Ep82 - An interview with WeedWeek's founder and editor-in-chief, Alex Halperin

Plus, some gentle ranting on the George Floyd murder/protest and how the cannabis industry can meaningfully respond.Preamble: The firestorm of the last two weeks has been smoldering for decades. I haven’t watched and cannot stomach the 9-minute George Floyd snuff film, but the shock of the it has finally awakened the country. I, like many millions, hope that the protests can amend the broken policing and justice systems and finally rid the country of the corruption and malfeasance occupying the White House and Senate.Show notes: I recorded this podcast with Alex Halperin, founder and editor-in-chief of WeedWeek a month before the country erupted. The main part of this interview centers around WeedWeek’s Guide to the California Cannabis Industry, which is available at no fee. No one thought legalizating a state of 40 million people and where the current market is estimated at $3-5 Billion was going to be easy, but no one imagined it would become a bloodbath. California taxes weed at 40% and regulates the industry “more strictly than radioactive waste,” as industry veteran Steve DeAngelo put it. Both factors have kept the illegal market thriving. But there is still much hope that The Golden State can solve some it’s problems. And remember as California goes, so goes the country, so it’s worth watching, especially as some 10 additional states prepare to vote for adult use or medical in the November election (not all ballot initiatives have yet gathered the requisite number of signatures). Gentle rant: Honing in on one topic that Halperin and I touched on briefly: the disregard that many of the more “successful” state legalization programs have for social equity or restitution programs. So many citizens and communities have been disproportionately affected by the Drug Wars and the prison industrial complex but not enough industry leaders have taken up the call for restitution. We have devoted a few (not enough) podcasts to these issues but it is clear that they should be addressed forcefully right now.This is a golden opportunity to create a more fair and just cannabis industry. I don’t think profit should be the sole definition of “success.” Every cannabis company should think about instituting training, development and education programs that help to make amends for the injustices of the past (and present) and build a more inclusive future. Yes, it’s difficult to create such programs. They take time and money and there are no guarantees, but that doesn’t mean the effort should be glossed over. As William Faulkner noted: “The past is not dead. It’s not even past.” This is especially true with the racism that continues to underlie cannabis prohibition and keep people out of the industry. Random Final Notes: It goes without saying but I’m going to say it anyway: Make sure you’re registered to vote. Even if you feel that voting is an inadequate response to the primacy of the moment, read Stacey Abrams’ essay on the importance of this seemingly inconsequential act. Hear her out and then just do it. Al Sharpton’s eulogy at the George Floyd memorial was extraordinary. It was as if he waited his entire life to deliver this searing indictment of the power structure that took Mr. Floyd’s life. His oratory ensures that the phrase “Get your knee off our necks” will become the battle cry for this moment in time. If you have some pennies laying around think about tossing a few to NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. This org has been fighting the racial justice for 50 years and has never wavered from this position.This insightful essay by Eric Altieri, NORML’s Executive Director, spells out the struggle without glossing over the difficulties ahead. For a wise inquiry on the ways we white Americans can respond to the open wound of racism, listen to Tara Brach’s talk, A Courageous Presence With Racism. It’s honest and at times tough and this white man couldn’t stop thinking about it. And remember, every protest counts, even if you’re the only one. (Thank you, Dave Pell)