White Cannabis Entrepreneurs Claim Discrimination in the US
The owner of Loe Firehouse Cannabis Dispensary in California, John Loe, claims that white entrepreneurs working in the cannabis industry are facing discrimination in the United States.
Support Programs Allegedly Favor Black Entrepreneurs
Last year, Loe criticized a social equity program launched in Sonoma County, California, which was designed to provide financial support to victims of the war on cannabis who want to start legal businesses in the industry. According to Loe, only Black entrepreneurs can count on government assistance, leading him to accuse the program’s creators of racism. He stated that white people would persevere and that officials would not be able to intimidate them.
However, according to the published rules, the program is open to all individuals convicted of cannabis-related offenses and their family members, regardless of race. Still, Loe points to a phrase in the program’s description as evidence of discrimination: “Wealthy white people are increasingly becoming owners of licensed cannabis businesses.” Government data supports this, showing that up to 78% of cannabis shops are owned by white men.
Loe Receives Over $39,000 in Government Grants
Loe applied for the cannabis business support program and received a grant of $39,387.50 from Sonoma authorities. He believes officials approved his application to disprove his claims of racism. Nevertheless, Loe called receiving the grant a personal victory and a win for all white people who feel discriminated against.
Distribution of Financial Support in Sonoma County
In addition to Loe, 19 other cannabis entrepreneurs received financial support this year, totaling $635,000. However, industry representatives received much less than they requested. For example, Loe had asked for $1 million.
Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt stated that the grant program aims to help socially and economically disadvantaged citizens. However, journalists discovered that, in practice, this principle was not always followed. Most recipients of the funding turned out to be successful businesspeople, not members of disadvantaged groups. Notably, four entrepreneurs who claimed to be victims of punitive drug policies are connected to a major cannabis retail chain in California called SPARC.