A drug policy think tank that is working to promote education about how lawmakers and advocates can effectively prevent the monopolization of the marijuana industry released a new toolkit to help guide reform efforts on Monday.<\/p>\n
The Parabola Center for Law and Policy, a nonprofit focused on advancing equity-centered reform, is rolling out the \u201cAnti-Monopoly Toolkit,\u201d which provides an overview of state and federal policy priorities to prevent corporatization and consolidation that could threaten small cannabis businesses in the industry.<\/p>\n
It also features practical advocacy advice on the issue, with tips on how to best communicate concerns with policymakers and raise attention to the potential ramifications of letting large marijuana companies dominate the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a document not only for policymakers, but also for anyone who wants to learn more about how to advocate for fair cannabis markets that prioritize people over profits,\u201d the introduction says. \u201cIt offers a menu of potential policy options, and each section provides model language for how associated provisions might be written.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nToday, we’re launching our Anti-Monopoly Toolkit! Read the full report & take action at https:\/\/t.co\/e5v4iWkxVx<\/a> <\/p>\n
Concerned that big businesses are taking over the cannabis industry? This toolkit is for you. It\u2019s easier to tackle this issue when we work together. https:\/\/t.co\/4m5swEVxR0<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Parabola Center (@ParabolaCenter) April 10, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Here are some other highlights from the toolkit<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
The center says it\u2019s important to set caps on the number of marijuana business licenses, shops and canopy space that any one person or entity can obtain. Policies should focus on individual ownership limits, rather than capping licensing overall.<\/p>\n
It also warns about the risk of letting major technology platforms dominate the market, as their services could inhibit market competition by promoting select brands within their networks.<\/p>\n
The toolkit says that marijuana reform should generally avoid allowing vertical integration\u2014in which a single business can operate at multiple steps of the supply chain\u2014with the exception of microbusiness licensees.<\/p>\n
Parabola is strongly against keeping people with prior drug convictions on their records from participating in the legal market. But it does recommend barring corporations with established patterns of \u201charmful conduct.\u201d<\/p>\n
People should organize\u00a0and send sign-on letters to policymakers to show solidarity around anti-monopoly priorities, it says.<\/p>\n
It also advises that people should consistently push for the right of people to grow their own cannabis in any legalization legislation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was inspired by Lizzie Magie, the progressive feminist who invented the game of Monopoly as an educational tool, because she thought philosophy and academic writing weren\u2019t enough in the early 1900s,\u201d Parabola Center Founder and Director Shaleen Title told Marijuana Moment. \u201cJust like in her era, we\u2019re in a critical time period that calls for large-scale and drastic action.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nLearn more and read the full report at https:\/\/t.co\/e5v4iWkxVx<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/EEzNIuwTPK<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Parabola Center (@ParabolaCenter) April 10, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
The new toolkit acknowledges that \u201cnot every policy is the right fit for every community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis document is not an endorsement of every example provision for every situation, nor can it provide specific legal advice,\u201d it says. \u201cOur goal is to raise awareness of important policy considerations that are too often overlooked in conversations around legalization.\u201d<\/p>\n
The resource is one of the latest complements to Parabola Center\u2019s other policy efforts, including direct engagement with congressional lawmakers.<\/p>\n
For example, the organization proposed changes<\/a> to a House-passed federal marijuana legalization bill in 2021 that sought to ensure that the market is equitable and empowers communities that have been most impacted by prohibition to benefit from the new industry.<\/p>\n
Late last year, the center also sounded the alarm<\/a> about the influence of the tobacco and alcohol industries in shaping federal cannabis reform and encouraging lawmakers to rethink the idea of modeling legal marijuana regulations after those that are in place for booze.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got here because people worked their whole lives on this issue\u2014many who didn\u2019t live to see state legalization,\u201d Title said. \u201cNow that we\u2019re 95 percent of the way to the finish line, we\u2019re just going to hand the keys to Jeff Bezos and Philip Morris to destroy our whole market and culture for their own profits? It\u2019s outrageous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that most people agree with us, but they\u2019re not sure what steps to take to get us back on track toward justice and freedom,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\nCongressional Progressive Caucus Urges Biden To Expedite Marijuana Scheduling Review And Push For Federal Guidance<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.<\/em><\/p>\n
The post Marijuana Equity Advocates Release \u2018Anti-Monopoly Toolkit\u2019 To Shape Legalization Laws<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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