Keith Nickerson worked as a farmer growing vegetables his whole life, but a couple of years ago his uncle approached him asking him if he would be interested in becoming his medical marijuana caregiver.
“I tried my hand and I was really good at it, so I’ve been growing ever since and I love it. It’s a growing industry and I can’t believe we legalized it, and I’m ready to do my best.”
Nickerson was among a crowd of local residents who also gathered at the medical marijuana expo on Thursday to learn more about the industry in our community.
A panel of experts briefed the audience on all the current laws and regulations, but also opened a discussion to how the marijuana industry can affect various populations - like people of color, immigrants and people with disabilities.
Here is panelist Cimone Casson, financial adviser and founder of Cannas Capital, an insurance company focused on cannabis protection.
“Until we expunge or create a pathway for them to become entrepreneurs and to be able to have earned income, we exclude a whole group of people.”
In Michigan, African American men are ten times more likely to be arrested for a marijuana offense compared to their white counterparts even though both groups use marijuana at the same rate, according to 2017 data from the Michigan State Police, and righting these wrongs is exactly what city and county officials want to do when it comes to people of color accessing the marijuana industry.
The county and the city will be hosting more educational events on medical marijuana in the coming months. The next one is scheduled to take place next Tuesday at the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan.
Kayla Sosa, WGVU News.
Michelle Jokisch Polo contributed to this story.
