Barriers and Opportunities in Cannabis Lending

This chapter explores the complexities surrounding small business loans within the marijuana industry, highlighting the significant startup costs and the application challenges faced by aspiring entrepreneurs. It also addresses the ongoing issues of criminal justice reform, particularly regarding the incarceration of individuals for marijuana offenses that are now legal, while discussing potential legislative changes for expunging past convictions. Through a critical lens, the speakers analyze the intersection of race, policy, and opportunity, calling for concrete actions rather than vague promises to support marginalized communities impacted by the war on drugs.