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The US non-profit, The Last Prisoner Project, spearheaded by “father” of the cannabis industry, Steve DeAngelo, is partnering with technology platform Dutchie to give 400 new grants to help former cannabis prisoners re-enter society.
Dutchie has partnered with the organisation, contributing $100,000 and pledging to match $1m in donations from their dispensary partners and cannabis consumers.
Founded in 2019, The Last Prisoner Project helps those who have previously been convicted on cannabis-related charges following the failed War on Drugs – including releasing people who are imprisoned on cannabis charges.
The cannabis industry is currently is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Historically, cannabis prohibition has disproportionately impacted people of colour, who still remain behind bars for nonviolent cannabis offences whilst the multi-million pound legal industry develops. For example, Black Americans are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis.
Dutchie highlights that it aims to create safe and easy access to cannabis while advancing the positive change cannabis brings to the world – something it says is only possible if the industry and society put equity and justice at the centre of the industry.
The new Last Prisoner Project partnership with Dutchie will include coordination and support across several of Last Prisoner Project’s efforts. This will include the removal of criminal records, re-entry support, criminal justice public policy reform, industry event coordination, and technological avenues to exponentially increase charitable contributions.
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CEO and co-founder of Dutchie, Ross Lipson, commented: “Dutchie is committed to having a positive impact on the future of the cannabis industry and the broad benefits it is bringing to society.
“We cannot erase past injustices that people and communities have experienced as a result of decades of failed cannabis policy. But, we can work to bring restitution to those who have been harmed by supporting their release from incarceration and giving them a new lease on life.
“We are committed to advancing our shared vision to release those behind bars for non-violent cannabis offences and we’re excited to leverage the Dutchie ecosystem to help scale our impact.”
Managing director of Last Prisoner Project, Mary Bailey, added: “We are excited to begin our partnership with Dutchie and grateful for their generous support of our mission. Together, we will redress the harms of cannabis prohibition by advancing crucial criminal justice and drug policy reforms.
“More than 15.7 million Americans have been arrested for non-violent cannabis crimes in the last two decades. Some of whom are serving life sentences without parole. Together, we’ll help give people and families their lives back.”
Comprised of cannabis industry leaders, criminal and social justice advocates, policy, and education experts, the Last Prisoner Project was founded on the belief that no one should remain incarcerated for cannabis offences and is committed to freeing every last prisoner of the War on Drugs – starting with the estimated 40,000 individuals imprisoned for cannabis.
In addition to this partnership, Dutchie’s social equity programme continues to support BIPOC and women-led dispensaries through training and marketing stipends. Dutchie is also a member of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, and in the coming months, will be leveraging its network of thousands of dispensaries and partners to make an even greater impact as part of the company’s commitment to the partnership.
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