“We as leaders in the space have a duty to help reframe the narrative,” said Hip-Hop pioneer and B NOBLE founder Fab 5 Freddy in an exclusive interview with Benzinga. Discussing the role of cannabis education, he highlighted a recent initiative offering 100 free job training grants in Florida, a collaboration between B NOBLE and Greenbook Academy.
These grants, designed to empower minorities and aspiring professionals, focus on cannabis trimming and dispensary technician training, providing crucial skills for entering the industry.
A Model For Boosting Inclusion Through Cannabis
Fab 5 Freddy believes that education is essential to building a more equal industry. “Cannabis is still a very new legal business and there is a huge gap in education,” he explained. From running a dispensary to educating customers, cannabis requires a knowledge base comparable to traditional industries. He noted that as a Black-owned business, B NOBLE is committed to reclaiming space for the communities historically impacted by punitive cannabis laws.
B NOBLE, launched in partnership with Curaleaf CURLF, is the company’s first large-scale social equity brand, dedicated to telling the story of Bernard Noble, who served seven years of a 13-year sentence for minor cannabis possession. This partnership with Greenbook, he said, helps lay a foundation for equitable practices and supports individuals long excluded from the industry.
Legalization’s Role In Social Transformation
Throughout his career, Fab 5 Freddy has witnessed firsthand the evolution of public attitudes toward cannabis. Reflecting on these changes, he acknowledges the lingering stigma and calls for continued transformation, especially for communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs.
His 2019 film, “Grass Is Greener” looked at the toll cannabis prosecution had on Black and Brown communities, including loss of housing, custody challenges and targeted arrests. “Legalization efforts since have begun righting those wrongs,” he said.
Read Also: Top 5 Cannabis Legalization Missteps In Recent U.S. History: A Selection
Turning to Florida, Fab 5 Freddy is optimistic about Amendment 3 on the November ballot. He believes regulated adult-use cannabis could significantly improve public safety by discouraging illicit sales, allowing law enforcement to focus on violent crimes and opening economic opportunities. He says he hopes the Florida legislation will foster fair participation in its burgeoning cannabis industry.
Curaleaf And B NOBLE’s Social Equity Mission
Kate Smith, Curaleaf’s SVP for the Southeast, underscores her company’s alignment with B NOBLE’s goals and its long-standing commitment to social equity. Since 2021, Curaleaf and Fab 5 Freddy have launched the B NOBLE brand in nine states, with Florida serving as a key market. Smith said this partnership reflects Curaleaf’s broader goals of supporting diversity and social equity in cannabis through its “Rooted in Good” corporate social responsibility program. “We’re prepared to expand our indoor cultivation capacity and expand our retail footprint significantly in preparation for adult-use in Florida and B NOBLE is an important part of that,” Smith told Benzinga.
Smith also explained that every sale of B NOBLE products in Florida contributes 10% of proceeds to Greenbook Academy, supporting education initiatives that offer individuals from diverse backgrounds entry points into the cannabis industry. This approach, she said, is a shared vision between B NOBLE and Curaleaf to drive economic opportunity and inclusion in cannabis.
Cannabis Industry As A Tool For Social Justice
For Fab 5 Freddy, legalization is not only about providing high-quality cannabis products but also about using the industry to address longstanding injustices. He points to the thousands whose lives have been damaged by unfair laws and the importance of giving marginalized communities a chance. “Our brand allows people to reclaim what was taken from them.”
With legalization on the horizon in Florida, the groundwork laid by Curaleaf, B NOBLE and Greenbook Academy may soon open new pathways for a more inclusive and equitable cannabis industry in the state.
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