Minorities in cannabis, with Steven Philpott Jr.

In light of Black History Month, we feel it is important and relevant to talk about how minorities in the United States and around the world have been disproportionately affected by drug policy and the war on drugs. Part of our conversation today centers on how we can break down barriers and find ways to build cannabis companies that are minority-owned and uplift them.

Joining us for this discussion is Steven Philpott Jr., one of our science reviewers at The Cannigma and a cannabis trichome expert who is getting his master's in Plant Sciences. Steve is also one of the co-founders of the Illinois Minority Growers Association and is heavily involved in social equity and minority issues within the cannabis space.

 As part of his master’s degree, Steve is currently using electron microscopes to take super close-up pictures of trichomes, tiny protrusions on cannabis plants. Tuning in, you’ll hear more about what these trichomes are and why they’re important. Steve sheds light on his experience in the military and how losing friends to opioid use led him to become interested in cannabis. We also discuss the disparity between what is taught at medical school and what science actually shows us. 

To hear more about Steven’s research, what he hopes it will lead to, his predictions for the future of cannabis, how he is helping those most harmed by the war on drugs, and how you can help too, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

Some background into how minorities have been disproportionately affected by drug policy and the war on drugs.

• The upcoming webinar that showcases Black-owned and social equity-focused brands. 
• An introduction to Steven Philpott Jr and his involvement in social equity and minority issues within the cannabis space.
• Insight into the catalog of trichomes that Steven is currently working on. 
• What trichomes are and why they’re important.
• How Steve’s experience with the military led him to become interested in cannabis.  
• How his experience as a strength conditioning coach for athletes increased his interest in cannabis.  
• Insight into the research he is currently doing.
• The disparity between what is taught at medical school and what science actually shows us. 
• What Steve hopes his research may lead to.   
• The problems with a system driven by THC research and how Steve is doing things differently.
• The Minority Growers Association and Steve’s role in it.
• The importance of recruiting the people who were most harmed by the war on drugs. 
• What Steve predicts for the future of cannabis. 
• The connection between hemp and fungal networks and some of the other subjects that Steve is interested in.
• Hear about cannabinoid testing in the Americans for Safe Access segment with Heather Despres. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Steven Philpott Jr on LinkedIn
Illinois Minority Growers Association 
Harrington Institute  
Cleveland School of Cannabis
Heather Despres 
Americans for Safe Access
Elana Goldberg
Dr. Codi Peterson
The Cannigma