The Censure of University of Colorado Regent Wanda James

It began with statements made by University of Colorado Regent Wanda James. She was concerned about images contained in the CU Anschutz campaign “The Tea on THC,” a scientifically backed campaign about the dangers of high-potency cannabis.

The images in question depicted cartoon illustrations of Black fetuses, children, and teens next to messages about the dangers of youth cannabis use and cannabis use in pregnant women.

James, who owns Simply Pure dispensary in Denver, brought her concerns to CU President Todd Saliman about the images, which he agreed were racially insensitive. He swiftly pulled the images and issued a public apology. Yet James was still unsatisfied, reaching out to the governor’s office, calling the program “racist propaganda,” and pointing out what she believed to be negative associations between Blackness and laziness. She asked that it be defunded and the funds be allocated to social equity programs. Her comments did not affect the funding for the campaign.Some other regents felt that her opposition to the funding for the campaign was biased, fueled by her concern that it could interfere with the success of her business in the cannabis industry. On July 2, the Regents voted 7-1 (Regent Nolbert Chavez voted against censure) to censure James, stating she “violated policies that require her to always act in the best interest of the university.”

Fellow Regent Ilana Spiegel insists James was not censored for calling out racism, but instead for calling into question the validity of CU’s research. She went on to say, “I can’t support actions that put political gain and theater before public health and safety and attempt to defund a scientifically backed initiative that protects the health of teenagers and expectant moms.”

CU Regent-at-Large Elliott Hood also said during the remote meeting: “You cannot put your interests or the interests of your trade above the interests of the university you serve … I find that you violated your fiduciary duty, and I believe censure is warranted in this case.”

What does it mean to be censured? 

According to Legal Clarity, a censure is: “a formal statement of disapproval from an official body against a member, serving as a public rebuke that stops short of expulsion or removal. A censure is a formal, public reprimand for misconduct, representing an official expression of strong disapproval from a governing body against one of its members. While it serves as a formal condemnation to uphold an organization’s standards, it is not a criminal punishment.”

So what happens now?

Meanwhile, James said she expected the censure—but was in the dark about sanctions attached to it, and she questions whether they can be enforced. “After being censured, I found out that there are two sanctions against me: They’re removing me from all of my committee assignments, and I am uninvited to all university events.” Asked how she felt about it, she answered: “Shocked, to be honest with you, the committee assignments I expected, but being removed from university events? I don’t even know what that means yet.” She continued, “However, the all white regents have decided that if you stand up for the Black community, if you voice dissent about racism, that you are no longer allowed to be in their circles.”

Furthermore, Hashim Coats, head of the Colorado Black Democrats, said they won’t back down. “We will not be silenced; we will not be dismissed, and we will not let this moment pass without action.”

Personally, as a Black woman myself, I do believe that James was looking out for communities of color. I have often seen images used in media that reinforce unfavorable stereotypes, whether intentionally or not, and it always makes me feel less than, an afterthought. As a person who enjoys cannabis as well, it is so important to educate all people about the dangers of THC. It should also be just as important to keep in mind that Black people and people of color are more likely to be demonized and disproportionately incarcerated for their use of cannabis. Sometimes it is just as important to lead with your heart as it is to present scientific fact.

Photo courtesy University of Colorado website