Waiting to Inhale: Cannabis Legalization and the Fight for Racial Justice

“A compelling examination of the intersection of racial justice and cannabis policy. The authors confront the undeniable racial disparities in cannabis policy and enforcement, offering a powerful critique of the War on Drugs and the social, economic and racial implications of the budding cannabis industry…A must-read…Akwasi Owusu-Bempah and Tahira Rehmatullah make a strong case for ending the War on Drugs and pursuing a path towards social equity via cannabis legalization. Through unflinching honesty and searing insight, Waiting to Inhale serves as both a powerful indictment of past injustices and a hopeful vision for a more equitable future. This essential read for anyone interested in understanding the roots of this national crisis and the potential for transformative change brings to light critical aspects of the conversation surrounding racial justice and cannabis policy.”—Forbes “Offers a powerful vision for redemptive policy measures that might offer new ways of securing racial and social justice redress.”—Centre for Crime and Justice Studies “Illuminating the stories of those on the frontlines of the war on drugs, this shows how Black and other under-represented groups have born the brunt of harsh cannabis laws and sets out how communities can be rebuilt, along with a new era of justice.”—The Bookseller“An impressively well researched, documented, written, organized, and ground-breaking study that is a welcome and seminal contribution to our on-going national discussion on the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes…Unreservedly recommended.”—Midwest Book Review “Waiting to Inhale presents a serious topic in a surprisingly entertaining format. The two authors ping-pong anecdotes with each other, frequently handing the paddle to the drug war’s victims and opponents…Waiting to Inhale’s call for social justice extends beyond ending the ill-conceived War on Drugs, whose major accomplishment was to fill prisons and break communities, to repair the damage done.”—Milwaukee Shepherd Express