Minnesota’s CanRenew: A Step Towards Cannabis Equity & Justice

Minnesota’s CanRenew Program: Righting Past Wrongs with Cannabis Revenue

As legal marijuana sales take root in Minnesota, the state is not only looking to the future but also addressing the past. Introducing the “CanRenew” program: a novel initiative devised to reinvest tax revenues from cannabis sales back into communities most scarred by prior cannabis prohibition.

The CanRenew Initiative

The CanRenew program promises to channel a portion of the state’s cannabis tax revenues towards grants. These grants target nonprofits, local governments, and groups set on ameliorating health outcomes, championing violence prevention, and stimulating economic development.

Eligibility and Equity

For communities to benefit from this program, their residents must align with Minnesota’s definition of “social equity applicants.” The state’s new Office of Cannabis Management will keep these criteria in mind when allocating business licenses, ensuring that those most affected by cannabis prohibition – from veterans to emerging farmers – are considered.

Voices from the Ground

Photo by S. Whiting Angela Dawson

Angela “Iyegbah” Dawson, a beacon in Minnesota’s cannabis community, encapsulates the journey and challenges many face. A 4th-generation farmer and founder of Forty Acre Co-op, the first Black farming cooperative in the U.S. since Reconstruction, Dawson’s journey has been marked by resilience. From witnessing the erosion of her family’s farming legacy due to racially biased policies to navigating the cannabis industry’s disparities, Dawson’s story amplifies the importance of initiatives like CanRenew. Currently cultivating hemp and championing farmland sustainability in Pine County, MN, Dawson remains a testament to the Black farming community’s tenacity and vision.

Rep. Jess Hanson, DFL-Burnsville, echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the reparative nature of the program. “These programs are just the beginning of what it can look like to really start to reinvest in the communities that were harmed the most.”

Towards a Just Future

Data from the ACLU of Minnesota underscores the urgency, revealing that Black Minnesotans faced arrest rates for possession five times higher than their white counterparts. With the CanRenew initiative, Minnesota aims to balance the scales, not just in terms of economic equity but also social justice. As the 23rd state to greenlight recreational cannabis use for adults over 21, Minnesotans now look towards 2025, when retail sales commence, with the law earmarking an initial $1 million for CanRenew.

The journey towards a just cannabis industry in Minnesota is still underway, but with initiatives like CanRenew and the dedication of individuals like Angela Dawson, the path forward seems a little brighter.