Trust and integrity should be the foundation of any industry, especially one like cannabis transportation, which is rooted in promises of equity and inclusion. Unfortunately, my experience with the Illinois Independent Cannabis Transporters Association (IICTA) has shown how easily these values can be undermined by unethical practices. I feel compelled to share my story to address the harm caused by IICTA and its leadership.
IICTA’s Misuse of Our Brand
ACC of Illinois Transportation has never been affiliated with IICTA. Despite this, IICTA has been using our logo without permission, falsely implying a connection between our organizations. This is not just misleading—it is fraudulent.
For months, we have asked them to stop using our logo. Each request has been ignored. Their actions create confusion for stakeholders and harm the trust we’ve built in the cannabis community. This misuse of our brand is unacceptable, and we are pursuing legal action to protect our reputation and disassociate ourselves from IICTA entirely.
Personal Betrayal During the Veto Session
My frustrations with IICTA go beyond branding issues. Last year, during the Veto Session in Springfield, I witnessed firsthand how IICTA’s leadership operates. Amber, our registered lobbyist, failed to inform us that she had officially registered in August. We discovered this critical detail only at the last minute.
What hurt the most, however, were the text messages. Amber and Joanne Grace, representing IICTA and Hands to Heart, accidentally sent me messages mocking my efforts to advocate for third-party transporters. Their words stung, not only because they were disrespectful but because they disregarded my years of dedication to this industry. While I worked to build relationships and push for change, they took credit for my work, using my connections and efforts without acknowledgment.
A Pattern of Exploitation
This experience is part of a broader problem I’ve seen repeatedly in cannabis advocacy: the exploitation of Black business owners. Individuals like Amber have used our sweat equity and networks for their gain, only to turn around and claim the work as their own.
It is especially troubling to see Amber advocating for her boyfriend, who holds a third-party transporter license in Chicago, while presenting herself as a champion for all transporters. This raises questions about her true intentions and whose interests she is truly serving. Advocacy should never be self-serving—it should be about lifting the community as a whole.
Why I No Longer Advocate for Transporters
After years of fighting for equity and transparency, I have decided to step away from advocating for cannabis transporters or aligning myself with any association. The constant disrespect, exploitation, and misrepresentation have taken a toll.
I have spent years educating others about cannabis legislation, often facing resistance from those unwilling to see the bigger picture. To have my work appropriated by others is disheartening. It’s not enough to build relationships and push for change; we must also hold others accountable when they undermine those efforts.
Moving Forward with Integrity
At ACC of Illinois Transportation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to transparency, equity, and respect. The actions of IICTA’s leadership do not define us. Instead, they motivate us to continue fighting for what is right.
I encourage the cannabis community to support organizations and individuals who embody integrity and fairness. Let’s build a cannabis industry where misrepresentation and exploitation have no place. Advocacy must be rooted in respect, collaboration, and a shared vision for progress.
A Call for Accountability
The cannabis industry has always promised equity and fairness. To achieve this, we must hold people accountable for their actions. IICTA’s misuse of our brand and their unethical practices are unacceptable, and they must answer for the harm they have caused.
Thank you to everyone who has supported ACC of Illinois Transportation. Your trust and encouragement mean everything to us as we continue to stand for the principles that matter most.
#ACCofIllinois #Transparency #Respect #CannabisCommunity
