This year, while smokers and tokers, dabbers and dabblers across the world are cheerfully observing 4/20, Antonio Wyatt won’t be celebrating. Neither will Edwin Rubis, Kevin Allen, Ricardo Ashmeade, or thousands of others in the United States who are incarcerated for non-violent cannabis-related offenses. Yes, even though cannabis is currently decriminalized, recreationally legal, and/or medically legal in more than 40 US states and territories, offenders are still serving time for actions that are no longer considered crimes.
In the United States, cannabis sales generate billions of dollars in tax revenue each year, yet so many of the people responsible for building the foundation of this booming industry are sitting in jail for doing just that. Last Prisoner Project is one organization working to rectify this wrong — and you can help them get it done.
Founded in 2019 to ensure that no one remains incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses that are now legal, Last Prisoner Project takes a full-spectrum approach to social justice. On a macro level, they advocate for legislative change and educate the public, whether that means facilitating a letter-writing campaign to lawmakers, partnering with powerful brands, or providing technical support to government bodies implementing new policies.
To affect change on a more personal level, the group spearheads initiatives that directly benefit the people and communities most affected by the “war on drugs.” The organization offers support to families of incarcerated prisoners, puts money into inmates’ commissary accounts, and helps newly released inmates get back on their feet. Stephen Post, the organization’s communications manager, told me that as of September 2024, Last Prisoner Project had donated $3.2 million in reentry grants and commissary funds to people who are or were incarcerated for acts that are now viewed as financial acumen, not felonies.
“People enjoying cannabis today have a responsibility to help the ones who helped get us here and are still in jail for doing so,” Stephen says. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are. They shouldn’t be where they are.
Here’s how you can help.
- Send a postcard or letter to an incarcerated person. Letting them know that you’re fighting for their freedom from the outside goes a long way.
- Contact your local government representatives to voice your support for cannabis reform.
- Fundraise or set up a recurring donation for prisoner commissary donations, reentry grants, and family support.
- Support brands that partner with Last Prisoner Project, including Ben & Jerry’s, Reebok, Pax, Raw, Cheba Hut, and many more mainstream and cannabis-centric companies
- Sign a petition to help a specific incarcerated individual gain their freedom.
- Use #DecriminalizeNow to spread the word on social media.
Next 4/20, let’s all celebrate together.
Have more ways to help? Share your suggestions in the comments below.
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