Four Cannabis Social Justice Organizations to Know

Cannabis has evolved from being the Nixon-era’s scapegoat to a modern element of pop culture that’s becoming a vibrant, booming industry. Last year alone, we’ve generated tens of thousands of jobs, crime rates have plummeted, and we’ve established a new consumer culture less harmful than alcohol.   

Yet, while America continues to become more progressive with every ballot, many states still remain in the past, with ‘offenders’ behind bars for cannabis use that is legal in the next State over. The archaic Controlled Substances Act 1971 still rules and continues to ruin lives more than most drugs ever will. Justice cannot exist when a product that makes billions in some states subjects the innocent to jails in others. 

Entire lives- particularly those of minorities- have been ruined beneath simple possession charges, and justice seems a distant virtue for many. Today, prisoners and profiled offenders are long overdue social equity- especially in regard to cannabis. 

Social justice demands action- and many have taken the initiative to achieve it. Here’s who:

The Last Prisoner Project

According to their latest data, over 40,000 individuals are still in prison over nonviolent cannabis-related charges. The Last Prisoner Project devotes itself to freeing all wrongly incarcerated offenders and absolving them from the stains the outdated legislation forced on them. They strive to free, rehabilitate, and recompense those victims to their government, and will not rest until the ‘Last Prisoner’ is released.  

Their ultimate philosophy remains:

“If anyone is able to profit and build wealth in the legal cannabis industry, those individuals must also work to release and rebuild the lives of those who have suffered from cannabis criminalization.”

The Last Prisoner Project is led by Mary Bailey who is a long-term cannabis advocate. Under Mary’s leadership, the Last Prisoner Project has gained significant financial support for their legal work from cannabis brands such as The Felon & The Farmer and Two Joints.  Both companies donate a percentage of their profits to the Last Prisoner Project.

https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/

Simply Pure

Founded by veterans Scott Durrah and Wanda James, Simply Pure is one of Colorado’s first dispensaries opened following its legalization- existing since 2010. They continue to represent the healthy, safe side of cannabis with high-quality CBD and THC based foods. 

As ex-Navy and ex-Marine remain the first vet/minority-owned dispensaries with special priorities given to veterans to combat common symptoms of those returning from war, including PTSD or chronic pain.  

They work to combat institutionalized injustice, as displayed with Sean Worsley- a black veteran subjected to 60 months imprisonment for possessing his medically prescribed cannabis in Alabama. It’s companies such as Simply Pure that will likely one day prevent these miscarriages of justice, and impose rationale as they become positive beacons of the community. 

For ethical, progressive cannabis investments, there are few better mediums than Simply Pure. You can visit their website here: 

https://simplypure.com/

Bloom Farms

Although a business, Bloom Farms one for one program is part of their brand identity and sets them apart from their competitors in the hyper-competitive vape pen market. The Oakland-based cannabis company is famous for its cannabis vape pens. 

The Oakland-based cannabis company is famous for its one-for-one program. Bloom Farms one-for-one program is part of their brand identity and sets them apart from their competitors in the hyper-competitive vape pen market. It’s a program whereby one meal is given to a food-insecure American family for every Bloom Farms product sold. 

When asked why inspired the idea of the one-for-one program for his company, founder Michael Ray said that he was inspired by a similar program by Tom’s shoes. 

Whether it’s their quality vape pens or their commitment to ending food insecurity in America, they have maintained a dominant presence in the crowded California cannabis vape market.

Cannaclusive

Cannaclusive is a marketing firm directly aimed at reducing the race-based stigma that has plagued cannabis for over a century. Their philosophy remains:

“In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.  

Too often are marginalized groups directly associated with cannabis for its previously non-conformist undertones and discriminatory assumptions. Cannaclusive works to educate, reform, and redesign by both including and excluding cannabis representatives in packaging, marketing, and depictions. According to a report in 2019 by Marijuana Business Daily, only 1/5 of cannabis businesses are owned by minorities, which remains a clear sign that the industry requires a more cosmopolitan approach.

Cannaclusive, meanwhile, works to distance minorities from the ‘reefer-madness’ brand, and to instead subject advertising to ethical, righteous means to ensure all presumptions of cannabis’ users are dropped. 

They also provide the Accountability List, to ensure all cannabis-based companies abide by, and enforce their progressive promises to ensure diversity and equality in the speedily-booming business. Find out more:

https://www.cannaclusive.com/

The War on Drugs has imposed almost irreversible harm upon marginalized communities, over little more than ugly federal politics. It’s companies and organizations like these that represent the change the world needs to see: business and industry bringing positive change from something once demonized. So long as such companies continue to grow, America can continue to progress and finally normalize views surrounding cannabis.