When Did We Become Okay With Casual Racism in the Cannabis Industry?

The cannabis industry often prides itself on being progressive, inclusive, and community-driven. We talk about social justice. We talk about equity. We talk about repairing the harms caused by prohibition.

Yet when racism appears within our own industry, the response is often very different.

When did we become so comfortable looking the other way?

taken from x.com from a Canadian “influencer”

Consider the influencer and self-described educator who publicly posted that Muslims are ruining the world. The statement was clear. The message was harmful. Yet after the post was removed, the consequences seemed to disappear as well. Invitations continued. Partnerships remained. Industry opportunities continued to flow.

Apparently deleting the evidence was enough.

Then there are the companies that have faced scrutiny for racist imagery or symbols. In one case, a harmful symbol displayed inside a licensed producer’s facility was dismissed as a mistake. The conversation quickly shifted from the impact of the symbol to reassuring everyone that no harm was intended.

But intent and impact are not the same thing.

The question isn’t whether people can make mistakes. Of course they can.

The question is why the cannabis industry seems so willing to extend grace when racism is involved, while often showing far less patience for other forms of misconduct.

Too often, accountability depends on who is involved. If someone is popular, profitable, well-connected, or useful to the industry, their actions are treated as an unfortunate misunderstanding rather than a serious issue that deserves examination.

Meanwhile, those who speak up are frequently labelled divisive, difficult, or overly sensitive.

The industry cannot claim to value inclusion while simultaneously excusing behavior that alienates entire communities.

Real allyship isn’t tested when it’s easy. It’s tested when holding people accountable becomes uncomfortable.

Removing a post doesn’t erase the beliefs behind it. Calling something a mistake doesn’t automatically resolve the harm it caused. And silence from the broader industry doesn’t create unity. It creates permission.

If cannabis wants to position itself as a modern and progressive industry, it needs to apply those values consistently, not only when they are convenient.

The question isn’t whether racism exists in cannabis.

The question is why so many people are willing to overlook it when the person responsible is someone they know.