Can pot companies gain legitimacy through social justice?
There is almost nothing more corporate than an acronym. So as cannabis transitions to the mainstream, the industry is adopting a hallmark of modern business speak: CSR, or corporate social responsibility.
The Star
The Star
Q&A With Entrepreneur & kindColorado
Often times, cannabis-businesses owners will tell us that no one ever asks them what they care about, what their values are, and what legacy they want to leave behind. Even in spite of a heavy tax burden, negative stereotypes, and untrue assumptions, business owners are rising to support their neighbors, increase equity and diversity within their sector, and create powerful models for economic, social and political for change.
Green Entrepreneur
Green Entrepreneur
Because the Data Says So
The data is in. Time after time, purpose-driven companies financially outperform companies without a clearly defined social mission. In fact, Harvard Business Review states that 58% of purpose-driven businesses demonstrate 10%+ growth after three years while only 42% of traditional companies can make that claim.
MJBizTalks
MJBizTalks
Be A Good Neighbor
Why should cannabis, more than any other industry, be compelled to be “a good neighbor?” Is it because Mr. Rogers said so? Is it because of the intense, hurtful, systematic racist harm done to low-income and people of color during the War on Drugs? Is it because cannabis culture promotes a sense of good old-fashioned do-gooding?
MJBizTalks
MJBizTalks
Cannabis Companies Struggle To Be Charitable
Colorado cannabis companies have found it is hard for them to be charitable. Nonprofits often turn away pot profits for fear of losing federal grant money. But at least one Denver-based organization is not feeling any joint pain.
Denver CBS Local
Denver CBS Local
Cannabis Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
Guests Kelly Perez and Courtney Mathis with Denver-based kindColorado discuss opportunities and challenges of cannabis-related CSR (corporate social responsibility). Episode 52, Getting High on Anthropology.
Denver Open Media
Denver Open Media
Good Citizenship
Giving back can help MJ companies burnish their public image, get an edge on rivals and attract customers and talent. Cannabis companies around the nation are finding they can get back nearly as much as they give to their local communities.
Marijuana Business Magazine
Marijuana Business Magazine
Pot Warehouses in Denver Are Booming - At The Detriment of Low-Income Neighborhoods
Soaring commercial real estate prices are a sign of a thriving pot industry in Denver—but low-income communities of color are taking a disproportionate property-tax hit. ccording to founders Kelly Perez and Courtney Mathis, Denver can provide lessons to other states and municipalities that are in the process of legalizing marijuana.
Pacific Standard
Pacific Standard
Sweet Grass Kitchen Creates New Product to Support Planned Parenthood
Here at The Weed Blog we always appreciate seeing cannabis businesses help in their communities. We commend Sweet Grass Kitchen and Planned Parenthood on this partnership and are thrilled to share this good news....
The Maven
The Maven
Courtney Mathis | Cannabis Doing Good
Courtney Mathis is a serial entrepreneur within the Cannabis Space. Her history in the non-profit sector has given her a unique passion for business/community involvement, which she now applies to the emerging cannabis industry.
The MindMill Podcast
The MindMill Podcast
Advocacy Groups Push Colorado To Make Legal Marijuana Market More Equitable
Colorado can do a lot more to make its legal marijuana market more open, transparent and equitable, a coalition of criminal justice reform advocacy groups said in a recent letter outlining regulatory recommendations. The coalition, led by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), put forward 12 recommendation.
Marijuana Moment
Marijuana Moment
Americans reflect on pros, cons of legal pot ahead of 420
America's marijuana supporters have a lot to celebrate on this 420 holiday : Thirty states have legalized some form of medical marijuana, according to a national advocacy group. Yet cannabis remains illegal under federal law, and it still has many opponents. Here's a look at what Kelly Perez, CEO and founder of kindColorado, has to say about the state of marijuana in the U.S. today.
ABC News
ABC News
Lightshade Dispensary Gives Back
Lightshade continues to push forward and create its own path for serving the community; specifically targeting homelessness and hunger. Members of Lightshade’s CSR team are working in tandem with kindColorado LLC on a joint mission to help cannabis businesses become welcomed contributors to communities.
Leaf Buyer
Leaf Buyer
Cannabis Philanthropy Helps Heal Drug War Wounds
As marijuana businesses continue to assimilate into America’s traditional corporate world, philanthropy and responsibility have become key initiatives for some ganjapreneurs.
The Cannabist
The Cannabist
End 4/20 Shame: How Can the Cannabis Industry Give Back?
For cannabis companies, giving back to the community isn’t always easy. In fact, many charitable organizations are reluctant to accept donations from the cannabis industry, citing worries of legality at the national level.
Dope Magazine
Dope Magazine
End 4/20 Shame: A Dispensary, a Church and an Unlikely Partnership
Cannabis and church: not two items that typically go together. But, in Denver, Amazing Grace Community Church and Lightshade dispensary are working to change that. In December, as part of Lightshade’s corporate and local-level giving initiatives, the dispensary’s Federal Heights location partnered with neighboring Amazing Grace Community Church to give food to people in need.
Dope Magazine
Dope Magazine
Can Cannabis Build Communities?
Two very different women with very different stories unite for the same cause. Sum and Substance shares stories of purpose at work. Learn how to build cultures that help people find their purpose.
Sum & Substance
Sum & Substance
Charitable Cannabis Companies Find Giving Back Isn’t As Easy As You’d Think
More marijuana businesses have begun to explore philanthropy in the legal era, but many face difficulty finding nonprofits that will accept their donations.
The Cannabist
The Cannabist