Showing Up with Integrity: Talking About Bad Actors Without Painting Whole Communities
In every maturing industry, there comes a moment when the conversation turns uncomfortable—when we have to talk honestly about bad actors, corruption, and organized crime. In Washington’s cannabis sector, those conversations are happening now. And too often, they’re happening in ways that unintentionally cross into stereotyping, particularly when people refer broadly to “the Chinese” or “the cartel.”
At The Cannabis Alliance, we believe integrity doesn’t just mean following the rules; it means how we talk about the rules, about each other, and about the systems we’re working to improve.
Acknowledge the Problem, Name It Accurately
Yes, illicit activity and organized networks exist. They harm workers, undercut legitimate businesses, and erode public trust. But conflating “Chinese nationals” with “organized crime” or using blanket labels like “the cartel” collapses complex realities into harmful caricatures.
If we mean unlicensed operations, transnational criminal networks, or labor trafficking, we should use those words. Precision is not political correctness—it is moral clarity. Our language reflects whether we are serious about addressing root causes or simply assigning blame.
Instead, we can be specific:
Say what we mean. If we’re talking about unlicensed operators, labor exploitation, or transnational criminal networks, we should use those terms.
Avoid shortcuts. “Chinese-owned,” “Hispanic,” or “cartel-linked” are not policy categories—they’re stereotypes that blur the lines between individuals, communities, and criminal activity.
Precision builds credibility. It allows us to address enforcement gaps and policy failures without demeaning entire populations.
Integrity in Advocacy
Showing up with integrity means grounding our advocacy in facts and humanity. It’s possible to demand accountability and transparency from regulators and businesses alike while refusing to engage in coded language or fear-based narratives.
As leaders and advocates, we can:
Ask where our information comes from.
Center the conversation on systems, not ethnicity.
Name exploitation and corruption when it happens—without defaulting to xenophobic frames.
Why It Matters
How we speak about others defines the moral compass of this movement. Our words set the tone for how policymakers, law enforcement, and the public view this industry. If we allow bias to shape our language, we risk building the same inequities we’re fighting to dismantle.
Cannabis reform began as a movement for justice and truth. Let’s keep it that way; by showing up to every conversation with precision, respect, and integrity.