Theo Communication: DA Graduate & TOQi Follow

They/Them

Theo, Communications BA Graduate & TOQi Fellow

A week after turning 18, Theo immigrated from Colombia to Canada on a journey to explore the community niches they were so driven to find. Though they split time between the Bogotá countryside and the small town Firavitoba on the eastern countryside throughout their youth, Toronto became a permanent home. After relocating to the Greater Toronto Area, Theo found the larger sense of community they were searching for within the 2slgbtqqia+ community. The deep love, commitment, and involvement in the 2slgbtqqia+ community led to Theo’s application to the TOQi Cannabis Amnesty Fellowship. Theo describes their application process for the internship as ‘a funny story.’ It began with friends seeing posts about the opportunity and forwarded it on messaging ‘we think you’d be interested in this.’ After reading the information page, Theo found the program’s core aligned with their personal values on a level higher than could be expected.

When asked about what drove them to apply, Theo stated, “[M]ost of the time people seem to talk to talk but not walk the walk and after three days of working alongside the mentors, I know their intentions are authentic and you can tell that it’s all people who really, really care about people. As an openly queer and trans person, I know what it’s like to rely on the community. So the fact that there are so many people rallying around with palpable support is encouraging. I think it is an important cause and initiative because I have ties to people and their families who have been affected by cannabis possession convictions.”

The most exciting aspect of the Fellowship for Theo is the insight and entryway into the cannabis industry and knowledge from its leaders. For example, Theo shared that “in the first three days [of the internship], I have learned that restrictions around cannabis have actually increased instead of decreased. Before this internship, I had very little awareness of the cannabis industry or its legislation in Canada. And now I’ve gotten so much more information. I think there are a lot of [legal parameters] people getting can get caught up in now with cannabis. So it’s important to educate people and help whenever and whoever we can.”

For individuals interested in the cannabis industry, but unsure about where to begin, opportunities such as the TOQi Cannabis Amnesty Fellowship open the door of possibilities to the new generation of cannabis workers. When being interviewed, Theo shared their thoughts on the program stating “it’s so important to address the wrongs that have been committed in the past and that continue to be committed – bottom line, it’s not illegal anymore. If people knew more about not just production, sales, or consumption, but also the legal aspects behind cannabis, people would probably care a lot more. It excites me to be a part of the collaboration and get to work not only with my other Fellow but with Cannabis Amnesty, TOQi, and Aurora too.”

When discussing the future possibilities that may result from this experience, Sofia expressed the intrigue of entrepreneurship in the form of a non-profit.

“I’ve realized that my one true calling if you want to put it a certain type of way, is to work with and for communities. Especially as an immigrant who had no ties in Canada before moving here, and finding a second family, community is something that I want to always be able to engage with. I want to build networks of people that can help each other out and just work towards a common goal. I always want to be able to exercise my creative power. If the future holds anything that I can do to apply my creative vision towards and hopefully to the betterment of my community I’ll be happy.”

She/Her

Aisha, 2nd year Law Student & TOQi Fellow

Aisha from Halifax, Nova Scotia, recently relocated to Toronto during the COVID pandemic for law school. One year into her degree at the Lincoln Alexander’s Law School at Toronto University, she stumbled upon the TOQi Cannabis Amnesty Internship submission page on her school’s website. She described her initial interest in applying as found within the first paragraph of the information page, stating, “it checked all the boxes.” Aisha recalled her ties to political and social activism and eventually dedicated her career and life to establishing change as early as age 10. It began observing Illinois State Senator Barack Obama’s run for presidential office. Further intrigue continued to spark when Aisha started to look at Canada’s political climate. As a young child, Aisha asked ‘how is it fair’ concerning election structures, legislation implementation, and diverse representation.

When asked about what drew her to Cannabis Amnesty, Aisha stated, “[I]t came down to the work they do. It’s essential – supporting people who have had past convictions or have been charged with cannabis crimes. It really shouldn’t be an issue today. The fact these organizations are coming together to focus on systemic injustices and trying to create and build an approach to recognize marginalized communities having or that have had higher cannabis-related convictions was something I gravitated towards. The position also pays a living wage, and no one does that… The opportunities for mentorship that were discussed to build on skills are huge. I don’t usually have access to these networks as a marginalized person. I get to be paid reasonably, learn and have the support to grow.”

When asked, “what are you looking forward to the most in the Fellowship?” Aisha responded, “[W]e’re working one-on-one with lawyers and industry leaders on an independently-driven project. We get to focus on one of the many pillars of cannabis amnesty, working to end stigmas. It’s really cool to be able to be on this project and have it supervised by very incredible teachers, who put my passions first. I want to be able to celebrate my job; I think that can happen here.”

“The reason why I came into law is to give opportunities, support, and resources to marginalized communities like my own. But, unfortunately, many people don’t have access to these spaces, resources, finances, and opportunities, or even just access to even understanding how to navigate the legal system to benefit and enrich their lives.”

Aisha hopes that in 10 years, she will represent diversity on the bench in Canada.