“ Many cannabis businesses are working with slim margins and do not give back to their communities ,” he says . “ However , everyone , especially celebrities with means that choose to be in the cannabis business , should be giving back in some capacity .” When it comes to globally recognized marijuana branding , what could be bigger than the classic “ Legalize It ” anthem ? And while ex-Wailer and prominent unicyclist Tosh has been resting in peace since 1987 , his legacy lives on with the causerelated efforts of the foundation , including the Justice for Jawara initiative , expungement clinics , equity partnerships , and cannabis wellness education .
A Cautionary Californian Tale and a Kobe Celebration of Life
There ’ s much more to successful cause-marketing than just paying a celeb to blast out info on a topic close to your heart . And according to Green Holdings CEO Fred Sayegh , California ’ s legalization journey provides plenty of lessons about what not to do when it comes to encouraging cannabis companies to contribute to the greater good . That ’ s because the red tape that came with legalization made medical-marijuana donations a nightmare — if companies had anything left over at all . “ It ’ s extremely difficult to become profitable ,” Sayegh says , lamenting the lack of social-impact work by weed brands in the state . “ That almost sucks out the wind from all cannabis companies — whether celebrity-based or just a regular
company — from being able to have anything left to help with ( being ) charitable .” Low-income patients , who had been getting free weed from compassion clubs , were suddenly on the hook for a 15 percent tax . Growers and sellers had to cough up even more . It all amounted to a series of giant roadblocks . “ You ’ d give a piece of your profits to a charitable foundation , and that charitable foundation barely distributes 10 percent of the profit back out , if that , because of all those costs ,” Sayegh recalls . “ They kind of put in place a chokehold .” The law was finally amended last year to eliminate taxes for medical-related charity giveaways . But this only applies to retailers who ’ ve successfully navigated a local-licensing process that ’ s been criticized for , too often , shutting out applicants from disadvantaged communities . However , one unique aspect of the amendment is that nonprofits ( working with one of those retailers ) can donate cannabis ( and related products ) to valid patients . Some brands seek other ways to help out that don ’ t actually involve the plant . “ We ’ ll bring a mobile media truck — it ’ s like a big LED screen ,” Sayegh says . “ We ’ ll give away food or clothing .”
" One way celebrItIes – In – cannabIs could have a measurable impact is by creating business vehicles that would allow smaller players to come along for the ride .”
SIMPSON
NEEDS OUR HELP !
Rick Simpson is one of the most well-known advocates for raising awareness about the healing properties of medical marijuana .
In 2018 Rick suffered a debilitating stroke .
It has been a very challenging time for Rick and his wife ( and caregiver ) Danijela . They need community support to help pay for Rick ’ s medical expenses from the last two and a half years ... and those which are still on the horizon .
© Steef Fleur / Green Gold Stories
Follow Rick ’ s story on our social networks : simpsonramadur . com | phoenixtears . ca
Support Rick by purchasing one of his books at simpsonramadur . com Or make a donation in support of Rick at : gofundme . com / f / support-rick-simpson
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