California's cannabis reparations

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.3 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 8 December 2022

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In California, cannabis is legal for recreational use and it’s created a multi-billion dollar industry. But who’s been reaping the rewards? For decades people from Black and Latino communities have been disproportionately arrested and imprisoned on cannabis drugs charges – and yet few appeared to benefit from the legal cannabis boom. So to make amends, California has been pioneering a policy to give those targeted in the war on drugs, a chance to share in the new cannabis industry. But is it working? Sharon Hemans has been to the city of Oakland to find out. Photo: Local entrepreneur Julian Nelson at this cannabis delivery store in Oakland. Presenter: Sharon Hemans Producer: Alex Last Sound mix by Neil Churchill Series editor: Penny Murphy Production Coordinator: Iona Hammond

Transcript

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0:00.0	So these are my promo items right here.
0:04.4	So they got the key here.
0:05.4	Right there, the $35.8.
0:07.4	You buy one of those.
0:08.4	Larry, order a gelato.
0:10.2	It's mid-morning and already busy in Blancson Mall, a popular store in East Oakland in California.
0:18.4	This is a store with a difference.
0:20.4	They only sell cannabis.
0:21.7	I always start by asking people if they're looking for gummies, flowers, because it can be
0:27.2	a little overwhelming with all the stuff that we have.
0:29.8	Larry is one of the sales assistants here.
0:32.8	She's serving customers behind a gleaming glass counter.
0:35.8	So instead of like saying, do you like Sativa Indika Hi-Ritz?
0:39.4	More like, how are you looking to feel?
0:41.2	Do you want to be giggly?
0:42.2	Do you want to be relaxed?
0:43.2	Do you want to be sedated?
0:44.2	Do you want to be uplifted in social?
0:46.8	Blancs and more is a large and modern store.
0:49.7	On the outside is painted bright orange and white, with an illuminated green pharmacy
0:54.5	cross in the window.
0:56.2	They sell everything from cannabis candy, cannabis drinks and packaged pre-rolled joints.
	...

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