Worker-owned cannabis cooperatives in Rhode Island are striving to help those affected by the war on drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State law<\/a> mandates at least six retail cannabis licenses be awarded to these co-ops, which give members a say in business operations as well as a share of profits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emma Karnes, organizer for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328, said the greatest challenge is gaining access to capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The entrepreneurs in this project are by and large people without access to wealthy networks and they’re up against very, very deep-pocketed corporate players,” Karnes explained. “The competition is really fierce and the resources are really slim.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Karnes pointed out her union is working with other community-based groups to recruit co-op members and equip them with the resources they need. With sales of $100 million<\/a> this year, Rhode Island has the nation’s smallest cannabis market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have shown minorities were incarcerated for cannabis use at significantly higher rates<\/a> than white people, affecting their eligibility for housing and employment. The worker co-op movement aims to ensure those affected can find job security and take ownership of cannabis legalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David-Allen Sumner Sr., organizer for Co-op Rhody and Break the Cycle<\/a>, said it is about building generational wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “With all the money that’s being made, it’s not being shared equally or even fairly,” Sumner contended. “This is where the cooperative business model in cannabis comes into play because it is such a lucrative business.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sumner added formerly incarcerated people like himself are learning the technical and business side of cannabis to run a successful dispensary. He stressed the worker co-op model has the potential to truly help impoverished communities and it cannot happen soon enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Publisher\u2019s Notes:<\/strong>\u00a0Worker-owned cannabis co-ops in RI aim for economic justice<\/a><\/em>\u00a0was first published by\u00a0Public News Service<\/a>, and republished with permission.\u00a0RI Latino News amplifies stories that center Hispanic, Latino voices to provide greater visibility the communities we serve.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Worker-owned cannabis cooperatives in Rhode Island are striving to help those affected by the war on drugs. State law mandates at 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