Killer Mike has been an advocate for the legalization of marijuana for quite some time. Now that eight states have approved recreational cannabis use and 28 have approved medical marijuana, business has started booming. But it appears the black community is being left in the dust and Killer Mike lays out his case for the protection of black brothers and sisters in an op-ed for Rolling Stone.
Noting that only one percent of all marijuana dispensaries are black-owned, the Run the Jewels rapper explains the difficult process of getting into the industry.
“Although there are number of barriers to entry, one of the most concerning is that people convicted of nonviolent drug crimes are often disqualified from participation in the marijuana industry altogether – something that states like California have begun to address with their marijuana reform initiatives,” Killer Mike, who has also advocated for people to support black banks, writes.
He proceeds to break down the history of laws against marijuana and how they have greatly affected minority populations.
“Given the history of marijuana prohibition in the United States – a history rooted in the deliberate demonization and criminalization of black and Hispanic men – it’s clear that barring access to people convicted of nonviolent drug crimes ends up reproducing many of the same racial inequalities that have characterized marijuana laws for decades,” he continues.
Each state has its own process for reversing the effects of these laws and Killer Mike calls for each one to seriously consider the ramifications of past convictions for actions that are no longer illegal. Colorado and Washington, the first states to legalize weed for recreational purposes, are more strict on granting dispensary ownership to those with a history of drug convictions while California, who just approved the legalization of marijuana in November’s election, already has a plan to clean the slates of those charged for nonviolent drug crimes.
“As marijuana reform begins to de-escalate the drug war, creating new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in the process, it is imperative that the people most in need of a second chance actually get one. The price they have already paid for our failed drug policy is steep enough,” Killer Mike says.
Jay Z also recently spoke out against the war on drugs, narrating an op-ed for the New York Times. Pusha T helped advocate for California voters to pass Proposition 64, which legalized marijuana and he said would help reform the criminal justice system.
RZA also shared commentary on the legalization of marijuana and how it affected the black community in an interview last month.
“Even though it’s a criminal industry, it’s an industry that we built,” RZA said on Sway in the Morning. “Now, these young men and corporations are about to make millions and millions of dollars on it and nobody’s going to jail. Yet, we got kids that are sitting in jail from the same entrepreneurship.”
Read Killer Mike’s full op-ed about the legalization of marijuana at Rolling Stone.
black ppl always wanna be involved in everything white man creates.. but white ppl wanna join hiphop its an issue lol. you are in the marijuana industry its called the corner.
The hypocrisy is crazy. The hatred towards whites these days from black kids growing up in the burbs is laughable. They are taking over as being more racist.
It’s all going according to plan. The white genocide is in full progress. The same zionist financial elite who owns private central banks owns the mainstream media that incites race war. We are pitted against each other: “left” vs “right”, black vs white, religion vs religion to distract us while they take away our rights one by one, introduce police state and new world order. Speaking the truth is now “hate speech”, investigative *true* journalism is now “fake news” etc.. We are worse than sheep – at least sheep need the sheep dog and the shepherd to stay in line – us humans keep each others in line. You oppose the official narrative, the consensus makes sure you will experience character assasination etc.. Social justice warriors, anti-racist movements (read: anti-white), extreme left wingers, anarchists – all doing the elite’s dirty work of suppressing dissent and opposing views. We now got the tech giants Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter etc. enforcing the “official truth” by censorship and in case of Youtube (Google) demonetizing videos that address “touchy subjects” like politics etc.. Orwell and Huxley got it right. This sickens me..
yeah white people have had it so hard – GTFOH
Your constant flip flopping and replying to your own posts sickens me but such is life . PS, take off the tin foil hat weirdo it’s not helping you .
YOU are actually 100% correct. It sad most people don’t see what’s happening here. I salute you sir! Real talk.
So white people should just give their dispensaries to black people because #WhiteGuilt ?
This man Killer Mike is a one trick pony – All he does is go around yelling “racism”
If you got the money you got the family member or friend you can get to be the figure head. Been in Denver 2 years this year the amount of states tripled it’s booming so much but a big buuuuuuut it’s gonna triple again & again & then federally approved & the real big boys are gonna move in it went from 300 a zone when I first got here & has dropped 100 a year, you can go to hundreds of stores & get an ounce of high times quality bud for 100-150. You do not want to get in a commodity business you will not be able to grow tons of weed like the big boys or afford the plants& presses food grade quality facilities for all the patches, sprays, drinks. Think of the IPA scene you’ll need a niche product or brand like killer Mike can do but don’t fall for the green rush 10 years from now those who smoke will all have a close with a system growing 6-12 plants legally a crock pot specific for making budder as altria (big tobacco) and farmers who’ll replace crops to weed will have most of the industry consolidated. Don’t get me wrong there’s money to be made just don’t be foolish the margins are thin as it is. They had a bust out here and rounded up 10,000+ pounds and that was just 1 illegal grow imagine all the legal ones all the warehouse space out here is for growing parts of the city actually smell like chronic
You don’t belong on the internet because you just made a coherent articulate point without trying to take shots at somebody?!?! Where you come from?!?! You from Mars or Venus?!?! This is like seeing a unicorn, seeing a comment on the INTERNET that isn’t full of insecure rhetoric and trolling!!! Salute my G!!!!
The marijuana industry aint been around long enough to be “CALLING FOR REFORM”!!!! Usually I be with killa kill from the ville, but on this one he tripping. Industry hasn’t been around long its on the ground floor!! We need to include ourselves, by investing our time money and resources in it, lets not expect a grant for them to give it to us for free!!! The industry was just established there is plenty room for everybody!!!
one of the biggest examples in life where race, sex, gender, or disability doesn’t matter is entrepreneurialism. it’s a gold rush, there’s no rules, there’s no prejudices, there’s just a huge expanding market where the black community has possibly the strongest foothold possible, both in terms of demographics but also in culture. black people own weed culture. if black people can’t figure out a way to dominate this market, it’s a problem with black people. i’m sorry but there’s really no excuse.
except being legally barred from participating in the industry due to prior convictions for selling marijuana, which is what this article was about… do you see the irony in that?
I swear these KIDS don’t read smmh
Wow. So your dumb ass got caught commiting a crime and that is somehow America’s problem? LOL. Next you will tell me that when you pull a gun on a cop and he shoots you, it’s racism. This is hilarious.
Niggas are da best drug dealers that’s fo’ sho. Niggas need to rule in this marijuana industry.
Nah son that would be the pharmaceutical industry . But your obviously slow, and poorly educated,so it’s not your fault.Here you go take this pink pill 🙂
Killer Mike: “White people shut just bend over and take it in the ass by as black people Because slaveships from Africa.”
Bernie narrowly lost to Hillary in a rigged democratic primary with Killer Mike being one of his most vocal supporters
Hillary smoked Bernie that shit wasn’t close
Just smoke the weedaaa,why talk about it cz it won’t respond,I’m blown right nw
Killer mike cant be serious?!?! He cant be?! If the people he talking really deserve this shot they need to want it and get out here and get it, by investing, or he needs to use his resources to create something for these people he talking about and take advantage of this great opportunity!!! But he wont you know why…because this is ridiculous and makes 0 sense. !!!!
Lol. Says the guy who said voting this election was pointless. Your words hold no strength. Now see that Clinton wasn’t nearly as corrupt as Trump!
Lmao at all the idiots talking about Trump,Hilary and Bernie you dumb sheeple still haven’t realized that politicians don’t give a flying fuck about you .
Black people do not know how to run businesses or handle money. Dispensaries are a lot different from selling drugs to your own kind for a quick buck.
I love how you categorize all black people, racist. What are you doing on a hip-hop website?
If the shoe fits, wear it, you ignorant motherfucker!
So, he’s saying they should be given businesses for free? Anything for any type of handout, what a joke.
You need to lay off the dope . That’s not what he’s saying . Why do people like you lack even the most basic reading comprehension and critical thinking . PS before you start ranting . I’m white by the way
Blacks aren’t owning businesses, they are making French fries and mopping floors. No black person in the US has ever met or seen a slave, grow up and do something with your life rather then just make single mothers everywhere.
Your ignorance is deafening. For your sake stay in school.
So this idiot opens his big fat mouth again. He should be ashamed of himself. His bullshit political awareness crap helped get Trump elected. I’m not voting. What an ignorant piece of shit. Now he needs to ask the marijuana industry to embrace black America? What about Malt Liqour, gin, cognac? Planned parenthood? How about the firearm or body armor industry. Please just shut the fuck up and rap before you create more of a mess than you already have. Idiot.
wow, what is a racist doing on black music website? hip-hop has always been political dummy.
How was any of that rascist?
“Malt liquor, gin, cognac? Planned parenthood? …firearm or body armor industry” What are you trying to say about black America by naming those businesses?
What the fuck do you care, you are a white privileged little shithead, go back to your Chance albums on vinyl.
put sum respeck on my name is that you ?
Wow. So your dumb ass got caught commiting a crime and that is somehow America’s problem? LOL. Next you will tell me that when you pull a gun on a cop and he shoots you, it’s racism (even if the cop is black). This is hilarious.
You sound real pretty ..I bet you’ve got a real pretty mouth xx
Hey fellas get a room !!
so ignorant… what are you doing on a hip-hop website?
So who again is preventing black people from opening a dispensary or any other shop?? Kinda dont get it??
Banks are reluctant to give Black people business loans. Black people aren’t connected to a legal supplier of massive amounts of marijuana. Whites and other races don’t support Black run businesses. Black people need to support Black run businesses. There are a lot of things.
The article is about people being barred from the legal marijuana business because of prior convictions for marijuana. See the irony???? It’s not even directly about race.
Thanks for nothing Jason…
What a ignorant worthless motherfucker
f*ck your racist-ass Djf, you know nothing about hip-hop
I’ll break your fucking jaw best watch your mouth
I wish you would get the chance so I could beat the piss out of you. But you’re just a tough-guy behind the keyboard.
I own 4 businesses in Bismarck ND you broke little shit, a dumb little kid like you is hardly worth the slight backhand it would take to knock your ass out cold.
So tired of the ignorant comments from all these racist hip-hop fans. That’s like the greatest oxymoron ever! “Do you dudes listen to music or do you just skim through it?” Newsflash – this entire genre of music is the result of black genius. Don’t get it twisted.
F*ck these commentators specifically for all their racist bullshit:
put some respeck on my name (even mocks with his racist name), Djf, rekkington, hilarious
and I’m a whiteboy
So tired of the ignorant comments from all these racist hip-hop fans. That’s like the greatest oxymoron ever! “Do you dudes listen to music or do you just skim through it?” Newsflash – this entire genre of music is the result of black genius. Don’t get it twisted. F*ck these commentators specifically for all their racist bullshit: put some respeck on my name (even mocks with his racist name), Djf, rekkington, hilarious and I’m a whiteboy
So tired of the ignorant comments from all these racist hip-hop fans. That’s like the greatest oxymoron ever! “Do you dudes listen to music or do you just skim through it?” Newsflash – this entire genre of music is the result of black genius. Don’t get it twisted. F*ck these commentators specifically for all their racist bullshit: put some respeck on my name (even mocks with his racist name), Djf, rekkington, hilarious and I’m a whiteboy
racist hip-hop fans is an oxymoron? Dude its not the 80’s anymore. Hip Hop is the most closed-minded Music Genre ever. Look at all the Hip Hop Commentary Section at WSHH, VladTv etc. All Anti-White, Anti-Gay, Anti-J3w, Anti-Women. Hip Hop is the most descriminating Genre of all time.
YOU are the one that is a racist fucking PIG!
It’s funny, cause a white dude can’t rap without being a ‘visitor’, but yet it’s the whites who are racist? You have it twisted.
What a loudmouth baboon!
eat a dick
Fuck you, you ignorant nobody dumbass broke joke, go get a life.
It’s entirely run by K I K E S
Im am38 yr old virgin living in my parents house with a small shriveled pink little penis!
He’s the kinda nigga who would straight steal a plastic bag filled with dogshit out of a white neighbors trash can as a snack.
I guess the dx staff are all weed smokers as my comment about smokers being losers keeps getting deleted. But yet all of the racist comments stay…