THE WELDON PROJECT ANNOUNCES EXPANDED BOARDS
Leading Athletes, Activists, and Entrepreneurs Join to Amplify Impact
Los Angeles, CA December 3, 2021: – The Weldon Project has selected an all-star list of individuals to join its advisory board and board of directors. Dedicated to the growth of The Weldon Project and MISSION [GREEN], they will be key in actualizing founder Weldon Angelos’ vision of ending federal prohibition of cannabis, and criminal justice reform for those unfairly convicted of non-violent cannabis-related offenses.
Kyle Kazan, CEO of Glasshouse Brands joins Board of Directors. He clearly addresses the heart of urgent disparate issues, “As a retired law enforcement officer in LA, I saw the unequal, unfair, and unjustifiable actions of the War on Drugs firsthand. It was my profound disagreement with those policies, and the experience of participating in them, that led me to become an advocate of ending the War on Drugs and releasing and expunging the records of nonviolent drug offenders many years ago. I have been an outspoken proponent of righting the wrongs of our nation’s longest, most misguided, most destructive war — one against our own people. As the CEO of a large, publicly traded cannabis company today — one that openly traffics in massively more cannabis than any incarcerated individuals like Parker Coleman or Luke Scarmazzo ever did — I know how much more must be done. So, I could not be prouder to be joining forces with The Weldon Project, making a commitment to doing everything we can to heal the damage done by our nation’s Prohibitionist policies. I have never met a more energetic and passionate advocate, more trustworthy partner, or more knowledgeable resource than Weldon, whose own personal experience has given him such unfortunate authority on an ugly chapter in our history. I'm convinced that The Weldon Project will be a tool in in unlocking thousands of jail cells and restarting people's lives."
Weldon Angelos, the co-founder of the Weldon Project and MISSION [GREEN] noted, “The last 12 months have been full of positive steps forward -- we worked with two administrations on cannabis clemency, helped secure the release of dozens of individuals, and worked on and helped introduce legislation that will serve as a vehicle to bring Democrats and Republicans together to finally put an end to the federal prohibition of cannabis. We still have miles to go though before we can declare our own victory – one that includes standing shoulder to shoulder with this war’s victims, without bars separating us. Our new board represents the best of the best, and I’m proud to work side by side with them.”
The Board of Advisors welcomes six new members:
Brendon Robinson is the founder of 420NJEvents and cannabis consultant and entrepreneur. Brendon stepped away from an illustrious career in banking to answer the calling of his passion: social equity, cannabis reform, and uplifting people of color who have been harmed by the war on drugs. Robinson has started multiple ventures in cannabis focusing on erasing the stigma of cannabis. On joining the board of advisors, he stated, “As someone who lost their father to the federal prison system because of cannabis, I take immense pride in joining the Mission [Green] movement and working to bring home the men and women who have been failed by our criminal justice system”
Stanley Okoro is co-founder of 420NJEvents, and a fellow survivor of the ‘War on Drugs.’ He echoes his partner’s thoughts, “To think that men and women are currently still serving prison time for cannabis, while the country moves in the direction of federal legalization is a travesty. This is a constant remainder of the failed War on Drugs. Our focus for Mission [Green] is to ensure that the men and women who have been unjustly punished by our criminal justice system are given a chance at restoring their livelihood.”
Brady Cobb is the founder and former CEO of Bluma Wellness, Inc. and One Plant Florida, (recently acquired by Cresco Labs, Inc. in April of 2021 for $213 million dollars in an all-stock transaction.) Cobb is also a medical cannabis pioneer who uses his legal background to address cannabis policy reform. His interest in medical cannabis began with his father who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for helping to smuggle $300 million worth of cannabis into the U.S. On his appointment, Cobb noted, "I am honored to join forces with Weldon Angelos' impactful team to fight for consequential cannabis and criminal justice reforms. My father was among the thousands of Americans who served time due to punitive drug laws and I have experienced the detrimental impact of the War on Drugs first-hand. Cannabis prohibition continues to disproportionately target marginalized communities and it is the responsibility of established industry stakeholders to not only advocate for decriminalization and legalization but also make this space accessible to individuals incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses."
Keone Kela is the pitcher for the San Diego Padres; earlier this year he joined thirty-five rappers and athletes as a signatory to a letter drafted by Angelos urging President Biden to grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all persons subject to federal criminal or civil enforcement on the basis of non-violent marijuana offenses.
Al Harrington played 16 seasons with the NBA and is the CEO of cannabis company, Viola Brands. In October 2017, Harrington interviewed former NBA commissioner David Stern regarding cannabis use by players during which Stern told Harrington, "I'm now at the point where personally I think [cannabis] probably should be removed from the banned list. You've persuaded me."
Tawnie Scarborough is the Director of Business Development at Conception Nurseries, she brings two decades of cannabis experience, and was at the frontlines around legalization in California; most notably as the founder of Sonoma County Growers Alliance, and as Chair of the Board for the California Growers Association.
The new advisory board members join existing advisors, Heidi Minx, a passionate activist and Director of Marketing for Conception Nurseries, and Stormy Simon, former CEO of High Times. Kyle Kazan joins Brandon Bolton of GC Solutions, and Jason Beck, founder of Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce on the Board of Directors.
About Mission Green
Mission Green is an initiative of The Weldon Project (“TWP”), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works to bring together leaders impacted by the criminal justice system and unlikely allies from both political parties to push for criminal justice solutions. TWP works directly with lawmakers, advocacy groups, incarcerated individuals, and the White House on a broad range of criminal justice issues and advocates on behalf of currently or formerly incarcerated drug offenders who were sentenced to prison for nonviolent drug offenses. TWP has adopted a multifaceted approach to addressing the injustices and disparities in sentencing for drug offenses and the collateral consequences of drug-related arrests and convictions. TWP redresses these injustices and disparities through policy reform, legislative advocacy, and impactful direct service programs designed both to secure release of nonviolent drug offenders from incarceration and to assist those coming out of incarceration in rebuilding their lives through reentry programs and anti-recidivism efforts.
The MISSION [GREEN] initiative was launched to focus on individuals incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses in the federal criminal justice system. The Mission Green campaign is led by socially conscious people who have been impacted by the justice system and have lived through the issues these advocacy organizations are working to address. The people most harmed by the criminal justice system are uniquely qualified to create and champion the solutions that will begin to transform it. You can learn more online at www.theweldonproject.org, on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Contact:
The Weldon Project Weldon Angelos, President weldon at theweldonproject.org
Heidi Minx, PR heidi at theweldonproject.org
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