#BlackLivesMatter: A Message from Our CEO
Transparency on this issue is critical. For this reason, we are sharing the same message our CEO shared with our employees, with you.
Tilray Team,
Like many of you, I am appalled and heartbroken by the devastating murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery – as well too many others whose lives have been tragically and unjustly taken over the course of our history. I am encouraged to see that the #BlackLivesMatter movement has rightfully taken over our newsfeeds, cities and conversations. I have spent much time thinking about the right way for Tilray to participate in this important conversation. While I don’t have the definitive answer, I believe sharing my personal beliefs with you is a good place to start:
I acknowledge my privilege as a white male and the opportunities it has afforded me that are not available to many people who experience the pain of racism on a daily basis.
I believe we have a responsibility to stand in solidarity with everyone speaking out against racism and the social injustice experienced by people of color across North America.
I support honest conversations and peaceful demonstrations. I am hopeful that this movement will lead to long overdue reform to our institutions that were built on inherently racist foundations. If any of you need to take time away from work this week to participate in demonstrations or simply reflect, please notify your supervisor. We will support you.
I will continue to work towards righting the wrongs of cannabis prohibition that has been particularly harmful to people of color.
I will continue to seek out diverse voices for positions of leadership within our organization and champion diversity and inclusion at all levels. We need to do better at Tilray and the cannabis industry as a whole.
I promise to listen, learn and make space for the important voices speaking now.
When we started Privateer Holdings in 2010 and eventually Tilray in 2014, our core purpose was built on the thesis of ending cannabis prohibition and the harms it causes, understanding that prohibition has been disproportionately harmful to people of color more than any other group. In 2018, myself and the other founders of Privateer pledged $5M to support communities that have been harmed by cannabis prohibition. In 2020, I also pledged $1M to New Approach PAC which has been instrumental in statewide cannabis legalization and reform and has legalized cannabis via 13 successful ballot measures. Thus far this year, I have funded $500,000 of that commitment.
I am not so naïve as to believe that ending cannabis prohibition will solve the problem of racial injustice, but I do strongly believe that cannabis legalization is a small step towards promoting justice. It is an important cause for which I have spent the last ten years of my life fighting: step by step, state by state, and country by country around the world.
Social justice remains core to our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy at Tilray. As a company, we have supported organizations such as John Howard Society and Defy Ventures that are working to balance some the injustices caused by cannabis prohibition. We remain committed to supporting initiatives like these now and for the long-term.
We have decided to mute most of our social channels for the remainder of the week, to make space for the valuable and authentic voices that need to be heard. I’ve also donated to Drug Policy Alliance and Minority Cannabis Business Association, on behalf of Tilray, in support of the work they’re doing to benefit the Black Lives Matter movement.
I recognize there is so much more to do as an organization. I know that these gestures are meaningless without action and long-term commitment. I will hold our leadership team accountable for these values. And I want you to do the same. Progress won’t be instant and we may not always get it right. But we can do better and we will do better.
Best,
Brendan