not yet according to Takisha!
Don't forget about those who were helping you gain access to cannabis before dispensaries
Canadians are still locked up for low-level cannabis crimes as well
How to Get More Involved at your Local Level
Locking People Up For Low-Level Cannabis Crimes is "Enslaving Enslavement"
What are the low-level cannabis crimes we're talking about?
Reminder - Prohibition was instituted because of greed, racism, and lies
What Does an Award-Winning Cannabis Advocate Do?
The African Roots of Marijuana
Takisha's Journey Into Cannabis
Cannabis Helped Takisha Improve Menier's Disease
What Is Black Women Who Blaze?
Why Being a Cannabis-Using Mom Is Different
What Organizations Can We Support in the Battle for Expungement?
What About Social Justice Initiatives
What Does A Social Equity Program That Works Look Like?
Andrea Meharg: Welcome back to another interview at www.Revealcannabis.com. My name is Andrea Meharg. I'm a Certified Cannabis Coach and Educator, and I'm here on YouTube because I'm really passionate about learning as much as I can about cannabis and then sharing that with you as well. And and part of what I'm doing right now is this series of interviews with experts where I get to ask them a whole bunch of questions that I'm really curious about.
And today's interview is with Takisha Carter, and she's gonna talk to us about why maybe we shouldn't be gunning for federal legalization of cannabis in the United States yet. Why there might be a much bigger issue that needs to be addressed first, which is liberating all the people who are in jail right now for low level cannabis crimes.
If this type of interview style video lights you up, make sure that you subscribe to the channel, cuz I do these fairly often. I also teach you how to cook with cannabis and some nerdy cannabis science stuff that I love. All right, we're gonna dive right in with Takisha's very impressive bio.
Who Is Takisha Carter?
Andrea Meharg: Takisha Carter is an award-winning cannabis advocate, a cannabis health coach from the Cannabis Coaching Institute, an aspiring Ganjier, an herbal crafter, and a wellness entrepreneur. She is a current graduate mentor at the Cannabis Coaching Institute. We're so lucky to have you with us. She is a High Chef with HiBnb. And a public speaker in cannabis education. Takisha is the founder of Afro Canna Holistic and the creator of Black Women Who Blaze, and she is the mom of three amazing kids. So thank you so much for being here with me on the channel and talking about this really important subject. Recently you hosted a Clubhouse room with some other people and the focus of this talk was free. The people before the plant and your description for this talk really interested me. You said, As the cannabis industry begins to take shape and multiple states are bringing in millions in tax revenue for the sale of cannabis, why are people still imprisoned for non-violent cannabis violations? Rise up for expungements before federal legalization. Hypocrisy is real. Let's talk about it. So Takisha, welcome. Let's talk about it.
Should the USA Legalize Cannabis? Not yet according to Takisha!
Takisha Carter: Well, thank you for having me, Andrea, and giving me, you know, an opportunity to come on your platform and speak about, you know, advocacy and, you know, cannabis and like you said, you know, freeing the people who were most harmed by the war drugs. Um, before we dive right into, you know, freeing the plant, uh, you know, federally. What we're seeing is as each state, um, you know, becomes recreational accessible, there are still people who are incarcerated. And, you know, I, I feel like there's, there's just a disconnect. You know, they call it cognitive dissonance, where you're kind of not, you know, you don't have this connection. You lack the connection to the harm that's been done and, and actually, uh, repairing it before you move forward. And so, I, I was just saying in that room, you know, let's take a minute and acknowledge where we're at. And acknowledge the people who actually have done, you know, really the work, the groundwork of, uh, getting this plant accessible to us when it wasn't legal. Because it is a plant, you know, And let's, let's help them, you know, let's advocate for their, you know, their freedom and their rights. As well. So that was like the, you know, the initial call to action. It was just to, to see who's interested in, in doing the work in your local area. You know, really decarceration is what needs to happen. Um, and today people are still being arrested for low level cannabis offenses and serving time in states that have made it medicinally, um, legal. And they have the tax revenue from these dispensaries and that the patients are going to, now. You know, I don't know if I know Connecticut, the patient doesn't pay taxes, but the dispensaries do, you know, in order to be in operation. And so some of that should be going to initiatives to help release those who have been incarcerated.
Andrea Meharg: And you are saying that this type of work should be done first. That people should be decarcerated before legalization hits in each individual state, and for sure before you legalize at the federal level.
Don't forget about those who were helping you gain access to cannabis before dispensaries
Takisha Carter: Yes, and you know, this type of, um, I think that it should be in the legislation as well, you know, when they're putting together policy, when you're advocating for policy reform and change and things like that, that, that should be at the top of the list. You know, of course we want people to advocate for themselves and access to the plant. Um, but we also wanna make sure that those that were helping you get access prior to dispensaries. Also get the opportunity to be, you know, out here with us and continue to, uh, you know, build the industry the way that, you know, we wanna see it built.
Andrea Meharg: Myself, I entered the cannabis industry like three months before it became legal. So I'm standing on the backs of people who gave up in some cases, literally everything because of their love and their advocacy for the plant or because of really archaic rules that are meant to keep us down, et cetera.
And so I do think that that cognitive dissonance thing is alive and well even within myself, I have been for years really focused on like, Hey, US start legalizing down there. Because I think when you do, it's gonna create like a tidal wave for the world, for the industry, for the world, for people's access to this plant all over the place. And I wasn't giving enough thought to, even in Canada, we are not exempt from this.
Canadians are still locked up for low-level cannabis crimes as well
Andrea Meharg: Like, we're not like happy little Canada who's doing everything right. The charity that I donate to for this cause is called Cannabis Amnesty in Canada and they're working on helping decarcerate people who are locked up right now for low level cannabis crimes. When I can go out and like, you know, share cannabis with my friends and go walk with a joint down my street in my small little town. They say that an estimated 500,000 Canadians have criminal records for cannabis related offenses, and they're not able to get rid of those even though the plant's legal now. So we're not doing so much better up here. You said one of the ways for the path forward is to do work at your local level. Can you talk more about that?
How to Get More Involved at your Local Level
Takisha Carter: Right. So, um, [00:07:00] I know here in Connecticut, you know, just this year they, um, they've legalized it last year, but just this year in July, they finally allowed you to start, uh, petitioning for expungements, um, for low-level cannabis, you know, offenses, Um, I think under a certain amount, you know, no more than four ounces. And then if you do have more, you can go the traditional route of getting expungements. You can try, um, which is filling out an application and in petition into the board of, you know, pardons. Um, in that, in that way. For anyone that's in Connecticut, you can, uh, go to www.211.org, you know, or dial 211 and you can find more information that way. But, you know, starting, um, initiatives or finding an initiative in your local state, um, or your city or what have you, as you know, consumers, it's like, well, what can we do?
You know, but those are the things that we can do. We can lend our voice. If you're a voter, you can start to, you know, speak up and speak out, um, to your city councils and things like that. But even, um, if you have skills, if you're, you know, an attorney, you know, or you work in a judicial system or the criminal justice system, and you have, you know, a way or insight or a plug, you know, that that you know can help in that way, or you have a service for someone who was incarcerated and needs that help, um, you know, you can volunteer for organizations and things like that. That is how you can help locally.
Locking People Up For Low Level Cannabis Crimes is "Enslaving Enslavement"
Takisha Carter: But I think it's important because, you know, like you said, people are still being arrested and majority of the people who are being incarcerated, you know, for, for offenses are people of color. And so that's just a way to continue the, uh, the act of, of really enslaving enslavement. And it's like, you know, we can't be complicit to, you know, the injustices of the judicial system here, which really is to keep, you know, privatized prisons filled. Every little thing becomes a crime for, us, you know, And so in this area, where now people are becoming wealthy, you know, to what is considered a crime for us, I think that we of course, have to speak up for ourselves, but we also need others who are spending their money, you know, advocating with your dollars to advocate also with your voice to widows dollars should be, you know, allocated.
Andrea Meharg: Yeah, there's two different ways you can attack this problem, and one of them is with money as a consumer, spending your dollars at places that share the same ethos as you. But as you were saying, and you've said this before, that often time, what organizations need is your services. Are you really great at organizing? Are you really great at handing out flyers? Are you a good public speaker? Like what can you offer to offer your energy and your voice to this movement? Because money is great, but it it. solve, you know, the boots on the ground problems necessarily.
What are the low-level cannabis crimes we're talking about?
Andrea Meharg: We talk about low level cannabis offenses, what exactly are we talking about? Like, what have people done that's so horrible that they're now in prison with a record for life?
Takisha Carter: Right. So depending on the state, cuz some states have decriminalized. Um, but depending on the states that have not, you know, you could have something, um, as, as small as two grams. You know Yeah. Of two grams of cannabis that can, um, you know, you can be arrested for and, you know, convicted and spend, you know, years in prison, um, depending on, I guess, prior arrest, or what have you. But I know here in Connecticut now it's been, even though it's recreationally legal, you can have, uh, one and a half ounces on your person. And then you can have five ounces personally in your private home. Um, but if you have more than 1.5 ounces on you, then that would be considered a misdemeanor. You know? These are the, I would say, low level where you could be considered, I guess, trafficking or what have you at that point. And you know, at this time now they have the gifting law where you can gift, but if you have some form of transaction now, you'll be fined. Um, but depending on, like you said, the weight and the amount, um, of cannabis, you know, you can still go to jail, you know, especially without a license.
Reminder - Prohibition was instituted because of greed, racism and lies
Andrea Meharg: And just to remind everybody that this is for a plant that humans have been using for thousands of years that we've known the medicinal benefits of for thousands of years, that was prohibited due to some racist, greedy white dudes who decided to shut it down. And that's like the impetus for all of these people who are incarcerated and have had their lives ruined. That they're in systemic traps that have been set up for them again, to prohibit a plant that we know, bar none is good for us if we use it appropriately. It's just so frustrating. I don't expect us to solve systemic racism and the war on drugs and all of that in this call, but I would, I'm glad that you talked about like what we can do in our own local area to to, to help with this fight.
What Does an Award Winning Cannabis Advocate Do?
Andrea Meharg: And then can you talk more about the cannabis advocacy that you're doing? Cuz you're an award winning cannabis advocate, and when you came into CCI, you were like, I am on a mission and you are still on a mission. So what does cannabis advocacy look like for you?
Takisha Carter: Um, so it looks like quite a few areas. I came in as a Certified Cannabis Advocate through normal.org and Green Flower. Um, I saw that opportunity and, you know, learned from them. And then you can, you know, you have the option of starting your chapter or joining a chapter. Um, but I saw advocacy kind of differently because of how I had to petition to the Board of Physicians to add, um, a qualifying condition of my own, um, on it. So that kind of started with my own self-advocacy. And then of course, formal advocacy and informal, which is advocating for, you know, your children, you know, your family members having access. And that's kind of what drove me to cannabis. Um, You know, as far as being in the industry and, and having access, because I had a family member that was diagnosed with cancer and didn't have access. We needed it, we needed access for him. Um, and I feel like it could have gave him, if not, helped him to, you know, balance the condition, it would've gave him a better, uh, quality of life until he transitioned. So, you know, that was really the, I guess, the catalyst for me to figure out and find a pathway. And that's where advocacy kind of came in first, and then of course advocating for myself. And so, you know, informal advocacy is joining an organization, and that's why I got involved with, um, you know, norml.org and what they stood for. They've been, um, advocating for so long that I feel like they had a blueprint that I, it was okay to kind of tap into and follow. But then you start with systemic change. You wanna see it's bigger, you know what I mean? I mean, I've been advocating for things outside of cannabis for, you know, many years, um, of my life. But, you know, this kind of gave me a chance to combine, you know, a few things. And as far as health and wellness, as far as access, you know, as far as, uh, reparations and restorative justice um, and, and speaking about racism, systemic racism, um, the world over, you know, cuz it's not just the US and like you said, Canada. I advocate for, for, uh, people of color to look into, you know, actual history, the history of their people and their culture and kind of relearn to unlearn what they've been conditioned to, you know? So it's a deconditioning as well. It's a, it's a mindset change. And, you know, advocacy looks like education. You know, first to help, you know, you remove the stigma and, and, you know, burn down stereotypes. So that's where Black Women Who Blaze concept came in. Um, and that's how, you know, I, I decided that I needed more visibility and, you know, I used YouTube as a platform for something else. Um, so I just created a new channel.
The African Roots of Marijuana
Andrea Meharg: Yeah, we're gonna link to all of Takisha's stuff down below, so make sure that you follow her in all of the places. I got a recommendation from one of our students about this book, which is called The African Roots of Marijuana, and it is fascinating to me as someone who learned [00:16:00] about the history of cannabis, you know, just like within the past five years kind of thing. And the history of cannabis is extremely white. Do you know? Like, yes, ancient China et cetera, but like basically like white people made cannabis like good for the world or whatever. It's insane to me how much has been left out of the general history when I compare what's going on in here with what I see in many of my other books. So, Constantly be learning about this is, that's my thing too, right? Education will bust all stigma about this plant because as soon as you know, there's no way to hold onto it anymore.
Takisha Carter: Yes. And could I speak to your point of, um, when you mentioned ancient China. And oftentimes, you know, I guess of course from a, you know, white or Eurocentric perspective, the assumption is that it's just, you know, people, um, of lighter tones there. You know, and that there aren't, you know, people of darker tones that were there first. You know what I mean? So even when you speak to those ancient places, it doesn't mean that peop melanated people were absent. you know, So those are the things that are not in the books, even in that book. You know, even though he mentions Africa, we circumvented the earth, you know, the whole, we weren't just in one area. And so we're finding that throughout history that we, um, we were in many places. And so even when you speak to ancient places in cannabis, you can, you can visualize, there were melanated people.
Andrea Meharg: Thank you for that. This is one of the things I love about working with Takisha is that she's extremely knowledgeable about this and super willing to some eyes here about some of the misconceptions and beliefs that I hold onto, um, that need to be challenged and changed. So I appreciate you helping me, helping us, helping all of us with this. this.
Takisha's Journey Into Cannabis
Andrea Meharg: You spoke earlier about how your journey into advocacy started with advocacy for a family member, but also advocacy for yourself.
Can you tell us about your journey to cannabis? And then you spoke earlier about you having a personal reason for getting into advocacy for the plant, about you advocating for a condition for yourself. Can you tell us about your journey with cannabis? How did you find it? What has it done for you?
Takisha Carter: Okay, so yeah, sure. My journey with cannabis, um, started early on in my teenage years, and of course it was, you know, I, I guess we now know recreational consumption. Um, but when I got older, and like I said, you know, I had the, um, catalyst behind my, my family member needing it and starting to learn about the health benefits of it, you know, specifically at the time for cancer and what it was doing for children and stuff like that. I had, um, I knew that I wanted to be involved in a, in a different way, you know, in, in a more effective way. And so, um, but my journey started really with me consuming it before I start advocating for anything. You know, I have to see, you know, if it's something, a product or a service or an initiative that really, it aligns with my values. And so as I learned more and experienced more about the plant and the health benefits and consuming it in different ways, then, you know, um, I started to really apply. To my health and, and, and use it consciously, consume it consciously. And, um, I was diagnosed with Menier's disease and that's a vestibular disorder that affects my balance, you know, my gait when I walk, um, my cognitive abilities. Um, and also my hearing, you know, progressive, uh, hearing loss. You know, I was taken outta work. I no longer worked, stay at home mom, you know, of three and you know, I'm also homeschooling. So, um, as I started to consume cannabis in other ways outside of inhalation, I noticed that my health was improving. So that is what, um, kind of propelled the health coaching because I was able to use it to help me heal from a, um, carcinogenic gut bacteria. And so, you know, when I saw CCI I knew, okay, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm willing to help others with this particular thing, but if I can help them with cannabis as well, that'll be perfect.
Andrea Meharg: You you said that you've been using cannabis intentionally and that you're using it in different ways, and you've also, if I'm not mistaken, changed your whole approach to food. you talk about all of that combined and what that's done for you?
Takisha Carter: Yes. So, you know, once I was diagnosed with that, uh, gut bacteria, I knew I wasn't going the, uh, conventional antibiotic way of, you know, the triple therapy. And, you know, I, [00:21:00] I research and people it was horrible and didn't of it. And then what the antibiotics contributed to as. I I knew that there had to be a better way, so I started to go the natural approach. And in that way, you know, food pairings became very important um, you know, for inflammation, for healing of the gut, the lining of the gut for detoxification, it's. and that. So, Um, you know, diving into, you know, cannabis as well and all the benefits that you get with the different cannabinoids and the terpenes and stuff like that. Um, using it as a vegetable, you know, consuming he seeds as fiber, you know, and as omega threes and kind of like its own antibiotic. Me being able to pair it with food strategically to help rid, uh, the bacteria. It you know, for me, I starved it out and I didn't give it anything for it to feed off of, you know, and the same time, i, I was detoxing. So that's what contributed to me being able to rid it. And, um, then also being able to rebuild my gut, you know, with that help of cannabis and other herbs, herbal formula.
Cannabis Helped Takisha Improve Menier's Diesease
Andrea Meharg: A lot of people don't realize how implicated cannabinoids can be in your gut health and in your gut microbiome. And as we're starting to learn more and more about all the different ways that cannabis might interact with so many different parts and in so many different ways, it's turning out, not turning out. We've known for a while that it's extremely implicated in gut health. With this anti-inflammatory diet of food pairings and cannabinoids, did that have any effect on the Menier's disease as well?
Takisha Carter: Yes, Yes it did. You know? So, um, for me, I've seen improvement. Um, you know, it's not as inflamed, you know, and I feel, and I found that the nerve and what it is, is the nerve that, um, that it, it's in your, in the ear. And the nerve that is in control of balance and hearing, it's one, it's the same nerve. And that nerve is damaged by a virus. So that's what it is. So if you don't find, if you don't get to the virus in time, then it causes damage. You know, it eventually goes away, but the damage is like permanent. And so you know, what they normally prescribe is like, Um, meclizine or something, and and that's like that, you know, uh, uh, motion sickness, you know, drug that they give, you know, because that's kind of, that's the only thing that they think to do. Or maybe like a, a water pill to kind of, you know, keep inflammation down. But because, um, I didn't want consume that. So the anti-inflammatory, um, nutrition along with cannabis and other herbal, um, formulations like teas and um, herbal teas teas and tinctures is what keeps the level of inflammation down. Low sodium, of course, um, and sugar of course, we, we try to keep that. But, you know, very few, few processed foods. Um, you know, if you can help it, if you have access, but this is why, you know, whole, all the things that really help your endocannabinoid system, um, as well bring that into balance. And just that, brought me in back into physical balance like this I still have flareups, you know, I still have those times. Um, but it's not as often, you know, I'm not bedridden anymore. Like, you know, I just couldn't do anything. And, you know, there was a time I couldn't walk down the, the grocery store aisle without holding onto the cart like for dear life. I started to revert to, you know, using the, the automatic automatic cart you Yeah. know, know and having a cane, you know, and I'm, I'm young, you know? Mm-hmm. , so it's like, why, what hap how did I get this, you know, issue that normally only happens to people and their seniors. It started in my gut, you know, and it, it really contributed to, um, I feel like the, the, the h pilori the min was triggering Menier's being able to rid that really helped.
Andrea Meharg: Yeah, it's not like cannabis is gonna solve us of all of our problems, unfortunately. It's way bigger than that, which is why you hire a Cannabis Health Coach like Takisha to help you walk through all the different steps that you can take to improve your general overall health. If it could just all take weed, you know, and be better. That'd be amazing. It's really inspiring to hear all of that. And then for you just to get out there in the world. And we have a saying at CCI like, we don't shut the fuck up. We just have to keep on speaking our truth about what our truth about cannabis is and sharing it with the the world because there's so many people who have no idea about all of these truths, and they're still living under this different idea that cannabis is terrible for you and there's no medicinal value and, and, and. So, um, I'm really glad to know you and to have you do this type of work and to share with us here on YouTube about it.
What Is Black Women Who Blaze?
Andrea Meharg: Can you talk more about Black Women Who Blaze, your YouTube channel, and what types of things people can find over there?
Takisha Carter: Okay. so yes, Black Women Who Blaze, um, was created to provide visibility of women in a cannabis space. Women in cannabis is, you know, a very small percentage, and black women is, you know, maybe a, a tiny blip of percentage of the women in the space. So, you know, I wanted to make sure that we had a platform that kind of speaks to not only the things that we consume cannabis for and why we consume it and our culture and how we consume it, but also the, the pathways that we're finding into the industry, you know. And if I can speak to or have any guests that can speak to how we can, you know, uh, acquire funding for our businesses. And, you know, black women are really, you know, one of the fastest growing, um, sectors of entrepreneurs in the US. know, I wanted to make sure that can, they understood that cannabis industry is a place where they can build the business, but how, what does that look like? And here are some examples of women that are doing it. And also why you can choose cannabis cuz it's healthy, it's a plant people are able to trans their health it.
Why Being a Cannabis-Using Mom Is Different
Andrea Meharg: So, we we haven't talked at all about you being a mom who uses cannabis so openly, and a black mom who uses cannabis so openly. Can you talk about that?
Takisha Carter: Yeah, I, I think that just the, you know, I'm, I was concerned that the punishments would be harsher, you know, for me. And the one thing about Connecticut, you know, they do have it in the legislation that, you know, you can no longer be, you know, uh, investigated. You know, DCF doesn't show up at your door, uh, or shouldn't be if you are tested you know, cannabis is found in your, you know, testing and your blo and your urine or what have you. Um, so, you know, I think that that was important because, you know that that affects and has affected so many families. We call it, uh, here medical kidnapping when you have a mom that may have had consume cannabis, you know, during her pregnancy for health and wellness reasons and. You know, the, the child is tested and then, and taken away, you know, and she has to go through all of that process. So, you know, there's so many areas that, you know, there's advocacy needed. You know, in cannabis for, you know, restorative justice, you know, we we're talking about the children that were taken out of homes and in care, and then the trauma, you know, that's ensued after that. And so then now you know, these children go up to be adults that are dealing with trauma and now may have to turn to cannabis to help them, you know, with anxiety, depression, ptsd, and, and all those things that come with trauma.
Andrea Meharg: And then they can still be arrested for using a plant medicine to help them deal with the trauma of the plant medicine prohibited in all the implications that come from it. Exactly. It is is its bonkers. Yeah.
What Organizations Can We Support in the Battle for Expungement?
Andrea Meharg: We will have resources down below for you about NORML about cannabis Amnesty Canada. I'll put, I'll put this book, I have another book recommendation down there, and of course all the links to Takisha stuff. Is there anything else that you wanna leave us with, um, before we sign off?
Takisha Carter: Yes. Um, there's also organizations like, um, cage free cannabis.com. You know, you do have national, uh, expungement. Um, they're looking for people to start, um, you know, chapters up or join their chapters. And of course you spoke about The Last Prisoners' project, um, as well. So, you know, these are some organizations, and there's plenty more, you know, um, that, you know, may not be specific to doing that work, but they, they do create initiatives Um, around expungements and and pardons, and then, you know, uh, we can speak about policy being created for restorative justice and where those tax dollars should be allocated.
What About Social Justice Initiatives
Andrea Meharg: Let's talk about that. I know there was a big hoopla in New York that when they put their legislation through, that they put through a social justice bill as well. And if I'm not oversimplifying it, it was very much like, Hey, people who have been incarcerated for low level cannabis crimes, if you can come up with half a million dollars and all the infrastructure to start your own dispensary or grow or whatever it is, we'll let you in. Is that, is that, was that a fair assessment?
Takisha Carter: Right. mean that's, that's what, you know, they, they're doing throughout states. Like they have something they call a social equity piece and you know, I just don't think that it's very effective when you're looking you're looking for people who, um, are, are really dealing with the trauma of, you know, incarcerated family members and all the, all the financial burdens that come with that. And then now you're asking them after you've, after they've been released, if they get released, you're saying, Hey, well, we'll give you this opportunity if you come with, you know, this A through z. You know, of things, this is where you'll get the opportunity and you know, no. So I don't really see that as equitable. I think that if you speak to the people who have been, um, you you know, criminalized, you know penalized have been dealing with the injustice first. You know, before you try to put together what you deem is equitable, you know, then maybe we, we may see some headway, you know, speak to what we need in our communities and how we can those who wanna be involved.
Cuz not all of us want to be involved in the cannabis industry, but those who have the know how on the skill and wanna be involved, you know, how we can do it in a way that helps our communities and you know, Um, makes cannabis more accessible to to everyone cuz that's, that's the issue as well from a perspective, a health equity perspective, but then also helps to remove the stigma stereotype, you know, we can be a part of that, um, process as well. So, yeah, you know, these doing it, but I haven't seen it done right yet.
What Does A Social Equity Program That Works Look Like?
Andrea Meharg: That's what I was just gonna ask you. Who's doing it well, so we can look at them? Nobody. Okay. I'm not asking you to solve this problem, but what are some things that would be in place in a social equity program that works? What do you see as possibilities there?
Takisha Carter: Right. Well, first education, you know, you know, real education about the plant, you know, and what, what it is that you, um, what it does and what it doesn't do. And then, you know, helping them as, as far as putting the proper. tools for business development and you know, before we can, you know, because we need to come with our business plan and things in place first, you know, and then helping us to allocate the funds, you know, in a way that keeps the business sustain, makes it sustainable, and how in and how we could scale it to now be a part of an industry that can bring regenerational wealth, you know, to our communities and, and, and economic stability. Like that's what we want. We want opportunity, you know? And in re in regards to social equity also, you know, when it comes to real estate, that's important, you know, in a cannabis industry. And oftentimes, you know, people of color do not own, you know, land. They don't own real estate, they don't own commercial real estate. And so that goes hand in hand for us to be able to have an equitable chance in, uh, cannabis.
Andrea Meharg: Yeah, you want the same opportunity as everybody else who's out there making millions of dollars off of a plant that they give two shits about right? That's, that's so prevalent in, you know, big corporate cannabis, is that it's filled with lots of people who have no love for this plant and no understanding of the possibilities or the limitations or the history. Giving people who made this possible that we're sitting here talking about this plan, giving them a real seat at the table would be a great start.
Takisha Carter: Right, Right. For those who are coming from the legacy market. Um, but you may, you don't find many, uh, melanated people a part of the legacy market in a way that we've had farms and we are, we've been growing and cultivating and things like that. So we don't get to transition, you know, in that way, you know, So it, it's, we're really starting from the bottom. And that needs to be acknowledged.
Andrea Meharg: Acknowledge and addressed if you're gonna say that you have a social equity program in your state. Yeah, yeah. Well, I didn't think this interview was gonna be fun, you know? But I am really glad that we came on and talked about it and this is a conversation that I think we can continue to have in so many different ways. So I appreciate you coming on and opening it up and giving us other things to think about and hopefully having people be able to take small steps towards action. Email normal, call your local chapter, do something, look into what are. The stats in your state or your province, whatever it is, and, and get out there and do some things as well.
So thanks so much, Takisha. I really appreciate it. Can't wait to have you back to ask you more about this. Um, and yeah, check her out down below. Go follow the awesome Miss Takisha. I will see you on the next video. Take care.
