Advocates Speak Out Against Pot Bill Proposal

Advocates for greater diversity in the legal cannabis industry are speaking out against a proposal to revamp the state's voter-approved recreational marijuana law.

In a statement Tuesday, the group Equitable Opportunities NOW! said it was "profoundly troubled'' by the House version of the bill, which is scheduled for debate on Wednesday. The group says the bill weakens language designed to increase opportunities for blacks and other minorities to own marijuana-related businesses or work for them.

Advocates say communities that have experienced disproportionately high rates of arrests and convictions for marijuana-related offenses should be afforded chances to participate in the increasingly lucrative industry.

Democratic Rep. Mark Cusack, the House chair of the Legislature's Marijuana Policy Committee, did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the concerns raised about diversity.