Opinion: ICE Raids Are Terrorizing API Communities — Including the Ones Who Built Legal Cannabis
By Ophelia Chong
Co-founder, Asian Americans for Cannabis Education
I’ve spent years advocating for equity in the cannabis industry—pushing for safe, legal access, for representation, and for a place at the table for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Through Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, we’ve worked to uplift the voices of immigrants, entrepreneurs, students, and families who’ve often been left out of the conversation.
But today, many in our communities are too afraid to speak at all.
ICE raids are spreading like wildfire across the country, and with them, a wave of fear that is suffocating our neighborhoods. Family businesses are seeing sharp drops in customers. Overseas students—many from Asian countries—are pulling back from U.S. schools. Families are staying indoors. People are terrified of being picked up off the street, without warning, without rights, and without anyone knowing where they’ve gone.
This fear doesn’t stop at the immigration office—it spills into every aspect of life, including legal cannabis. APIs have fought to gain a foothold in this emerging industry, overcoming stigma, legal gray areas, and systemic bias. Now, they’re facing a new threat: that their legal business, built under state law and in full compliance, could still make them a target. That immigration status—or just the assumption of foreignness—could lead to detention, deportation, or disappearance.
Even U.S. citizens are scared. Because in this climate, due process is not guaranteed, and being Asian is enough to raise suspicion.
This is not just about immigration policy. It’s about human rights. It’s about the economic survival of our local businesses, the safety of our children, and the future of the cannabis industry we’ve worked so hard to help shape. It’s about the right to exist in this country without fear—whether you’re an immigrant, a student, or a dispensary owner.
At Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, we believe that cannabis legalization must include protection. If our communities aren’t safe, then this industry isn’t truly equitable. And right now, we are not safe.
We need our elected officials to speak up. We need sanctuary policies that actually protect us. And we need the cannabis industry to stand with immigrant communities—not only when it's profitable, but when it’s hard.
Because if our families, our students, and our businesses are living in fear, then the promise of legalization means nothing.
— Ophelia Chong, Co-founder, Asian Americans for Cannabis Education
Asian Americans for Cannabis Education: Celebrating a Decade of Progress
Asian Americans for Cannabis Education (AACE) is marking its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of advocacy, education, and groundbreaking achievements in the cannabis industry. Founded to address the lack of Asian American representation and awareness in cannabis, AACE has played a pivotal role in reshaping perceptions, fostering community dialogue, and empowering Asian Americans to take leadership roles in this rapidly growing sector.
A Shift in Perception and Participation
Ten years ago, the conversation around cannabis within Asian American communities was often met with skepticism, stigma, or outright rejection due to cultural taboos and legal concerns. Today, thanks to organizations like AACE, Asian Americans have not only embraced cannabis but have become key players in shaping the industry. From entrepreneurs and scientists to investors and policymakers, Asian Americans are now driving innovation, creating economic opportunities, and advocating for equitable cannabis policies.
Celebrating Industry Leaders and Innovators
AACE’s 10th-anniversary celebration will highlight the contributions of Asian Americans who have revolutionized the cannabis industry. Visionary entrepreneurs have launched some of the most successful cannabis brands, scientists and researchers have advanced medical cannabis studies, and investors have fueled the expansion of businesses that prioritize sustainability, social justice, and wellness.
One of the most remarkable shifts over the past decade is how Asian American investors have embraced the cannabis market. Once seen as a high-risk venture, cannabis is now viewed as a promising opportunity, attracting seasoned business leaders who are driving technological and agricultural advancements. From cutting-edge cultivation techniques to innovative CBD and THC-infused wellness products, Asian American-led enterprises are setting new industry standards.
A Future of Education and Empowerment
The organization remains committed to education and empowerment as AACE enters its next decade.
AACE will continue to advocate for policies that support minority-owned cannabis businesses, provide resources for those entering the industry, and ensure that Asian Americans remain at the forefront of cannabis innovation and entrepreneurship.
The 10th anniversary of AACE is a testament to the progress Asian Americans have made in embracing cannabis as both a business and a cultural shift. What began as a movement to educate and engage has transformed into a thriving network of pioneers who are shaping the future of cannabis. As the industry continues to evolve, AACE will remain a guiding force in ensuring that Asian American voices are heard, respected, and celebrated.
AACE’S CHINESE NEW YEAR’S POTLUCK, SPONSORED BY ISPIRE
POTLUCK AT LOCK AND KEY JULY 2022!
