Breaking Barriers: Black Farmers Secure Marijuana Licenses in Florida
Two black farmers, Terry Donnell Gwinn from Suwannee County and Bascom-based Shedrick McGriff, have successfully secured licenses to grow, process, and sell medical marijuana. Issued by the Florida Department of Health on July 11, these licenses come as a result of recent legislation (HB 387), aimed at correcting historical disparities and are the first of their kind for Black farmers in the state.
The Road to Victory: Black Farmers Obtain Medical Marijuana Licenses
HB 387, passed in May, helped materialize a 2017 law that reserved a medical marijuana license for a black farmer with substantial ties to Florida. A requirement was that the farmer had to have participated in class-action lawsuits, referred to as the “Pigford” cases, against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over discriminatory lending practices.
The Department of Health accepted applications for the reserved license in March 2022 after prolonged delays. Despite significant challenges and legal hurdles, Gwinn and McGriff fulfilled the necessary criteria and received their licenses.
Black Farmers’ Licenses: Not Just a License, But a Victory
In the words of Shedrick McGriff, “As a Black farmer, I’ve lived our history with agriculture and felt the weight of the imbalances we’ve shouldered. We’re rolling up our sleeves, preparing meticulously to offer medical cannabis to those patients who need it.”
With Gwinn and McGriff securing their licenses, the state now boasts a total of 24 licensed medical marijuana operators. These farmers must now seek authorization to begin cultivating marijuana plants within two months.
Towards a Brighter Future
The granting of these licenses signifies more than just legal permission—it indicates a significant shift in the narrative for black farmers. It signals a willingness to address past discriminatory practices and constitutes a major stride towards diversity, inclusion, and equitable representation within Florida’s medical marijuana industry.
