Social Equity Initiatives

As cannabis continues to be legalized throughout the United States, it’s important as an industry that we support & propel social equity initiatives that aim to undo the damage done to minority communities throughout the War on Drugs.

As a leading media platform in the cannabis space, Benzinga is committed to understanding, supporting, and enabling organizations whose mission is to provide unobstructed access to the cannabis industry for wrongfully-incarcerated individuals and minority populations affected by cannabis prohibition.

WHAT IS SOCIAL EQUITY?

Plainly stated, social equity refers to legislation that promotes and encourages participation in the cannabis industry by people from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.

According to United Way, social equity is impartiality, fairness and justice for all people in social policy. Social equity takes into account systemic inequalities to ensure everyone in a community has access to the same opportunities and outcomes. Equity of all kinds acknowledges that inequalities exist and works to eliminate them, to level the playing field.

WHAT WE’RE DOING TO ENACT CHANGE

Through our Cannabis Capital Conference series, we strive to put a spotlight on the conversation surrounding social equity via panel discussions with organizations who are combating inequality in the cannabis industry, individuals who have been adversely affected by the War on Drugs, and policymakers who are leading the charge on writing legislation to undo the impacts of prohibition.

Additionally, Benzinga has committed to donating a percentage of all event ticket sales to Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform.

We are also proud to offer discounted conference tickets to owners of marijuana businesses who have received state certification for their social equity initiatives. Please click HERE to apply for a Social Equity Conference Pass.