In order to accept cannabis as a socially acceptable product and to flourish on the market legally, it is important that the industry acknowledges the damaging and discriminatory past caused by the failed War on Drugs. For decades, thousands of citizens have been—and continue to be—unjustly convicted and incarcerated and now live with the many societal disadvantages of a criminal cannabis conviction. In order to combat the many disadvantages of a crime which is now legalized in varying degrees in more than half of the US, progressive state are adopting policies in an effort to bring in individuals who were impacted by the decades long failure of the war on drugs. Known by the name social equity, this program could lead to lucrative business opportunities in underserved communities.
Chicago’s new cannabis brand has made corporate social responsibility a central part of its corporate culture, while respecting and combining the American urban subcultures which helped push weed culture to the forefront. Ümi Farms is a parent company for cannabis brands specifically geared toward social equity causes, including ÜMI retail dispensaries and the ÜMI Farms craft cannabis cultivation facility. Akele Parnell founded the company. She is an activist and attorney who has a deep commitment to these topics.
Parnell is a former lawyer and advocate for a variety of cannabis organizations and companies. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis’ Law School, Parnell previously held the position of in-house counsel for Green Thumb Industries and staff attorney for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. Parnell is an advocate who has worked with Chicago NORML since 2010 and served as a member of the board.
Parnell says, “I wondered almost immediately after I joined the industry where were all the community members who had been devastated by War on Drugs.” “I set out to recruit more people like myself into the industry.”
Illinois was the 11th State to legalize both medical and adult use cannabis when the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act went into force on 1 January 2020. Later that year the state began accepting applications for new marijuana licenses, an historic move that attracted more than 600 social justice applications. Parnell, despite the initial difficulties in Illinois’ implementation of social justice, describes it as “robust”. This is unlike other states who have implemented this policy poorly. Parnell says, “We succeeded in getting licenses to hundreds of Black- and Latinoowned social equity businesses.” There is much to be done in order to achieve social equity. In the not too distant future, I hope we reach a point where we feel we’ve achieved the goals we set.
Ümi Farms recognizes cannabis’ decorated legacy and the socially restorative future that the plant could have. The name Ümi is quite interesting from a language standpoint, as it translates into different words in different languages, while the meanings all represent life. In Japanese, “Ümi” means “ocean;” in Arabic, “Ümi” means “mother,” “foundation” and “source.” In the language of the Mambwe people from Zambia and Tanzania, “Ümi” translates to “life.” On his debut album in 1999, On Both Sides, Black, Mos Def included a song called “Ümi Says.” Parnell said that the name has “an important connection to the cannabis eco-system we are building.”
Lab 11 is the first brand launched under Ümi Farms. Parnell refers to it as the “ultimate child.” Lab 11 is a social equity company owned by veterans and minorities. It’s as diverse, energetic and determined, he adds, as are the communities it aims to improve through the transformational power of its plant.
The creativity and nostalgia of urban subcultures inspires this collection.
golden era of the industry, Lab 11 celebrates the legacy of cannabis culture—progressive, free, countercultural and provocative—all while exploring it’s
The impact of cannabis on the world will continue to grow. Parnell: “It was our way of responding to a cannabis legal market full brands who didn’t understand our culture.” There has not been an opportunity to bring a brand by people who are immersed within these countercultural, progressive and free environments and ecosystems in Chicago. Lab 11 brings together a large number of artists, activists and chefs.
Lab 11’s majority owners and operator were raised in neighborhoods that had been deeply affected by prior drug policies. One such neighborhood is the Woodlawn district in Chicago. Parnell says, “We have been advocating for social justice across the nation pretty much since we started in this industry.” We’ll give more opportunities as the brand expands to those from communities who have suffered disproportionately.
Parnell says that Ümi Farms and Lab 11 will continue to partner with brands and individuals who hold similarly advanced views on social equity and further reforms from horribly damaging drug laws outside of cannabis. This brand is also creating a kind of mentorship in Illinois, in which those who aspire to work in the cannabis industry will be matched up with current employees for on-the-job learning.
Parnell: “We will continue to create that ecosystem, that community, and provide a place where people can come to enjoy this plant in a safe environment.” “We will continue to look for ways to improve social equity and to create a safe place to enjoy the plant,” Parnell says.