Since its origin, the bud industry has continued to shatter records that no other industry has come close to doing so. By the end of the decade, the bud industry will gross more than $250 billion. This sector contains businesses of all types. Some of these cannabis businesses emphasize investment, security and loss prevention, packaging, transportation, logistics, and many others. However, before the bud industry became legitimate as early as the 2000s, many individuals were incarcerated for running their bud businesses, albeit once illegitimate. Moreover, a large population of individuals is currently behind bars for minuscule amounts of natural supplements. Despite this, the industry operating in Arizona is doing its best to provide those negatively affected by cannabis laws a fair playing field in the cannabis industry.
A quick recap on prohibition
During the early 1900s, the state of cannabis would take a deep nosedive as none witnessed ever before. This was a time of pure slander and nonsensical propaganda of bud, unlike any time in the history of cannabis. There was a film produced amidst the Great Depression showcasing the ‘atrocities’ of smoking cannabis. This campaign was headed by Harry Anslinger. He also had help from the infamous timber lord, William Randolph Hearst.
Hearst is best remembered for crafting the most known newspaper publication of then (and now): the New York Times. These two gentlemen were frightened by the flexibility of cannabis in its textile form. This is known as hemp. Hemp is literally hundreds of times more durable and fortified than traditional textiles such as cotton and nylon. These amazing feats intrigued Anslinger and Hearst. Unfortunately, instead of simply cultivating the medicinal properties of cannabis and industrial hemp for patients, Anslinger, with financial help from Hearst, decided to run the most aggressive smear campaign ever arranged against cannabis.
The current state of cannabis in Arizona
Most patients assumed that Arizona had been a ‘legal state’ for years to some extent. This is not the situation; In 2010, The state became a cannabis-friendly state. Last Fall, Citizens of Arizona encouraged the passing of Prop 207. This Fall, Arizona is becoming more charming for ex-cons attempting to enter the industry. This is due to Arizona being very warm towards social equity in the industry. Candidates possessing ‘relevant experience’ (i.e., relative misdemeanors or felonies) receive higher priority versus those with an empty record.
The industry today
Since the days of old, cannabis has become more typical and less problematic in the eyes of, well, the world. As mentioned above, the cannabis sector is shattering sales records every month. Additionally, a slew of emerging markets in various states will begin to provide bud to their residents. The cannabis market is also experiencing steady growth and revenue every new fiscal year across the globe. The industry also diversified itself and no longer is strictly bud dispensaries and delivery services. (We curated an article on the variety of jobs in the industry. Be sure to check it out!)
How Arizona’s cannabis industry is becoming engaged
Notwithstanding the United States House of Representatives enacting an outstanding bill, nothing is certain surrounding the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis to a federal extend. Moreover, owners and operators of cannabis businesses realize the consequences associated with bud-related offenses on one’s record. The former can have a detrimental effect on their professional circumstances. This is why companies in the industry jumpstart candidates who have been affected by the archaic bills surrounding the criminalization of cannabis. Although there is no way to retain what has been lost, the bare minimum cannabis companies can give ex-bud offenders a chance that was stolen from them.