7 minute read
Cannabis & Gratitude: How the Industry is Giving Back
Many cannabis companies feel the need to give back to their community, but it is not always easy to find places that will accept donations from them. Some people don’t want ‘drug money’ to help their funding, even though it is legal to sell in their states. It’s very unfortunate, as cannabis companies make good money that can help nonprofits and other philanthropies. Here are a few businesses that help their surrounding communities and communities across the nation.
Bloom Farms
The company Bloom Farms was founded by Michael Ray, who grew up on his family's farm. He was taught there that anyone who needed a warm meal would be fully welcomed. This is the reason behind Bloom Farms’ dedication to helping with food insecurity across America. Their mission has been a 1-for-1 meal program since 2015.
Bloom Farms donates a healthy meal to people in need for every purchase of their products: flower, concentrates, and tinctures as well. So far, Bloom Farms has given out over three million meals to people who need them. It’s a beautiful thing to help those who are hungry. To assist Bloom Farms in their mission, check out their products and if you do make a purchase know you helped someone get a meal.
CANN
The CANN company is owned and operated by the LGBTQIA community. Founders Luke Anderson and Jack Bullock created CANN as a way for those who struggle with alcoholism to switch to a less harmful non-alcoholic cannabis product. It was their alternative to drinking when in social situations. In the creation of their brand, they make it their mission to promote diversity and inclusion among cannabis brands. When promoting their products they enlist the help of drag queens, LGBTQIA models, and more. They are extremely proud of being queer, and they should be! CANN also is in active partnerships with other cannabis groups like Cannabis for Black Lives and Eaze Momentum, both groups are also striving to the goal of equality and equity for all.
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Plant People
The next company is Plant People, and it was founded by Gabe Kennedy and Hudson Gaines-Ross. Both founders have suffered traumatic spinal injuries and were prescribed ‘traditional pharmaceuticals.’ The side effects of said medication is what turned them to creating a cannabis company. Plant People helps many people with a natural path to healing as cannabis is a plant-based product. When it comes to their philanthropy efforts, their main focus is on the environment. Plant People 'believes that plants power people,’ so they partner with American Forest in efforts to help create strong and healthy forests around the continental United States. American Forest helps many with clean water, planting trees, and saving wildlife. Plant People donates a percentage of every order they receive to them.
In addition to the cannabis based companies who give back here are some organizations that focus on helping in the cannabis space without selling cannabis. I have previously mentioned these organizations in our magazine, but they are important to remember. These companies can all be joined and assisted by readers like you!
The NDICA
The NDICA organization, which stands for The National Diversity and Inclusion Cannabis Alliance. Its main goal is to create “equitable employment and ownership opportunities in the hemp and cannabis space.” This non-profit organization makes it a point to create equitable programs for those who have suffered during the aforementioned war. This includes people of color, LGBTQIA+, and other members of marginalized communities. The NDICA is composed of people who take pride in being innovative leaders in the community as they strive to guide and mentor the cannabis and hemp markets. They do this by “bringing together government agencies, industry leaders, practitioners and intellectuals through forums, expungement clinics, trainings, think tanks and a thriving online community, NDICA provides the necessary technical expertise and resources to succeed in the cannabis and non-cannabis industries.” You can become a member through their website!
Last Prisoner Project
The Last Prisoner Project, founded in 2019, has a core belief that “no one should remain incarcerated or suffer the collateral consequences of offenses that are now legal”. This group was created by “justice-impacted individuals, policy and education experts, and leaders in the worlds of criminal justice and drug policy reform to work to end the fundamental injustice that is America's policy of cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs.” Not only is this a goal for the back-end of justice, they strive to make changes in the front as well by the “systemic reform to our criminal legal system.” The Last Prisoner Project works across the country in 31 states to pass and implement bills that aim to release people who have been incarcerated for a now legal activity and clear the convictions from their records. As of now, the Last Prisoner Project has worked on 26 bills to clear criminal records and sponsored 2 of such bills. To get involved with this project, there are a few different options to choose from, one of the easiest options is their Stickers of Change program. To find out more, check out their website.
Marijuana Justice Coalition
The Marijuana Justice Coalition is a “broad coalition of national advocacy organizations, convened by the Drug Policy Alliance, who have joined forces to advocate for federal marijuana reform through a racial and economic justice lens.” This coalition is comprised of drug policy focused, civil rights, criminal justice, and immigration organizations who share a common goal, the pass a federal cannabis reform that “both acknowledges the disproportionate harm faced by Black, brown, and low-income communities, and works toward repairing this harm.”In the 116th Congress, the Marijuana Justice Coalition led the passage of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act). The MORE Act was the first instance in history that Congress voted to reschedule cannabis. The passage of the Act set a precedent that times are moving forward for cannabis and there is hope for the future. The Marijuana Justice Coalition continues to collaborate with the Senate on the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to build upon the MORE Act. If this is something that appeals to you, The Drug Policy Alliance has options for becoming a member or even attending their conferences, check out their website for more!
