Diversity & Inclusion in Cannabis Marketing


artwork by @mattblease

Black Lives Matter, Stop Asian Hate, Pride – these movements have ignited a fight for diversity and inclusion. Marginalized communities and their allies have applied pressure on higher education, government and politics, and businesses alike to ask one central question:

How can we create equitable spaces in society to honor all identities?

The melanated history of the cannabis plant and the key players involved in some of its earliest legalization fights create an obligation for everyone in the cannabis industry to ask this question of themselves and of every aspect of their cannabis business.

As a cannabis marketing agency, it means building diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into all processes. We craft culturally appropriate brands, stay true to our values on social media, and create inclusive content and marketing strategies.

Now, more than ever, it’s important for your brand to make a statement. Show customers your core values are rooted in DEI through action.

What is diversity, equity, and inclusion?

The terms diversity, equity, and inclusion are often used interchangeably. But you need to understand the differences to have better conversations around creating change:

Diversity

Diversity is all the ways in which people differ. It’s what makes us all unique with varying perspectives, experiences, and preferences. This looks like age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, etc.

Equity

Equity is fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for people while accounting for their diversity. This is an important distinction from “equality,” which is the quality or state of having the same rights and social status.

Inclusion

Inclusion is putting diversity into action by including or involving people from a range of backgrounds. In practice, this looks like:

  • Creating equitable opportunities
  • Providing resources
  • Developing policies for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized

What does diversity, equity, and inclusion look like in the cannabis industry?

A diverse cannabis industry serves and benefits many communities, business owners, and consumers.

An equitable cannabis industry represents marginalized communities in leadership roles. These are founders, owners, CEOs, board members, investors, and so on.

An inclusive cannabis industry is one that:

  • Provides marginalized communities with ownership opportunities
  • Builds businesses that give back to under served populations
  • Actively fights for individuals and communities harmed by the War on Drugs
  • Works to remove the stigmas and stereotypes around cannabis
  • Commits to creating businesses where all identities are honored

Although these are the ideal end results, we can all play a part in moving towards a diverse, equitable, and inclusive cannabis industry.

Education and activism are key components to this fight. With that comes a responsibility to understand the nuances around the discussion.

Intersectionality

Movements like Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate are rooted in racial identity. Pride and Women’s Rights are rooted in gender and sexuality. However, when you are out and about, living your real life, you’ll find that these identities intersect with one another: a Black Woman, a Gay Asian Man, etc.

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in a paper in 1989, is defined as:

“the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage”

So, what does this have to do with cannabis?

Cannabis users are from all walks of life. Yet, the plant itself faces a stigma of its own, one that translates to any who use it.

The industry is serving individuals who experience multiple layers of oppression and prejudice. Acknowledging this in your business model, hiring and selling practices, and marketing tactics allows you to create a safe space and deeper human connection with your employees and customers.


artwork by @reubendangoor

The need for inclusive marketing in cannabis

It’s easy for brands to post a black square on Instagram or participate in hashtag support for massive social movements. But it’s important to go beyond these publicity measures. Incorporate DEI into your brand’s core values in all respects.

An estimated 40,000 Americans are still incarcerated for cannabis-related charges, despite the fact the legal cannabis industry is booming. In fact, ​​despite similar usage rates, Black people are 3.73 times more likely than white people to be arrested for the same cannabis charges.

Take into account the lack of diversity in leadership roles in the industry and it becomes crystal clear. The cannabis industry has a duty to fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

And that means playing an active role in educating, spreading awareness, and taking action for this cause. Be intentional from the beginning stages of building your brand to the everyday processes of marketing campaigns and content creation.

Want to practice inclusive marketing?

Explore our Diversity & Inclusion blogs to read more about how you can practice inclusive marketing for your cannabis brand.