Double-Edged Cannabis Laws: How One Social Equity Dispensary Owner Is Fighting For Her Father's Freedom

In the heart of Arizona, a tale of injustice, resilience and redemption unfolds. Alicia Deals, a pioneering force in the cannabis industry and the first Black woman to operate a cannabis dispensary under Arizona's social equity program, is preparing for a critical court hearing on May 30. The hearing will decide the fate of her father, Robert Deals, who is currently serving the 12th year of his 18-year sentence for cannabis-related charges in a Yuma prison.

Alicia's story is a compelling example of the paradoxical nature of America's evolving relationship with cannabis. As her father languishes behind bars for selling the same plant, she has been legally sanctioned by the state to do so. Her dispensary, awarded to her by the state's social equity program in April 2022, operates under the popular national brand, Cookies.

"Everything comes full circle. The opportunity to open a dispensary is a once in a lifetime opportunity - who better than us?" Alicia said, her voice imbued with a sense of profound fortitude. "Our family’s biggest burden has now become our family’s biggest blessing. We are using the power of our growing voice to raise awareness about my dad’s unjust sentence and to bring him home."

Robert Deals is not just a statistic in America's complicated relationship with marijuana laws. A 10-year Air Force veteran and ordained minister, Robert's story underscores the deeply personal impact of these laws on countless families across the nation. His family's steadfast support throughout his sentence has been a testament to their resilience and unity in the face of systemic adversity.

On May 30, they will once again stand united in court, advocating for the recognition of Robert's time served, the removal of his sentence enhancements, and the concurrent running of his charges. Their hope is that the same system that sanctioned Alicia's business will also acknowledge the outdated severity of Robert's sentence.

Amidst the tumultuous journey, Alicia has emerged as a beacon of hope and change. Drawing from her experiences, she founded Life Changers, a company designed to provide professional assistance to families navigating the complex and often daunting prison system.

"When someone you love goes to prison, the whole family goes to prison," she said, speaking from an all-too-familiar place. Alicia's entrepreneurial spirit doesn't stop at Life Changers. In tandem with her work at the dispensary, she plans to launch Life Changers Law Firm and other enterprises that can give people hope and transform lives.

Alicia's story is an embodiment of the stark contrast in America's changing stance on cannabis, a juxtaposition of her father's incarceration and her own rise in the legal cannabis industry. It's a testament to resilience in the face of adversity, to the power of advocacy, and above all, to the unyielding strength of familial bonds. As she looks ahead to May 30, the promise of a new chapter beckons, one that could bring her father home and further cement her role as a force for change within the industry and beyond.