Cannabis Corporate Social Responsibility

Otañez, Marty; Vergara, David A Eugenin

doi:10.4324/9780429320491-19

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Additional research is also needed to address the reasons cannabis companies choose to focus on some issues and exclude others in their CSR activities (eg, increased focus on sustainability and pollution compared with drugged driving by adolescents). Otañez and Vergara 35 note that additional research using qualitative interviews as well as quantitative employee and customer surveys are needed to understand certain CSR activities by individual businesses. Ju et al 37 also state that communications staff at cannabis companies should be interviewed to determine CSR intentions and drivers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As legal cannabis sales expand to new jurisdictions, the cannabis industry may seek to use CSR to gain legitimacy, secure approval, recruit allies, access government, and influence policy as it attempts to expand its customer base and legal markets. Past research on this question is limited: searches of academic databases found only 1 book chapter 35 covering the CSR activities conducted by 2 cannabis companies operating in Colorado and 3 articles 36 , 37 , 38 addressing CSR practices by cannabis companies, all of which stated that further research was needed. Comparison of cannabis companies’ CSR practices with those of the tobacco industry is useful because we can assess commonalities and differences between the practices of a nascent industry exiting illegality and a long-established sector with a product that has historically been legal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Content Analysis of the Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of 9 Major Cannabis Companies in Canada and the US

2022

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IMPORTANCEThe cannabis industry has sought to normalize itself and expand its markets in the 21st century. One strategy used by companies to generate positive public relations is corporate social responsibility (CSR). It is critical to understand these efforts to influence the public and politicians given the risks of increased cannabis use. OBJECTIVESTo analyze cannabis industry CSR behaviors, determine their characteristics, and compare their practices with those of the tobacco industry. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This qualitative study of CSR activities conducted betweenJanuary 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021, evaluated 9 of the 10 largest publicly traded cannabis companies in the US and Canada. Data were collected from August 1 to December 31, 2021. The 10th company was excluded because it engaged in cannabis-based pharmaceutical sales but not CSR. A systematic review of corporate websites and Nexis Uni was performed, resulting in collection of 153 news articles, press releases, and Web pages. Charitable and philanthropic actions were included.Themes were identified and interpreted using modified grounded theory. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES CSR activities and spending.RESULTS Nine major cannabis companies in the US and Canada engaged in CSR activities that encouraged increased consumption and targeted marginalized communities. Companies claimed these activities would mitigate the harms of cannabis prohibition, promote diversity, expand access to medical cannabis, and support charitable causes. They developed educational programs, sustainability initiatives, and voluntary marketing codes and used strategies similar to those used by tobacco companies to recruit public interest organizations as allies.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that cannabis companies developed CSR strategies comparable to those used by the tobacco industry to influence regulation, suggesting that cannabis companies should be included when addressing commercial determinants of health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Content Analysis of the Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of 9 Major Cannabis Companies in Canada and the US

2022

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Bridging the Divide: Exploring Nonprofits’ Perceptions of Cannabis Philanthropy in the Changing Legal Landscape of the United States

Berrett,

Quintana,

Steefel

2024

Journal of Drug Issues

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Cannabis dispensaries in the U.S. aim to contribute to communities through philanthropy, but some nonprofits hesitate to accept donations. This exploratory case study in Colorado investigates nonprofits’ perceptions of cannabis philanthropy by surveying 317 organizations. Despite cannabis being illegal federally but legal at the state level, most respondents viewed cannabis philanthropy positively. Of the respondents who had negative views, many believe their negative views would shift if cannabis were federally legalized. Furthermore, the majority do not consider funds derived from cannabis sales as “tainted” or coming from a morally questionable source. The findings shed light on the complexity of how cannabis philanthropy is perceived, informing how nonprofits can adapt proactively to evolving cannabis philanthropy dynamics, particularly considering potential shifts in federal law. Additionally, the study reveals a favorable environment for the cannabis industry to engage in philanthropy and partnerships with nonprofits, and the potential positive impacts of such activities.

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Cannabis Corporate Social Responsibility

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Content Analysis of the Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of 9 Major Cannabis Companies in Canada and the US

Content Analysis of the Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of 9 Major Cannabis Companies in Canada and the US

Bridging the Divide: Exploring Nonprofits’ Perceptions of Cannabis Philanthropy in the Changing Legal Landscape of the United States

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