Black Founders in Cannabis and Psychedelics Are Changing How We Think About Drugs

As we think about Juneteenth, a holiday that celebrates the emancipation of African-American slaves on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, we recognize and celebrate not only the crumbling of one of the most damaging legal structures of American history, but also the Black founders.

Oludare Odumosu, who self-identifies as “Nigerian by birth, American by choice,” says the path to becoming a cannabis founder was not started as an executive but as a patient.

“At a friend’s suggestion, I tried cannabis as a last resort.

Similarly, Douglas K.

This is what most American’s, and the world, have come to believe about cannabis and psychedelics—a sentiment stoked on a national scale by Richard Nixon in the 1960s.

With that history of stigma, advocates have had to help the public reimagine what cannabis and psychedelics are and their uses.

Growing up in Nigeria, he was exposed to all the same propaganda conditioning people to view cannabis as a street drug, which “education- and career-minded people” don’t use.

“I see my role as first and foremost as being achieving the best possible outcomes for all our stakeholders.

Understanding your “why” requires homework, says Dr.

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