Native Roots Raises Funds for Last Prisoner Project at 2024 Charity Golf Tournament

Stephen Post • June 10, 2024

Annual fundraising event and the Native Roots 2023 CSR Impact Report highlight a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Sustainability; Wellness; and Community


DENVER (June 10, 2024)
– Native Roots Cannabis Co., Colorado’s favorite independent dispensary brand, hosted its third annual charity golf tournament, securing a $55,000 donation to help the Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit focused on freeing non-violent cannabis prisoners and repairing the discriminatory criminal justice practices of the War on Drugs. 


According to the Last Prisoner Project, nearly 16 million Americans have been arrested for marijuana charges over the last two decades – and thousands are currently imprisoned on charges that are no longer illegal in most U.S. states. The nonprofit organization works to effect change through direct legal intervention, constituent support, advocacy campaigns, and working for policy change. 


Stephanie Shephard
, the director of advocacy at the Last Prisoner Project, accepted the fundraising donation at the event. “Unjust cannabis laws don’t just affect a single person,” Shepard said. “They destroy families and wreck whole communities. Native Roots’ generous donation fuels our mission, driving us closer to justice and freedom for unfairly imprisoned, nonviolent cannabis offenses. Together, we will right this wrong.” 


Native Roots just released its
2023 CSR Impact Report, highlighting its efforts around four CSR pillars: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Sustainability; Wellness; and Community. In addition to the annual golf charity event, DEI highlights for 2023 in the report include collaborating with Diversity Window for DEI training and initiatives, expanding diversity among team members to include 71.4% female senior leaders and 23% Hispanic/Latino management, and continued partnerships with The Color of Cannabis and Marijuana Industry Group to further social equity entrepreneurs. 


Since its inception, the Native Roots team has completed over 3,000 hours of community service. Additional 2023 CSR report highlights include a continued partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation and MADD Colorado to stop impaired driving, Boulder CU Change Lab for medical research initiatives on the health effects of cannabis, and newly launched clean commuting incentives for employees, resulting in 39,000 completed trips which reduced 94.4 tons of CO2 emissions.



“We are not only committed to improving our community and leading industry progress, we set specific goals to produce tangible impact,” said Buck Dutton, Vice President of Marketing at Native Roots Cannabis Co. “We are grateful to the Last Prisoner Project for their hard work, and we see it as an industry responsibility to effect change for the thousands experiencing unjustified imprisonment over cannabis charges that are no longer illegal in many states today. Together, as a community, we can make a difference thanks to the leaders at Last Prisoner Project.”


To learn more about the Last Prisoner Project, visit
https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/. To learn more about Native Roots' CSR initiatives and impact, review the 2023 Native Rative Roots CSR Report. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Shawna Seldon McGregor at shawna@themaverickpr.com or 917-971-7852.


Native Roots Cannabis Co.: Colorado’s Happy Place

Native Roots Cannabis Co. is one of Colorado’s most successful vertically integrated medical and adult-use cannabis operators. Native Roots has 20 dispensary locations across Colorado, serving thousands of adult consumers daily and the state’s largest number of registered patient members. With over a decade of experience providing cannabis to patients and adult consumers, Native Roots has won national recognition for its sustainable business practices, retail design, high-quality products, and employment practices. Since 2010, Coloradans have turned to Native Roots as their trusted leader in cannabis for wellness and recreation. Native Roots offers a vast assortment of affordable products and a welcoming environment for cannabis beginners and experts alike. Rooted in the community, we are Colorado’s Happy Place. To learn more about the company, visit nativerootscannabis.com. Follow Native Roots on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


LAST PRISONER PROJECT

The Last Prisoner Project is dedicated to freeing those incarcerated due to the War on Drugs, reuniting their families, and helping them rebuild their lives. As laws change, there remains a fundamental injustice for individuals whose conviction is no longer a crime. We work to repair these harms through legal intervention, constituent support, direct advocacy, and policy change. Visit www.lastprisonerproject.org or text FREEDOM to 24365 to learn more.


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