By Nancy Whiteman
There is no shortage of differing opinions in our country today. But one issue most people agree on is that we are facing unprecedented levels of polarization. What’s more, our legislative outcomes often don’t mirror the polls in terms of what Americans might actually want. Simultaneously, we are also seeing aggressive infringements on voting rights, potentially marginalizing the voices of many voters across the spectrum. Since the beginning of 2021, 18 states have passed 34 restrictive voting laws, including new or tougher voter ID laws, mail-in voting restrictions, and new barriers to voter registration. The disconnect between the will of the people and voter turnout is not coincidental.
No matter where you land on a given issue, we have passed the point where we can sit idly by. We cannot assume that if we personally vote, we have done our duty. We have to act beyond our own households to ensure that voices on both sides of an issue are heard and counted. With Wana being a long-time member of the cannabis community and a brand that spans 15 states, I also feel that we have a unique opportunity as the cannabis community to make a difference by reaching those voters who may often be overlooked or non-participatory. The cannabis community is strong and close-knit, providing us with not only a potentially loud voice but also a group of individuals who are likely to hear one another when we ask, “Have you voted?”
My ask is that if you are a company like Wana, build partnerships to ensure voter access. There are many out there. We were honored to create a first-of-its-kind partnership with the League of Women Voters and our project, VOTE411.org/wana, to educate voters on election issues and drive registration for the midterms.
The Wana Brands Foundation is sponsoring VOTE411 for the 2022 election cycle to offer a one-stop-shop link for anyone to check their registration, see what’s on their local ballot, and learn about their voting options. We are sharing this link at dispensaries and at the voter registration drives we are hosting with the League.
With a century of election experience, the League empowers voters with trusted, nonpartisan information in every election. With chapters in every state, the League is positioned to fight voter suppression through its hard-working volunteer advocates, growing national staff, and strategic partner alliances.
But whether you’re a multi-state cannabis brand or a single, stand-alone dispensary, or even a lone consumer, I believe that as a part of the cannabis ecosystem, you have a historic opportunity to make a change. To take a stand. And not for Democrats or Republicans or preconceived agendas, but to take a stand for the basic American right that we should all have to vote.
If you are an individual who cares about voter suppression and democracy, make a commitment. Every time you light a joint or eat a gummy, make sure you are asking those around you if they are registered to vote and if not, give them the link to VOTE411.org/wana. It’s that simple. Asking a friend can take less than ten seconds of your time.
If you’re still not convinced, let’s selfishly look at cannabis legalization as another prime example of why it’s important that every eligible citizen is ensured their right to vote. Ninety-two percent of American adults are in favor of legalizing marijuana use at some level, yet it remains illegal at the federal level.
While I’m not sure how to break through the current vitriol that plagues our country, I am certain that access to free and fair elections is vital for us to function as a democracy and for voters to be heard on key issues, including cannabis regulation.
Younger voters, in particular, face challenges participating in elections, and their voting rates–and knowledge of voting rights–lag significantly behind other demographics. Going into the 2020 election, 34% of people ages 18-29 didn’t know if their state offered online voter registration. Given that this demographic is more likely to move frequently, it is imperative they check the address registered in the system for mail-in ballots. This is critically important for the upcoming midterm elections, where voter turnout is challenging overall and especially challenging with younger voters. And guess what’s popular with younger voters? Cannabis. Cannabis consumers are largely composed of younger voters in the Millennial and Gen Z groups. Millennials (ages 26-41) accounted for nearly 50% of cannabis sales in 2021, while Gen Z (ages 21-25) came in at 14%.
In-person conversations have the largest impact in terms of registering and educating voters, a far more significant impact than any other efforts, including digital outreach. Reaching voters in-person at a business they trust will allow our voter registration drives to have a maximum impact on the electorate.
I believe the cannabis community and the League can make a difference in this election.
Voting is one of the most powerful tools that we have as Americans. Anyone who has the right to vote should be able to perform their civic duty. Can the cannabis community be part of the solution? I believe the answer is a resounding “yes.”
Nancy Whiteman is the CEO and Co-Founder of cannabis-infused products manufacturer Wana Brands and CEO and Founder of the Wana Brands Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing life essentials to communities.
