The U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC) has partnered with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) to establish a summer internship program. This internship has a duration of nine weeks. You can describe it as the easiest available option to dive into the cannabis industry. Through the Pathways to the C-Suite internship program, black
Americans and other people of color have a chance to be a part of the budding cannabis sector through the Pathways to the C-Suite internship program. The program was modeled to launch the African American talent pool forward. Since the establishment of the U.S. legal industry, one thing that has stood out in the space is the unequal distribution of tribes. The whites in the sector are more than all the POCs combined.
The USCC's Goal
The organization has the mandate to make the cannabis industry as diverse, inclusive, and equal as it can be. Considering the fact that the colored community bore the brunt of the war on drugs and are now being shortchanged in the budding industry. Black entrepreneurs and employees in the sector need equal opportunities to grow.
According to Tahir Johnson, the organization's Director of Social Equity & Inclusion, most black business owners willing to get involved in the industry are constantly denied access. The regulatory bodies have unintentionally created a sector that mostly favors non-blacks. Johnson added that the new partnership with CBCF will improve access to the industry for black students and entrepreneurs.
In a few weeks, the organization plans to launch a tool to assess the success rates of black companies in the industry. This will be done through the newly established diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) task force.
A Coloured Cannabis Industry
A glimpse at the current hotshots in the various state-legal cannabis industries would reveal very few blacks and more whites. With a reform program such as this, black youths will have many chances to push for reformed cannabis policies.
The internship was first revealed in late 2021, and the U.S. cannabis council backed up the new reveal with a deadline for applications within the first week of December 2021. This could start a foundational program that would position many black youths on the legal cannabis platform. The program organizers are looking for black young adults who wish to join the cannabis train. The program promises to teach essential business values to these recent college graduates and link them with network opportunities at leading cannabis companies. These companies include Curaleaf, Holistic, Marijuana Policy Project, Columbia Care, ACHEM, Weedmaps, and Canopy.
The Summer 2022 Pathways to the C-Suite Internship will allow college students (in their final year) and the latest graduates to show what they are made of to the top cannabis executives in the country. They will have a chance to learn about cannabis policy formulations and the factors that influence these policies at every level. The program is the best place to learn about all things related to the business side of the cannabis industry. Prospective interns have a lot to gain from this program, from valuable knowledge to hands-on work experience within corporate cannabis, which will boost their CVs. The lucky ones could even get retained.
What's To Gain From The Program?
The new internship program, in partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, is one of the best things to hit the cannabis industry at the moment. Employment diversity should be the norm; hence this program will help push things in the right direction. Since most companies involved believe in internships leading to employment opportunities, the interns will have difficulty landing stable jobs after the program. The selected students or graduates for the program will receive about $3,000 as a stipend and free housing throughout the 9-week internship. They will also have to report to the corporate sponsor's office.
Qualified applicants will be equipped with the valuable tools and skills to stand out in the current cannabis industry. The partnership has scheduled a few events and development sessions to hone the team-building and leadership development skills of these interns.
To survive in any sector in corporate America, these skills are necessary. The companies affiliated with the program will provide suitable environments for the interns to learn and resolve simple and complex challenges in the field. The interns will also work close to senior business leaders to gain insight and network with other black cannabis workers.
A Committed Task Force
The USCC's DEI task force was recently relaunched after merging with the Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF). Linda Mercado Greene, Founder and CEO of Anacostia Organics and Chairwoman of the DEI taskforce stated that the taskforce's primary goal was to ensure that people of color have equal opportunities in the industry, particularly those with strong ties to communities most affected by the drug war. She stressed that equality is crucial for people of color to gain access and thrive in the industry.
Currently, the task force is developing a strategy to create a diverse and inclusive cannabis industry. It plans to ensure that disadvantaged communities reap the most benefits of cannabis reforms. Efforts will be intensified once federal lawmakers decriminalize cannabis.
A few members of the task force include former Congressman Carlos Curbelo, Columbia Care Vice President Nhiste Abebe, Tetrasol Co-founder Rtd. Judge Shelli Hayes, Lantern Head of Equity Partnerships Akele Pernell, Akerna Director Ashesh Shaw, and National Cannabis Festival Founder Caroline Phillips. These members cut across civil rights activities, athletes, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, and former lawmakers. Greene noted that all task force members come with a wide range of experience.
Bottom Line
The legalization of medical and adult-use cannabis is making waves across the country, but most regulatory bodies have refused to carry the colored communities along. With the USCC's involvement, the industry may finally have a good shot at being equitable and inclusive. The internship program will remove access barriers for the young black population and keep them on an excellent path to retaining leadership in the industry. You can visit the organization's website to check if you're eligible to apply for the program before recruitment begins.
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