Khadijah Tribble Explores the Intersection of Industry, Community and Government

Khadijah Tribble

“I grew up in Alabama and I consider myself a true southern belle with southern sensibilities of community and compassion.  In many respects my upbringing helped shaped my character and political positions by the constant messaging of what I did not want to become.”  

Any ideals that would have you shrink parts of yourself for the facade of ‘safety’ and myth of ‘progression’ just did not make sense to me.  When I realized that my home state was not a safe space for a black queer woman, I left in search of real community and real safety. I had to learn how to create community and connection wherever I went. Today, I do that by showing compassion and consideration to those around me, with a firm belief in fairness and equity. This is the perspective I’ve had with the work I’ve done with Marijuana Matters as well as with the work I’m doing now at Curaleaf. It all now makes sense to me.

I do not know if I ever intended to be part of drug policy per se. 

I wish I had pursued business opportunities more persistently.  My undergraduate degree is focused on marketing management, and I had a tough time academically. I struggled with professors and counselors who did not believe I belonged. As a sophomore I was told that I should switch my major to something like social work. Even when I could not articulate it, I knew there was a way to develop good business practices with good business ethics, which is what they called it at the time.  I spent hours learning to argue both political and business positions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), when all I really wanted to do was take a deep dive into how trade agreements could improve business ties on the continent of Africa while building a social connection between its native people and the descendants of those stolen from the continent. I did not know about corporate social responsibility back then and there surely were not ANY companies that wanted to hire a loudmouth black girl talking about divestment in companies that supported apartheid in South Africa. 

“I did not know about corporate social responsibility back then and there surely were not ANY companies that wanted to hire a loudmouth black girl talking about divestment in companies that supported apartheid in South Africa.”

Who is bell hooks?

bell hooks is an acclaimed intellectual, feminist theorist, cultural critic, artist, and writer. hooks has authored over three dozen books and has published works that span several genres, including cultural criticism, personal memoirs, poetry collections, and children's books. Her writings cover topics of gender, race, class, spirituality, teaching, and the significance of media in contemporary culture. 

Born Gloria Jean Watkins in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, bell hooks adopted the pen name of her maternal great-grandmother, a woman known for speaking her mind. hooks received her B.A. from Stanford University, her M.A. from the University of Wisconsin and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her books include, Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism, Rock My Soul: Black People and Self-Esteem, Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom, Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics, Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope, Where We Stand: Class Matters, and We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity.

-Source: The bell hooks Institute

The idea that corporations were responsible for being good stewards and good neighbors was not a thing during my undergraduate tenure. After a few sales jobs, I started looking for work in academia and in the nonprofit space.  The advice I wish I took was from Bell Hooks, who said, “trust yourself.” It took me a long time, but I got there. If I could give a piece of advice to my former self it would be to trust yourself.  Questioning self is one thing but self-doubt is something entirely different.  It has no place for where you are headed. 

I started paying attention to how drug policies were driving poverty in communities where I lived and where I worked.  I have spent the better part of my professional life in the political world and activist spaces.  I aspired to make a difference and impact so when the chance to join the Board of Changing Perceptions, a local nonprofit out of D.C. creating entrepreneurial on ramps for business-minded individuals leaving incarceration, I jumped at the opportunity.  I am still blown away by the thousands of collateral consequences related to marijuana arrests, convictions, and incarcerations.  I often say the most dangerous gateway marijuana opened was the one to a lifetime of poverty. So here I am.  Let us be clear, I am no Drug Policy Alliance or NORML or Marijuana Policy Project for that matter.  I am just one person using every lever I must to elevate the opportunities for restorative justice in this moment. 

“I often say the most dangerous gateway marijuana opened was the one to a lifetime of poverty. So here I am... I am just one person using every lever I must to elevate the opportunities for restorative justice in this moment.” 

Khadijah Tribble. Photo Credit: Washington Blade

My most challenging moment was deciding on a public pivot to name marijuana policy and social equity specifically as my focus at Harvard.  It’s crazy to think that just a few years ago, the idea of working in the marijuana industry full time was something you whispered about and there I was on the premiere policy stage yelling Marijuana Matters to anyone who would listen. I am forever grateful for the Cheng Fellowship at the Kennedy School.  The program directors and my cohort held space for me as I figured out how to navigate the pressure of “what if I am wrong?” and the promise of, “what if I am right?” 

The truth about working in this space is that it has been difficult finding mentors and allies. It was not until this last year that I felt that sense of community. Even though I was connected, I was missing community and collaboration.  For many years, it mostly felt like competition.   

I took for granted that the potential opportunities could erase the PTSD caused by 50 years of prohibition.  There is so much trauma and it has bred an ugly distrust throughout this industry.  It is partly why, I am running on fumes now, because if someone reaches out with a desire for information or to be connected in some way, I am going to respond. There is too much at stake to shun each other for pennies or notoriety or fame.  I am also grateful for those years leading up to 2018 where no one even cared or knew that I was in the room.  I was able to learn a lot watching how people moved, what they did and how they engaged.  Like my upbringing in the south – it gave me a bird’s eye view of what I did not want to be involved in. 

I can say that Linda Greene (Anacostia Organics) is splendid, and I should give her more credit for her long game view. I appreciate the work of a Jesce Horton, Kassandra Frederique (Drug Policy Alliance) and Virgil Grant. I am excited to continue connecting with Al Harrington and his team, and learning from Stephen Hawkins and people like Dr. Patricia Frye and Jason White, our Chief Marketing Officer here at Curaleaf.  It is an exciting time. 

Khadijah Tribble (left) with Linda Greene, Owner of Anacostia Organics (right)

My proudest moment was stepping away from Marijuana Matters’ (M2) day to day operations and seeing the work continue to flourish and grow.  It was like the moment you realize that your first ever cannabis grow is ready for harvest.  You marvel at the plant and remember every new growth and set back, and then just like that, your buds are ready.  I feel good about M2 and the work the organization is embarking on.  

“I ask in many settings, if people (especially communities of color) were known as ‘drug dealers’ for selling cannabis then, and the regulated industry is profiting from selling cannabis now, what is the difference?” 

The biggest issue for me related to drug policy is the exploitation of the narratives of real people from real communities devastated by the war on drugs.  I ask in many settings, if people (especially communities of color) were known as “drug dealers” for selling cannabis then, and the regulated industry is profiting from selling cannabis now, what is the difference?  If we are leaders of the hot new industry, then it would stand to reason that those with convictions for the same activities should be given the homage and respect due any trailblazer in cannabis.  The legacy market kept the plant alive for such a long time, and now cannabis has been deemed essential in every state with medical and adult-use regulations.

There would be no legalization without “drug-dealers,” and we cannot continue to use their plight to march toward de-scheduling cannabis, and at the same time push regulated drug policies that demonize them. It does not work. It is time to change that narrative. No exaltation? No exploitation! 

Curaleaf Products

“There would be no legalization without “drug-dealers,” and we cannot continue to use their plight to march toward de-scheduling cannabis, and at the same time push regulated drug policies that demonize them.”

Being the first head of Corporate Social Responsibility at the leading cannabis multi-state operator (MSO) is the opportunity to test my hypothesis that at the intersection of industry, community and government there is an opportunity to repair harm to individuals and reinvest in communities that have been destabilized. All three stakeholders have a role to play, and I am excited about the hard work being put into the role Curaleaf will play as the leader in cannabis. 

About Khadijah Tribble, VP of Corporate Social Responsibility at Curaleaf & Founder of Marijuana Matters:

Khadijah Tribble is a highly respected expert on equity and inclusion in the cannabis industry, and has advised cannabis investors, government regulators, entrepreneurs, and businesses on policy, business development, and community impact. Prior to joining Curaleaf, Ms. Tribble founded Marijuana Matters (M2), a cannabis education and advocacy incubator, and is also the founder of the Marijuana Policy Trust (MPT), a think tank providing expertise toward building an inclusive and diverse cannabis industry. Prior to MPT she was Chief Executive of Ground Game, LLC, a consultancy focused on health technologies and was a co-founder and director of business operations for United Medical Center's Rose Clinic. Ms. Tribble holds a master's degree from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.