The Link Between Pride Month and The Cannabis Industry

Pride and Cannabis: Interconnection and Needed Support

An often-overlooked aspect of the larger cannabis legalization movement has been its link with that of the LGBTQ+ movement. We’re well into Pride Month and with recent maddening setbacks experienced by both the LGBTQ+ community and the cannabis community, now seems like the right opportunity to spotlight this interconnected history, set the scene for what is happening currently, and identify ways to lend support.

 

Historic Strides For Both Cannabis and The LGBTQ+ Community

Yes there have been numerous setbacks, frustrations, and outright hate being spewed towards both those in the LGBTQ+ community and towards cannabis advocates. However, we should take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous strides that have been made in a relatively short period of time.

 

Culture Shifts and Recent Legislation

Back in 2012, both cannabis and same-sex marriage were largely illegal nationwide. 2012 marked a cultural shift for both cannabis consumers and the LGBTQ+ community as Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage—the first incumbent president to do so—and Colorado and Washington votes for the first in the nation cannabis legalization ballot initiatives.  At the time, less than half of Americans supported either same-sex marriage or cannabis legalization. Today, despite the legislative, judicial, and executive setbacks by the current administration, over 70% of Americans support same-sex marriage and 88% of Americans favor at least medical cannabis legalization. But this history doesn’t just start in the 2010s.

 

A Strong Foundation for Progress

Going as far back as the 1970s, Harvey Milk, the San Francisco advocate who was the first openly gay man to hold public office, voiced his support for cannabis legalization. A consumer himself, Milk led a voter-supported effort which saw San Francisco become one of the first cities in the country to end cannabis arrests in the city.

At the height of the HIV/ AIDs crisis through the 1980s and 90s, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, clubs, bars, and nonprofits offered cannabis to AIDs patients as a means of palliative care. A key individuals involved in these efforts was Dennis Peron, who not only organized activist smoke-ins nationwide but also ran for multiple public office positions (including president!) and was a crucial figure in promoting the medical benefits of cannabis after his partner contracted and subsequently died of AIDS.

 

Queer Spaces and Cannabis Today

The LGBTQ+ community has long been one of the greatest supporters for cannabis legalization and consumption. Gay men smoke cannabis four times more than their heterosexual counterparts. It cannot be understated the impact that social equity programs and initiatives have had with bringing the LGBTQ+ community into the medical and legal cannabis marketplace, but more still can be done.

Presently, the LGBTQ+ community is vastly underrepresented in ownerships and executive leadership roles in cannabis businesses. This is even more glaring a discrepancy in leadership when looking at Black, Latino, and Asian LGBTQ+ individuals. As active and eager consumers, there are still ways to better integrate pride and advocacy into cannabis operations.

 

Looking Towards A Brighter Future

Increasing Support & Interaction Between Cannabis and The LGBTQ+ Community

Most states do not have LGBTQ+ individuals as being part of their social equity programs. Social equity programs themselves have become a greater target for scrutiny and in some areas have even been deemed an outright failure. But if states and state agencies will not or cannot step up, individuals, businesses, and advocates can.

You can support proudly run and operated LGBTQ+ cannabis business owners and operators. A special shoutout to Cirrus in Colorado, Sonder in California, Ziggy’s Naturals in Texas, and Sway in Illinois. These are just a couple of examples but supporting businesses like these, especially during Pride Month, goes a long way. And while we can criticize “rainbow capitalism” (or bemoan its sudden downfall), it never hurts spotlighting the importance of the LGBTQ+ community if you’re an individual, a business, or a proponent of cannabis.

The LGBTQ+ community and cannabis have been linked for decades and in all likelihood will continue to be for decades more. So, take a hit, pop an edible, or raise a glass with Pride. A lot of strides have been made, but the work doesn’t stop!

 

Become an Advocate and Join The Cannabis Industry

Looking to start your own cannabis business or find out how you can support the progress of the industry even further? Reach out to our own team of seasoned cannabis advocates and let’s get started today!