It Takes a Village: Reflections on ACR’s First 2024 Sesh
Contributer: Alan Ao - Asian Cannabis Roundtable VP/Secretary
I logged into Zoom to start the meeting, wondering anxiously how well this event would be attended. I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw familiar names entering the waiting room, and then equally overjoyed to see others I didn’t recognize.
As a continuation of the highest of holidays in our industry, 4:20PM arrived and we went live with well over 60 people hopping in and out of our first Sesh. We didn’t prompt anybody to turn their cameras on, but the majority of participants did and it was a moment to revel in and truly celebrate diversity through commonality.
A plethora of AANHPI leaders representing all walks of life across the US, Canada, and even the United Kingdom came to participate: tech folks, lawyers, plant-touching license holders, scientists, clinicians, and various other entrepreneurs. From the moment participants logged on, there was a palpable sense of unity and shared purpose. Despite the physical distance separating us, this virtual platform facilitated meaningful connections and fostered a sense of belonging akin to being in a bustling village square.
In the background, the chat was constantly ongoing with vital connections being made and even discoveries of geographical neighbors in The Golden State. On the front end, our fearless Executive Director Weiwei Fellman described ACR’s 4 pillars of action for the year:
Networking and Community Building
Education and Advocacy
Empowerment and Representation
Partnerships and Collaborations
ACR’s goal for this first session was to exemplify the power of community and collaboration and plant seeds of interest for AANHPI leaders to actively see that we are united by more than profession or industry, but a common sense of cultural awareness. Understanding the cultural values of Asian communities and harsh conservative stigmas against cannabis that continue lingering in older generations is key to making progressive steps forward.
My own mother-in-law; for example, continues to associate my cannabis dispensary with an opium den because of misinformed history and insane stubbornness that I have yet to personally conquer. On the flip side, as a first-generation Asian American, my parents also understood that in order to succeed in life, it truly takes a village. A constant support network that openly communicates, commiserates, and ultimately celebrates together.
If you’ve worked in the space for more than a year, you’d probably recognize that people outside of the cannabis industry cannot begin to fathom the hurdles, mountains, and general bull-shittery that we endure on a daily basis. Yet our gathering together underscores the idea that when individuals come together with a common purpose and a willingness to help one another, incredible things can and will be achieved.
The Sesh also served as a reminder that no one needs to be alone in their cannabis journey and there’s a security net of support ready to uplift and empower each other. One of the most inspiring aspects of the session was witnessing the spirit of reciprocity and generosity among participants. People freely offered their stories, insights, expertise, and most importantly… struggles that they’ve encountered working in this relentless industry before we ultimately ran out of time.
Reflecting on the experience, it became evident that "It takes a village" is not just a saying; it is a timeless truth reminding us of the profound strength and resilience found in unity and collective action. The Asian Cannabis Roundtable has a renewed mission to start building a tribe and filling this village with the power of numbers.
We hope you’ll join us for the ride.
