Canadian cannabis retailer Superette announced its pledge to join the Floret Coalition, an initiative to support and fund BIPOC enterprises within the cannabis industry. The Floret Coalition is an anti-racist collective of small businesses, started by Broccoli Magazine and governed by a Board of Directors. “Shout out to Broccoli Magazine for creating a thoughtful way for small businesses to give back to communities directly impacted by systemic racism in the weed industry,” read the post announcing their participation on Instagram. 

First Nations, Black people, and others of colour continue to face racism, income disparity, and incarceration. BIPOC communities in Canada need just as much aid as those in the United States.

KASSIa GRAHAM, CANNACLUSIVE

Superette has been a standout in the Ontario retail scene, both for their retail experience and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Last year Superette announced they would be collecting cannabis packaging for recycling, as well as donating time and goods to the Ottawa Food Bank. While on-site collections were forced to pause due to COVID19, they will resume shortly with new safety measures. This year, Superette has added Broccoli Magazine’s Floret Coalition to its growing CSR portfolio. 

The Floret Coalition’s mission is to raise funds and awareness for organizations that prioritize the needs of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. Each month, the ‘giving circle’ style philanthropic project will work to support and fund equity-oriented actions via monthly donations and social campaigns. “Giving back is an act of gratitude,” says Kassia Graham of Cannaclusive, one of three Board Members governing the Floret Coalition. “Helping organizations and communities in need should be at the top of everyone’s list.”

We’re sharing the wealth of cannabis with organizations that aid communities impacted by the war on drugs without the red tape.

Kassia Graham, Cannaclusive

“Broccoli magazine’s Floret Coalition answers the call of community organizations – many that are overlooked due to size and lack of media attention – in need, and an industry that wants to help but isn’t always sure how,” says Graham. The Floret Coalition is a way for small businesses to support BIPOC communities in the cannabis space, helping level the playing field and make reparations for the war on drugs and prohibition. “We’re sharing the wealth of cannabis with organizations that aid communities impacted by the war on drugs without the red tape. Give thanks, give back, and do it now. It’s that simple.”

Tiny but mighty, the Floret Coalition allows small businesses to make a bigger impact together than they would alone. “There is strength in numbers. Small brands want to help but don’t necessarily have the time and/or resources to know where to start,” explains Paige Greene, Marketing Director for Superette. “Joining the Floret Coalition as a Canadian brand helps facilitate these important conversations. I’ve found the cannabis community is fairly borderless, we come together and make things happen.”

Prohibition might have looked a little different on this side of the border compared to our US counterparts but Canadian cannabis still has their own reparations to make. “It’s incredibly important for Canadian cannabis companies to join the Floret Coalition,” shares Graham. “First Nations, Black people, and others of colour continue to face racism, income disparity, and incarceration. BIPOC communities in Canada need just as much aid as those in the United States.”