Following the recent announcement from the DEA, MCBA put out the following statement: For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 30, 2024  Contact: Tahir Johnson at tahir@minoritycannabis.org Contact: Frederika Easley at frederika@minoritycannabis.org  Minority Cannabis Business Association Commends DEA’s Move to Reschedule Cannabis to Schedule III  In response to the reported rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minority Cannabis Business Association issues the following statement:  “The Minority Cannabis Business Association comm ..read more

This blog was originally posted to Honeysuckle Magazine‘s website: The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) is one of the first organizations created specifically to progress the cannabis industry by increasing diversity. The MCBA’s mission is to create equal access and economic empowerment for cannabis businesses, their patients, and the communities most affected by the War on Drugs. Over the last few months, we welcome some new members to our 15 member board of directors. Who Are The Minority Cannabis Business Association’s New For 2024 Board Members? As the premier busine ..read more

MCBA Board Elections: Lead the Charge for an Equitable Cannabis Industry A Legacy of Leadership The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) has long been the leading policy voice for an equitable cannabis industry. Since our inception, we’ve advocated for inclusive policies and economic empowerment, not just as an organization but through the influence of our exceptional board members.  Many of our past board members have moved on to run successful companies and emerge as pillars in the cannabis community.  This fall, you have the opportunity to join their ranks as we hold elec ..read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  September 27, 2023    MCBA Celebrates Historic Markup Hearing for the SAFE Banking Act in Senate Banking Committee, Urges Swift Passage   WASHINGTON D.C. –  The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs held a successful markup hearing for the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act today where it was passed out of committee with a vote of 14-9.  Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) President Kaliko Castille was in attendance to show support for the legislation after MCBA was successful in getting language added ..read more

The following blog was written by Mike Lomuto, who has been doing all of the organizing behind the scenes for our upcoming Equity Workshop Tour. In this blog he explains more about how this event series came together and how we selected the cities we’ll be coming to next month:  In just a couple of weeks and throughout the month of October,  MCBA will be rolling out 10 awesome events comprising the Fall 2023 edition of the Equity Workshop Tour. Between now and then, we’re finalizing all the planning, troubleshooting, and brainstorms that began in the Spring, and that will evolve int ..read more

The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) is thrilled to announce our upcoming Equity Workshop Tour (EWT), designed to empower social equity applicants and operators in the Cannabis industry. We’re setting out to visit 10 cities this October, each filled with an agenda aimed at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cannabis sector. About the Equity Workshop Tour (EWT) The EWT is more than just a series of events; it’s a movement bringing together business, advocacy, and community leaders committed to building an equitable Cannabis industry. With the collective aim of streng ..read more

Major Cannabis Reform & Industry Non-Profits: Rescheduling Won’t Achieve Biden Administration’s Campaign Promise or Social Justice Goals Group says rescheduling is simply a rebranding of prohibition, not the end of it. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: August 31, 2023 Contact: Kaliko Castille, Board President kaliko@minoritycannabis.org WASHINGTON, D.C. –  In response to reporting this week that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is recommending to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that cannabis be reclassified under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) from Schedule I ..read more

  Minority Cannabis Business Association Calls on Biden Administration to Truly Decriminalize Cannabis by Descheduling Group says re-scheduling is simply a rebranding of prohibition, not the end of it. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 8/30/23 Contact: Kaliko Castille, Board President kaliko@minoritycannabis.org   WASHINGTON, D.C. –  In response to reporting today that Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) is recommending that cannabis be reclassified by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as a Schedule III drug, Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) is urging the Biden adm ..read more

Inclusion of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) has been a major priority for MCBA over the last several years WASHINGTON D.C. – The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) welcomes the progress made in today’s Senate Banking Committee hearing, “Examining Cannabis Banking Challenges of Small Businesses and Workers.” As an organization dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion in the cannabis industry, we consider this hearing a significant stride forward, particularly for minority cannabis operators. The hearing demonstrated a clear recognition of the hurdles minority ..read more

Washington D.C. – The Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) applauds Chairman Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ranking Member Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and the members of the Senate Banking Committee as they prepare to hold a hearing titled “Examining Cannabis Banking Challenges of Small Businesses and Workers” to discuss the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act and the safeguards for banks serving lawful marijuana-related businesses.  After passing the House seven times, MCBA is pleased to see this critical piece of legislation get scheduled for a hearing and begin to be ..read more