Tip “T.I.” Harris has teamed up with Viola — signing on as the company’s Social Justice and Reform Ambassador.
Viola, a nationwide leader in the production and sale of premium quality cannabis products, was founded by NBA veteran Al Harrington.
According to the press release, T.I. will direct the community impact strategy for Viola, pioneering initiatives that make the cannabis industry more diverse, equitable and inclusive. He will also drive Viola’s mission of racial equity and justice further by promoting its core values as it continues to give back to communities most affected by the War on Drugs.
“I have the utmost respect for Al and all the work he has done with Viola to increase minority representation in cannabis and help Black and brown communities who have fallen victim to the War on Drugs,” says T.I. Harris. “Together we will expand social justice reform by providing tangible resources for disenfranchised communities and opportunities to build economic autonomy within the cannabis industry.”
“As we continue to increase our social imprint within the cannabis industry, I am honored to welcome my brother T.I. into the Viola family,” says Al Harrington, CEO and founder of Viola. “His work helping communities of color over the years directly aligns with Viola’s core values as we look to meet the needs of underserved communities by fostering new opportunities for people that look like us.”
Earlier this month, the passed comprehensive legislation that would decriminalize marijuana and expunge nonviolent marijuana-related convictions. The bill would exclude the drug from the Controlled Substances Act. It would also approve a five percent tax on marijuana, which would go towards funding community and small business grant programs.
“Marijuana use is either socially acceptable behavior or it’s criminal conduct,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. “But it can’t be socially acceptable behavior in some neighborhoods and criminal conduct in other neighborhoods when the dividing line is race.”
