America's Next Generation Of Legal Marijuana: New State Laws Focus On Racial Equity

It's been almost a decade since Washington and Colorado became the first states in America to legalize recreational marijuana. Now a new generation of states are wrestling with how to do it with a focus on racial equity that was missing from early legalization efforts.

WBEZ reporter Mariah Woelfel reports from Chicago on why legalization plans in Illinois are still leaving Black businesses behind.

VPM reporters Ben Paviour and Whittney Evans explain how lawmakers in Virginia are designing new marijuana legislation with equity in mind.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

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This episode was produced by Brent Baughman, Lee Hale and Brianna Scott. It was edited by Sami Yenigun with help from Acacia Squires, Joe Hernandez and Wynne Davis. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.