Illinois legalized cannabis in 2020 (partially due to his organization’s advocacy). What does it owe the people harmed by the war on drugs, though?

Richard Wallace, founder and executive director of Equity and Transformation (EAT), joins Ernest Crim III for a conversation about cannabis legalization, guaranteed income, and the organizing required to turn demands for justice into legislation.

Richard shares his experiences with incarceration and sobriety, how he became an organizer, and why people directly affected by a problem must help shape its solutions.

We discuss:
• The Chicago Future Fund pilot, which provided formerly incarcerated participants with $500 monthly for 12 months.
• Why cannabis legalization must include repair for communities harmed by criminalization.
• Employment barriers facing people returning from incarceration.
• Building solidarity between Black and Latino workers.
• Why political accountability continues after Election Day.
• EAT’s push for direct cash assistance through HB5815.

ILLINOIS CALL TO ACTION:
Contact your state representative and state senator before lawmakers return November 17. Ask them to support and advance HB5815, which proposes an Illinois Freedom Program providing direct payments to eligible people disproportionately impacted by historical cannabis enforcement.

You can do that here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b62f98ad44314d18ade2545833aa498a/

This is proposed legislation, not an announcement that payments are available.

Learn more, join EAT, or support the organizing: https://www.eatchicago.org/

Subscribe to Crim’s Class Podcast for conversations connecting Black history, education, and the work of building more equitable communities.

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