“Last Prisoner Project” Raises Money to Help Commute Egregious Sentences for Cannabis Offenses

 

GreenScreens (greenscreens.tv), the leading in-store digital point-of-sale platform for cannabis retailers, has partnered with the Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing restorative justice to those who have suffered under cannabis criminalization as more U.S. states move to full legalization. 

 

As part of the partnership, GreenScreens will provide promotional support for “Roll It Up For Justice,” a nationwide campaign that offers cannabis consumers an opportunity to donate to the Last Prisoner Project at check out. GreenScreens will donate 10 percent of its ad network to provide advertising space for “Roll It Up For Justice” at participating dispensaries, as well as promote the program to its 200 retailer customers across the nation. 

 

“We’re proud to participate in this important effort to bring justice to and help rebuild the lives of those individuals who have struggled under cannabis criminalization,” said Shawn Cutter, CEO of GreenScreens. “While the team here at GreenScreens — as well as our retail and brand partners in the industry — are benefiting today from industry opportunities, so many individuals remain incarcerated for acts that are no longer considered illegal. We believe we have a responsibility as an industry to rectify this unfortunate reality.”  

 

The Last Prisoner Project (lastprisonerproject.org) is working to educate both the industry and the general public on social injustice and the eventual release of more than 40,000 prison inmates currently incarcerated for cannabis offenses that are now legal in most states. The organization was formed by a network of cannabis industry leaders, criminal and social justice advocates, policy and education experts, and leaders in social justice and drug policy reform. Thus far, the organization has contributed to significant reform efforts in 13 states, including efforts that expanded Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ pardon power for cannabis possession offenses. 

 

“We’re thrilled to partner with GreenScreens to help cannabis consumers become involved in the important work we’re doing across the country,” said Mary Bailey, managing director at the Last Prisoner Project. “We know that retailers and customers understand the ongoing injustice of individuals serving jail time for essentially what is a routine visit to a dispensary today.” 

 

The “Roll It Up For Justice” program provides consumers the opportunity to donate to the cause by “rolling up” their purchase to the next dollar at the time of check out, with the additional funds going to support the Last Prisoner Project’s efforts. This is accomplished via cash round ups, as well as through credit or debit card processing depending on a dispensary’s point-of-sale system. The Last Prisoner Project provides training materials for store staff, as well as consumer-facing informational materials for participating retailers. 

 

“We’ll be working to get the word out about this important opportunity and convince as many of our 200 retailers as possible to participate in this effort,” said Cutter. “It’s our belief that working together, cannabis industry leaders can alleviate the inequities created by cannabis legalization.” 

 

Recent Articles

With Halloweentime upon us, ghosts and goblins all around the world are gearing up for the annual celebration of the macabre. Between dressing up in fun costumes and making caramel apples to taking our kids trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, there’s no shortage of things to do at the end of October; but did you know that some of the earliest traditions revolved around the use of incense and other herbal blends?
When I was in college, my sophomore year roommate, who went by Bear, had a two-foot-tall bong with a name. Green Lucy was a gorgeous emerald-colored masterpiece with thick, bulbous glass at the top, comfortable for ripping huge hits. It was a celebrity on our floor of the creative arts co-op where we lived. People would come from all over the house, and sometimes from other parts of campus, just to hang with Bear and get baked from Green Lucy.
Charlea came into the cannabis space as a journalist, covering Missouri’s fascinating cannabis landscape as it rapidly evolved. While reporting on the state’s medical marijuana vote, Charlea got to know a local physician who was equally passionate about legalizing medical use in the state.
Common business advice tends to view the 80:20 rule simplistically. Focus on the 80% of your store that drives profit, it says. Ignore the rest. That’s fine for the average folks. But what about those who want to boost the other 20%?
Before you've said a word, your shop is selling. The customer hasn’t touched a single product, and your staff hasn't even said hello. Your decor and layout have already done the talking, either pulling people in or pushing them away.
As VP of Operations at ATM Wholesaler and Elite Merchant Services, he’s picked up the baton from his father and CEO, Norman Koza, who passed it to him after founding this successful company over 25 years ago.