My friends Dominique Dabs and Ahnya Smith, co-creators of the Colored Cannabis Collective, or CCC, have made an inclusive organization dedicated to removing the stigma surrounding cannabis, through community service and visual representation. Their goals align with my goals, to normalize cannabis, and together we all can make the changes the world needs to see.
The CCC is a friend to all who are interested in becoming educated and informed about cannabis and the cannabis industry. If you want to be involved follow their Instagram for updates on neighborhood cleanups and community events. I had the opportunity to speak with co-creator, Dominique Dabs, during the first CCC meeting:
Q: What is your mission?
A: Our ultimate goal is to provide visible and impactful community service, plus opportunity to creatives in the increasingly popular cannabis media and marketing industry. We pride ourselves on being advocates for people of color, queer people, and women – but mainly everyone that is willing to enjoy or learn about cannabis with and from us.
Q: What are your goals for the upcoming year?
A: The goal for 2019 is legitimacy and expansion. We have so many plans but don’t want to spill the beans so people don’t get too ahead of themselves.
Q: How can one be involved / participate in CCC?
A: Follow us on Instagram to stay involved. We will be launching our website soon, and all information will be readily availble there.
The first CCC meeting occurred in September, and was used as a tool to gauge interest in such an organization. Hosted at the Dynasty Room in Seattle’s International District, the turnout was greater than anyone could have imagined. Word about the CCC’s first meeting spread through social networks and word of mouth; there were people of all diverse backgrounds in attendance.
Cannabis has the strength to unify and empower those that have been oppressed. We shared stories and introduced ourselves to new and familiar faces. Although I had met so many new people that day, I felt right at home.
Many of us had stories to share where we were treated unfairly in the cannabis industry, for example, I was often the victim of lewd comments and sexual harassment when I worked as a budtender at a SoDo dispensary, by customers and sometimes even by fellow coworkers. Minorities such as women, people of color, and LGBQT members have similar experiences, if not worse than mine. The CCC strives to work together to make changes to benefit the wellbeing of industry workers, to increase visual representation of people of color in cannabis, and to make positive changes for the years to come through normalization.
F o l l o w U s:
@merrrica
@dominiquedabs
@ahnyasmokes15
@coloredcannabiscollective
P h o t o s B y:
@ro3ski