Minority cannabis group asks Cincinnati for partnership to educate youth on changing cannabis risks
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Summary
The Cincinnati Minority Cannabis Group described community education events, distribution of lock boxes and surveys to reach youth and families, and warned that state-level changes to cannabis law could undo equity funding they hoped would support minority-run programs.
Members of the Cincinnati Minority Cannabis Group asked the Healthy Neighborhoods Committee for city partnership to expand community education aimed at youth and families about the changing risks of cannabis use.
Rashida Pearson, founder and president of the group, said the nonprofit organizes panel discussions that pair medical providers, researchers, mental‑health professionals and people with lived experience to explain health risks, prevention and community interventions. “Through the promotion of health education, these events will align with our mission to ensure all 52 neighborhoods thrive in the city of Cincinnati,” Pearson said.
The group uses a harm‑reduction approach and seeks measurable results. Its typical event planning timeline is four to six weeks; the group said its goals include reaching about 100 attendees per event and distributing 100 cannabis lock boxes for secure storage of edibles and other products. Presenters said they have already held two community discussions with local sponsors and that they gather pre‑ and post‑event survey data to track changes in attendees’ knowledge and attitudes.
Joshua Hart, the group’s community‑engagement lead, described personal experience and the need for safe spaces where youth can talk honestly about use. Vice President Stefan Pryor and other panelists warned that modern cannabis products are far more potent than varieties used a decade or more ago and that concentrates and vaping create additional risks.
Pearson raised state policy concerns about Senate Bill 56, asserting that proposed changes would remove social‑equity provisions and redirect sales tax revenues away from community programs. “Senate Bill 56 is gonna be devastating to the community,” she said, adding that removing equity provisions would limit funding routes for minority entrepreneurs and community programs the group hopes to partner with.
Committee members said they would explore including the group’s topic on a future joint meeting with Cincinnati Public Schools to discuss vaping and youth prevention. The presentation included contact information and a phone number for the group: (513) 227‑0164.