5 Black Women Fighting To Decriminalize Weed
It’s 4/20! The sound you’re hearing is the collective flick of the lighters your weed smoking compadres just used to light their celebratory joint in honor of the holiday. But aside from being taken to another dimension, 4/20 is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the strides we’ve made in decriminalizing marijuana, how we can continue to support our incarcerated sisters, and the work we still have to do for justice in light of the so-called war on drugs. Here’s a list of just some of the women who are doing the work to destigmatize and decriminalize weed use.
Jasmine Mans
You may know Jasmine Mans for her poetic takedown of Kanye West or from her recent collection of poems in Black Girl, Call Home. When she is not writing rhymes though, she is over at Buy Weed from Women, the clothing business she started in hopes to, in her own words, support “women entrepreneurs and the legalization of cannabis.” Over at the website, you can cop yourself a jacket, a tote, and more to further Mans’ worthy message.
Wanda James
After meeting her formerly incarcerated brother who was imprisoned for ten years for a 4 oz. bag of weed, Wanda James knew she had to do something. It led to Simply Pure, the first Black woman owned legal dispensary in the United States. Alongside her husband, James strives to give people more than weed products at her dispensary, but a lesson in the disproportionate ways Black people are impacted by drug criminalization.
Toi Hutchinson
Former Illinois state senator Toi Hutchison left her life of politics to become the President and CEO of Marijuana Policy Project. Building on the work she did while in politics, Hutchinson is dedicated to the cause of making sure weed is legal across the country.
Whitney Beatty
With a financial co-sign from Jay-Z , Whitney Beatty opened Josephine & Billie’s, leading her to become the first Black woman in Los Angeles to own a weed speakeasy. Beatty says: “We believe that we can fill a large hole in the retail market by becoming not just a dispensary, but a destination, bolstered by our connection to the community and authentic POC voice.”
Dasheeda Dawson
As the founder of WeedHead and Company and author of How to Succeed in the Cannabis Industry, Dasheeda Dawson has committed herself to educating people about the booming weed industry so the business of professionally selling weed can become more inclusive.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Though it is a year-long must for many, coffee hits different as the seasons change and the weather grows cooler. Similarly, a fall nail trend you're bound to see everywhere this season is latte nails. Just like sipping on a warm, comforting latte during the crisp autumn days, latte nails are all about providing those cozy vibes. Think earthy tones like creamy beige, caramel, and deep and soft browns or nudes with a touch of warmth.
Versatile and complementary of the warmer tones typical of the turn of the season, latte nails are a fabulous choice to embrace the sweater weather.
Latte Nail Design Ideas
Keep scrolling for different ways to rock latte nails this season.
Vanilla Latte Nails
Fall Brown Latte Nail Ideas
Coffee Latte Nails for Fall
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