The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) officially launched to promote the development and advancement of the cannabis industry in Indigenous communities, forming the nation’s first-ever Indigenous cannabis association. The group has historically been excluded from policy decisions and equity applications in legal states, but now they’re taking matters into their own hands. According to its stated mission, “The ICIA will create opportunities for Indigenous people in cannabis and empower communities through policy, programming and outreach initiatives.”
About The ICIA
The Indigenous Cannabis Institute (ICIA) is a non-profit organization founded by Rob Pero of the Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe. Its mission is to create opportunities for Indigenous people in cannabis and empower communities through policy, programming and outreach initiatives.
The organization was born out of a 2016 initiative to create more opportunities for Indigenous community members, particularly in the cannabis industry. According to a press release, “ICIA will help tribal communities and Indigenous entrepreneurs navigate the cannabis industry, preserve Tribal sovereignty, further economic opportunities, and bring their unique perspectives into the national conversations around policy, sustainability, and equity.”
Pero believes that, “as stewards of environmental responsibility and with deep histories in agricultural expertise, Tribal governments and Indigenous people are uniquely positioned to add value to the cannabis industry.”
Involving indigenous people could help reduce the environmental impact of the industry while also improving equity. The cannabis industry is already being criticized for being unregulated and unsustainable. Native Americans have a long history of living sustainably with the land, so their involvement could help create a more sustainable industry.
The ICIA’s Goals
Native American tribes are a powerful force in the United States, and their voices are becoming louder as they continue to fight for equal rights and recognition.
But while tribes can be heard more often than ever before, they still face many challenges. They struggle to preserve their culture and traditions while also adapting to the modern world. And many still lack access to basic services like healthcare and education.
ICIA’s goals are to provide Indigenous communities with economic development and strategic analysis by building data and information on Tribes in cannabis, as well as providing resources for Tribal governments and Indigenous people to design and advocate for equitable cannabis policies. The organization also aims to help members of ICIA navigate the complex landscape of Tribal, state, and federal policy.
The Indigenous Cannabis Institute of America (ICIA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving community well-being by getting members actively involved in politics and creating new opportunities for economic growth. ICIA aims to help Native Americans preserve their heritage while also helping them become leaders in agriculture, retail, research, and manufacturing industries around the country. By showing US politicians that indigenous voices matter, ICIA hopes to bring about real change for Native Americans across the country.
We love what the ICIA and Pero are doing, and we’re excited to see the industry continue to grow. We believe that indigenous people deserve to have a role in the cannabis industry across the nation, and we’re proud to support these efforts.
The cannabis industry is a vital part of our nation, and it’s important that Indigenous people have a say in how it evolves. We hope that this initiative will inspire other companies to follow suit, so that we can all work together toward creating a better future for everyone!
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