Keeping the Dream Alive: Social Equity in the California Cannabis Industry
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said,
“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
At Sunrise Mountain Farms, we strive to embody that message in everything we do—from seed to shelf, cultivating high-quality, small-batch, sun-grown California cannabis that supports both the land and our communities.
Equity in Cannabis: A Work in Progress
Dr. King’s dream wasn’t just about equality—it was about equity. Equality gives everyone the same resources; equity ensures everyone has the tools they need to succeed. In the world of legal weed, this means acknowledging the communities disproportionately harmed by past cannabis prohibition and ensuring they have a rightful place in this industry.
The social equity movement in cannabis aims to correct the injustices of the past. Organizations and policies are working to break down barriers for those previously penalized by outdated drug laws—helping them find opportunities in a market that, for too long, has excluded them.
The Role of Small Cannabis Farms in Equity
As a cannabis farm in Humboldt County, we recognize our privilege in this industry. While we are but a small piece of a much larger system, our platform allows us to advocate for fair regulations, sustainable farming, and access for all. The California cannabis market must continue to push for laws that support small farmers, craft cultivators, and those working toward a more inclusive future.
Cannabis Legalization & the Road Ahead
Despite strong opposition in the past, federal perspectives on weed are shifting. With discussions of rescheduling cannabis and expanding safe banking for legal businesses, we are hopeful for a future where the industry truly thrives—without the shadows of its past injustices.
Breathe in Humboldt. Keep the Dream Alive.
This MLK Day, we reflect on our responsibility to build a California cannabis industry that uplifts everyone, especially those historically marginalized. True justice means making room for all—growers, entrepreneurs, and consumers alike—to take part in the green revolution.
