As Co-founder of Latinos for Cannabis, I would like to announce our solidarity in supporting the Exodus from the Cannabis World Congress and Business Exposition (CWCBExpo) ignited by the announcement of Roger Stone as keynote speaker.

LFC stands in solidarity with the Minority Cannabis Business Association, Women Abuv Ground, California Minority Alliance, and many more minority business entrepreneurs who have also announced their participation withdrawal from the conference taking place in Los Angeles, CA.

Adding more disgrace to the matter at hand was CWCBE’s organizer, Scott Gianotti’s indefensible public social media response to the possible boycott. His offensive and derogatory remarks were displayed as sheer arrogance that clearly came from a place of privilege and disconnect. While, many waited to see CWCBE’s official response, we at LFC will not tolerate such insults and disrespect to our people.

There is a difference between method and goals. While the methods may be debatable and done through Integration, Segregation, and/or Solidarity — the goals as a people of color and minorities to regain Dignity, Respect, and Recognition are not. What dignity is there for us when we are made to beg for inclusion and participation? Is inclusion to these newly emerged conferences seen as some type of “civil rights” advancement? We will not reach our goals of Dignity, Respect, and Recognition by sitting in. It’s not dignity, its ignorance. We will however, attain our goals by owning our own businesses, creating our own platforms and pathways. Why should we continue to turn the other cheek when it is the privileged that are coming into our space? They should be the one’s trying to integrate into our world! After all we have carried this industry on our backs and have suffered the most from the criminalization of Cannabis. Our people continue to face hardships created and perpetuated by the discrimination and marginalization of our communities. We will not stand for it!

We must continue to remind them that these are our cities, our communities and should be respected as such. We ask that you get involved today and stand in solidarity with us. We are a flash in time but our impact is forever! Por mi familia, para mis amigos, por nuestra comunidad. Que viva la revolucion!

)
Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade