The investigators identified nine of the 10 largest publicly traded cannabis companies in the US and Canada and examined the CSR activities that they conducted between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021. The investigators also conducted a systematic review of corporate websites and Nexis Uni articles that identified 153 news stories, press releases, and web pages that communicated about cannabis companies' charitable and philanthropic activities.
The investigators observed that Green Thumb Industries and Cresco Labs set up"business incubators" and licensing assistance programs targeted toward members of racial and ethnic minority populations and communities most affected by cannabis prohibition. Canopy Growth Corporation supported research into whether medical cannabis could alleviate sleep disorders or treat mental health conditions.
"A similarity to the tobacco industry is that they would provide funding or assistance to nonprofit groups that are not necessarily tied to cannabis or tobacco," said Wakefield. For example, the investigators noted that cannabis companies contributed funding forMoreover, the investigators observed"similarities in terms of focus and orientation toward special interest populations," said Wakefield.