First Topic: Cannabis (In)Equity and Reparations: From Criminalization to Economic Engine

BALTIMORE, MD. (Thursday, February 9, 2023) - The Baltimore City Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR), in partnership with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, will launch a series of Critical Community Conversations on Thursday, February 16, 2023, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History, located at 830 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Refreshments will be available at 6:00 PM, and the conversation will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

The event is FREE and open to the public, however, registration via Eventbrite is required.

The first topic to be discussed in the series is a critical conversation regarding cannabis equity, inequity, and the reparations necessary to address the inequity. Titled Cannabis (In)Equity and Reparations: From Criminalization to Economic Engine, the conversation will be moderated by OECR Director and the City's Chief Equity Officer Dana Petersen Moore.

"We are excited about launching the series," stated Chief Equity Officer Dana P. Moore. "We feel that cannabis equity is the perfect topic to begin these critical conversations. During this inaugural discussion, we want to ask the "big" questions, unravel the disparities related to this important subject, educate the public about local, state, and federal laws, and learn the economics of the cannabis business."

Panelists include Terri Lee Freeman, executive director of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum; Dayvon Love, director of policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle; Nicole Hanson-Mundell, executive director of Out for Justice; and Mary and Octavia Wiseman, owners of the Mary and Main Cannabis Dispensary located in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Additionally, Maryland legislators who are closely involved with setting policy for Maryland's regulation of the cannabis industry are invited to join the conversation.

"In November 2022, Marylanders voted overwhelmingly in favor of legislation that allows for the recreational use of marijuana," added Director Moore. "As the State prepares to regulate what will most certainly become a major economic engine for the State of Maryland, we must also consider how to address the inequity between those with criminal records resulting from past cannabis use and sales and those who will now, legally and with State sanctioning, engage in use and sales. Our panelists will discuss these issues and more as we engage in another difficult, yet necessary community conversation. Join us!"

Reduced parking is available for attendees at the PMI Garage, located across from the museum at 815 East Pratt Street, with validation.