Creating Opportunities for Social Equity in NY Cannabis Cultivation

Although the agricultural economy has grown, the share of Black farmers in the United States has declined over the last century. Today, just 1.4 percent of farmers identify as Black or mixed race compared with about 14 percent 100 years ago. Federal programs and policies that excluded Blacks from land purchases were passed prior to passage of the 14th Amendment, the absence of legal protections such as wills that could have facilitated transfer of property to the next generation, and limited access to capital through discriminatory lending practices have all contributed to this decline. Taken together, the inability of Black Americans to fully participate in the land market has resulted in a lost opportunity for generational wealth creation.

We must increase representation of Black and traditional market cultivators in cannabis farming. To do so, we must address issues of land access, resource availability, and incubators for social equity in cultivation. Addressing these opportunities could generate measurable economic and social value.

Join NYSF and partners in discussing what framework, resources, policies, and practices are need to address the inequity in the agricultural sector and how to create viable and level pathways for those populations who have been historically underrepresented in U.S. cultivation (BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA + communities).

There will be talks on NY Cannabis cultivation, budtender training, plant science training and fun interactive exhibits on homegrow and other cultivation topics. Meet licensed farmers, traditional market growers, and movers and shakers in the new industry!

Please come out to Brooklyn and support this dialogue. If you would like to table at the event please DM us we still have some space. Please help us promote this important topic!