In celebration of Black History Month, the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion sponsored a panel discussion on restorative justice, and the inequities within the legalized cannabis industry. This program was part of our regular DEI Education series.
DWT welcomed panelists Yvette McDowell, a former prosecutor and current cannabis law consultant, and Kika Keith, co-founder and president of the Social Equity Owners & Workers Association (SEOWA), to discuss their experiences navigating the social inequities in the legalized cannabis industry and licensure process in California. DWT Associate Nicole Phillis, who is a member of DWT's cannabis practice and active in the industry, contributed her insights on this topic. The panel tackled the origins of cannabis prohibition, which was steeped in racism, the war on drugs and the impact that has had on the legal cannabis industry, and ways to create social equity in the name of restorative justice.
Client Experience Manager and co-chair of the United Shades of DWT Employee Resource Group, Gerald Glover III served as moderator for this panel.
In advance of this event, participants were invited to browse the following materials and submit questions for the speakers to address during the panel:
- Accountability Report - California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA)
- Social Equity Owners & Workers Association (SEOWA)
- Marijuana entrepreneurs sue L.A. over 'flawed' approval process - Los Angeles Times
- Meet Kika Keith, the first Black woman to own an L.A. dispensary - Weedmaps
(On-demand versions are not eligible for CLE credit.)