The definition of  “Advocacy can generally be defined as the act of publicly supporting or promoting a particular cause or point of view. In a legal context, advocacy often involves active efforts to influence decisions, policies, or actions made by individuals, organizations, or governments in order to bring about desired changes or address specific issues. Advocacy can take various forms, such as lobbying, public awareness campaigns, public speaking, or engaging in legal proceedings.” With the stipulation that the NHCC will not endorse candidates or political parties. 

As NHCC  actively supports passage of Safe Banking S1323 along with a long term legislative strategy, the terminology for advocacy will be in the context of supporting passage of S1323 as defined in the NHCC bylaws, Section 2.1

The NHCC advocacy purpose of the Corporation, as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, are exclusively to promote social welfare within the meaning of section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, “Section 501(c)(4)”), including to further the common good and general welfare of the people of the United States Hispanic community by providing education services and activities on the health, wellness and economic aspects of cannabis.

Prioritizing Latino Communities in Cannabis Social Equity Programs

1.  Adequately Fund and Empower Equity Commissions

While many jurisdictions have taken the wise step of establishing “equity commissions” to oversee the implementation of cannabis licensing programs, these commissions are often underfunded and do not have policy-making authority.  Programs should have paid employees and commission members to ensure the best staffers. They should also be empowered to set equity policies and hold licensees who have made equity commitments accountable through oversight and enforcement.

2.  Hire Hispanic Regulators

No one is better positioned to provide guidance on how proposed regulations might benefit or harm a historically marginalized community than members of that community. If we want the cannabis industry to reflect the diversity of the population its serves, it must begin with regulators.

3.  Produce Bilingual Regulations and Educational Materials

With over 41 million native Spanish speakers, the United States is the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. Social equity programs must ensure these individuals have the same access to educational resources and regulations in their native language.

4.  Streamline Expungement and Record Sealing Processes

States often include expungement and record sealing processes for cannabis offenses as part of legalization. We support the expungement of those individuals who have been supporting the industry, and whose shoulders we stand on, yet cannot get a job in the industry due to previous convictions that are no longer against the law. States must simplify the process and fund assistance to ensure affected individuals do not live with criminal records longer than necessary.

5.  Invest in Business Equity

Many potential social equity businesses lack adequate funding to carry them through the expensive early phase of operations. Whether through reduced application fees, mentorship opportunities with successful licensees, or low-interest loans, investment directly into equity businesses is one of the best ways to support their success.