Last Prisoner Project Launches Reentry Partnerships Program to Empower Cannabis Prisoners as They Return to Society

Michael Deegan-McCree • March 24, 2022

Cannabis criminal justice reform nonprofit Last Prisoner Project (LPP) utilizes a three-pronged approach of release, record clearing, and reentry to secure full freedom for the communities we serve. LPP's reentry resources are focused on ensuring that our constituents have the tools and support they need to successfully rebuild their lives as well as create pathways to employment within the legal cannabis industry.


“We can't just open the prison gates to opportunity for those who are directly impacted,” said Last Prisoner Project’s Senior Impact Strategist Michael Deegan-McCree. “We also need to give those who are impacted the tools to walk through those gates.”


To date,
LPP’s Impact & Re-entry Team has distributed approximately $750,000 through our Micro-Grant initiative. These grants provide assistance for housing, education, court fees and other services that help cannabis prisoners rebuild their lives upon release. You can learn more about the impact the LPP team has created to date here. Today, LPP is launching the Reentry Partnerships Program which includes our new Ready to Hire, Computers for Constituents, and Premier Community Engagement Partnerships Initiatives. 


You can learn more about
LPP’s Reentry Partnerships Program and the recently launched initiatives below. Sign up for more information and to become a partner here.

 

Ready to Hire

The Ready to Hire initiative invests in Last Prisoner Project constituents by providing them the tools necessary to succeed in a competitive career market by helping them develop a professional portfolio by connecting them with professional mentorship fellowships and career opportunities. 


LPP partners with locally-led, impacted organizations that specialize in reentry opportunities for impacted-individuals to create more pathways to employment. LPP recently partnered with with 40Tons on their 'Canna Get a 2nd Cannabis Career Conference' which garnered over 300 attendees. We encourage both those who are impacted and organizations interested in fair chance hiring to take part in these career conferences. The next career fair takes place on April 16th in Oakland, CA; Register here!


Ready to Hire also builds career readiness by partnering with organizations willing to invest in the professional development of LPP’s constituents by supplying resources such as resume guidance and paid fellowships/mentorships, and LPP recently launched a partnership with BrandResumes to provide constituents access to a career development fellowship.


Computers for Constituents 

Individuals  incarcerated for cannabis face barriers when accessing digital services.. This program serves to provide computers and other electronic devices for LPP constituents to use both in the hiring process and in their future workplaces. 


Premier Community Engagement Partnerships
 

Reentry partners often feel that their organizations have the capacity to provide intentional support by creating exclusive initiatives of their own. LPP's community engagement partnerships initiative challenges those organizations to create their own programs that Last Prisoner Project can support in collaboration.


For questions or more information regarding
LPP’s Reentry Partnerships Program, you can contact Sr. Impact Strategist Michael Deegan-McCree at michael@lastprisonerproject.org.


About Last Prisoner Project:

The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cannabis-related criminal justice reform. As the United States moves away from the criminalization of cannabis, giving rise to a major new industry, there remains the fundamental injustice inflicted upon those who have suffered under America’s unjust policy of cannabis prohibition. Through intervention, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, the Last Prisoner Project works to redress the past and continuing harms of these inhumane and ineffective laws and policies. Visit www.lastprisonerproject.org or text FREEDOM to 24365 to donate and learn more.


You can read and share our full press release here.

October 27, 2025
Featuring Carmelo Anthony, Omari Hardwick, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, and other cultural icons, the NYC event united artists, advocates, and changemakers to advance cannabis justice.
September 24, 2025
NEW YORK, NY – September 24, 2025 – The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) will host its sold-out second annual Journey to Justice Gala on Wednesday, October 15, at Sony Hall in New York City, bringing together artists, advocates, and supporters to celebrate progress toward ending the War on Cannabis. This year’s gala will spotlight the resilience of individuals directly impacted by cannabis incarceration, sharing their stories through powerful performances and heartfelt tributes. Special guests include NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony , co-founder of Grand National with Jesce Horton, and Brandon “Beedy” Pierce—an agency supporting LPP. Also in attendance will be NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson , Eddie, and Dr. Wendy Osefo of The Real Housewives of Potomac , and comedian and actor Guy Torry , who will serve as the evening’s MC. Additional guests include Jason Flom , Khaliah Ali , and Fab 5 Freddy . The night will also feature a live performance by Joy Oladokun and Bartees Strange and a DJ set by Keith Shocklee , founding member of Public Enemy. “I’m just thrilled to lend a voice to such a noble cause, so that everyone who supports Happy Eddie through purchasing my products will know that no one should be in prison for something that is now legal in many states,” said Eddie Osefo, owner of Happy Eddie . “As we come together as a community to celebrate and advocate for criminal justice reform and lessening social stigmas around cannabis, we must remember to support organizations like LPP that provide prisoner support initiatives aiming to improve the lives of incarcerated constituents by providing them with financial and emotional support during their time behind bars." The gala will honor LPP constituents who have returned home and are now advocating for others. Award recipients include Mario Ramos , who served 13 months for cannabis before opening his New York City dispensary, Conbud, and Deshaun Durham , granted clemency by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly last year, who now champions reform efforts. The evening will also recognize the work of LPP’s Cannabis Justice Initiative (CJI) , which has saved constituents more than 350 years of unjust sentences, including seven life sentences. Additional honorees include Leonel Villaseñor and Jose Sepulveda, two federal clemency recipients who returned home earlier this year. Stephanie Shepard, who served a 10-year federal sentence and is now Board Chairwoman and Director of Advocacy at Last Prisoner Project , said, “The Journey to Justice Gala is a powerful celebration of freedom and the lives forever changed through our work. This year, we’re honored to uplift several of our formerly incarcerated constituents—like DeShaun Durham, who is now thriving and leading in his community after years behind bars for cannabis. Your attendance helps us raise the critical funds needed to support more stories like his. Join us for a night of purpose, progress, and people power.” Proceeds from the sold-out event will directly support Last Prisoner Project’s legal, policy, and reentry programs, ensuring their longevity and impact. Last Prisoner Project thanks its sponsors — Goodwin, DeLisioso, Gotham, Grand National, General Hydroponics, Vladick, Raskin and Clark, Edie Parker, Free My Weedman, Happy Eddie, Primitiv, GTI, iAnthus, ConBud, Ethos Cannabis, BATCH, PuffCo, Sweed, and Ben and Jerry’s— for making this evening possible. Additional thanks go to newly added sponsors Dutchie, Ayrloom, Emerald Dispensary, Flower Mill, 3isFor, and Canopy USA. For more information or to view sponsorship packages, visit the Last Prisoner Project Gala website. For Media Inquiries: Will Mesinger, West End Strategy Team wmesinger@westendstrategy.com | LPP@westendstrategy.com
August 6, 2025
Wednesday, October 15 at Sony Hall in New York City Notable Guests Include Carmelo Anthony, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, Dr. Wendy & Eddie Osefo, Fab 5 Freddy, Jason Flom & Khaliah Ali, Donte West, Keith Shocklee and Studdah Man of Public Enemy, and Guy Torry with a Performance by Joy Oladokun PURCHASE TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION