‘Social equity applicants’ say Illinois’ cannabis industry is still biased

By Meha Ahmad, Stephanie Kim, Lynnea Domienik
reset social equity applicants cannabis
"Social equity license" applicants Alicia Nasbury Moore and JR Fleming join Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons to talk about their experiences trying to gain access into Illinois' cannabis industry. Isabelle Earl / Reset
reset social equity applicants cannabis
"Social equity license" applicants Alicia Nasbury Moore and JR Fleming join Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons to talk about their experiences trying to gain access into Illinois' cannabis industry. Isabelle Earl / Reset

‘Social equity applicants’ say Illinois’ cannabis industry is still biased

By Meha Ahmad, Stephanie Kim, Lynnea Domienik
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When the push for legalizing recreational cannabis in Illinois was moving forward, people like Alicia Nesbary-Moore and Willie J.R. Fleming — Black entrepreneurs who wanted to get into the cannabis business — were sold promises of social equity being an industry priority. Now, they say, the promises were not worth the paper they were written on.

Reset gets a first-hand account of how the promises of social equity in the state’s cannabis industry have played out for small business owners.

GUESTS: Alicia Nesbary-Moore, co-owner and chief veggie officer at Herban ProduceWillie J.R. Fleming, social equity applicant, founder of Hemp for Hoods