High Priority

Sysamone Phaphon and Eunice Kim: Breaking Down Cannabis and the Stigmas That Surround It

Episode Summary

Early in the month of November, voters in Maryland and Missouri made a major statement by legalizing the recreational use of cannabis. While it is always great to see voters and lawmakers make an effort to change the way cannabis is perceived on the books, there are still a few barriers that stand between eligible consumers and the various benefits provided by the plant. Negative stereotypes, cultural perceptions and the impact of the War on Drugs have placed a negative stigma around the plant in many communities of color. Fortunately, there are innovative figures within the cannabis industry that are working to tear down this negative stigma one day at a time. In this week's episode, Sysamone Phaphon, Founder of KhuenPhu and Eunice Kim, Founder of HiVi, talk about their personal relationships with the plant, negative perceptions of cannabis within AAPI communities and their Modern Cannabis campaign. Kim and Phaphon also emphasize the importance of conscious consumption while sharing strategies to create a more inclusive cannabis community among AAPI consumers.