Marshawn Lynch’s Dodi Blunts Teams Up with Last Prisoner Project to Launch Apprenticeship Program for Justice-Impacted Individuals
90-day paid program trains LPP constituents for careers in the cannabis industry
Dodi Blunts and Last Prisoner Project are excited to announce the Dodi Blunts/Last Prisoner Project Apprenticeship Program. This program is designed to help LPP constituents take their first step back into working society and offers them the mentoring, training and hands-on experience needed for a career in the cannabis industry. For 90 days, the apprentice will work with Dodi Blunts, gaining valuable experience and industry connections needed for a flourishing career in cannabis.
“Having a cannabis felony on your record makes it very hard to earn gainful employment” said Jeff Goldenberg, Co-Founder of 2nd and Goal Ventures, the company behind Dodi Blunts, “Helping LPP constituents gain a foothold in the cannabis industry makes a ton of sense, given what the industry has taken from the community”.
The program starts in consultation with the apprentice — to determine their skills sets, experiences and interests — and determine an area of focus. The apprentice is also rotated through several different areas and functions to gain a wide variety of experience. Finally, once the program is successfully completed, the apprentice will continue their employment with Dodi or another company in the cannabis industry.
The apprenticeship program is the first initiative between Dodi Blunts and Last Prisoner Project since the launch of Dodi in April. Dodi Blunts is the brand of former NFL superstar Marshawn Lynch, who recently signed on to become a Last Prisoner Project Ambassador. The two organizations have plans for many more initiatives over the coming year.
“We are beyond excited to team up with Dodi Blunts in this way,” said Last Prisoner Project Managing Director Mary Bailey. “It’s so important that these justice-impacted individuals are given a path forward and Dodi has really stepped up to the plate in a way that we at Last Prisoner Project are so appreciative of and we hope other cannabis companies will follow suit.”
“Last Prisoner Project is not just talking about second chances but really being about it. It only makes sense that those affected by their cannabis past have a chance to let it play a part of their futures too,” said Marshawn Lynch.
The first apprentice under the new program is Katree Saunders who, in 2011, was convicted on federal charges of possession and intent to distribute cannabis during a federal effort to crack down on Nevada marijuana dispensary operators before retail sale of weed was legalized in the state. Almost a decade later, she’s still working to rebuild her life
“Being the first LPP constituent in the program, I am excited and thankful at the same time,” said Katree Saunders. “This opportunity with Marshawn and the Dodi brand means a lot to me after being a justice-impacted individual. Having recently graduated Columbia Business School for Entrepreneurship and being accepted to the apprenticeship program, I feel like I can be a shining example of what is possible after being affected by the collateral damage of this failed War on Drugs. It’s the chance to be resilient, while making a positive impact on the community. Just because you have been formerly incarcerated, doesn’t mean you have no goals or dreams you would like to accomplish. It has given me inspiration.”
