Freedom Grow Pivots to National Fundraising Model Under New Leadership

Freedom Grow, a nonprofit supporting incarcerated cannabis offenders and their families, announced a strategic expansion that will bring its advocacy work into dispensaries and community events across the country. The 501(c)(3) organization is shifting from purely volunteer-driven prisoner support to a hybrid model incorporating retail partnerships and fundraising events.

Bill and Jeff Levers, founders of California-based cannabis brand Beard Bros Pharms, are leading the organizational transition. The brothers bring industry connections and business experience to what has traditionally operated as a grassroots mutual aid network.

The timing reflects broader challenges in cannabis criminal justice reform. While 24 states have legalized adult-use cannabis, more than 2,800 people remain incarcerated on federal cannabis charges alone, according to Last Prisoner Project data. State-level figures push that number significantly higher.

The Business Case for Advocacy

Freedom Grow's new approach mirrors a trend among cannabis nonprofits: partnering with licensed businesses to fund social equity work. Several organizations, including The Last Prisoner Project and Cage-Free Cannabis, have launched branded product collaborations with cannabis companies, with proceeds supporting legal services and reentry programs.

The Levers brothers' involvement signals a recognition that volunteer labor alone cannot scale to meet demand. "Most cannabis prisoners don't have access to the legal resources they need," said advocates familiar with the organization's work. "Connecting that need to the legal market makes sense."

Beard Bros Pharms, known for its California concentrate products, has built a reputation around transparency and community engagement. The company's founder involvement suggests Freedom Grow may pursue product partnerships similar to those other advocacy groups have used to generate operating revenue.

From Letters to Logistics

Freedom Grow has historically focused on direct support: commissary funds, letter writing, and family assistance for people serving cannabis sentences. The organization operates entirely through volunteers, with no paid staff positions.

That model has limitations. As legal cannabis sales approached $30 billion nationally in 2023, the gap between industry prosperity and prisoner support has widened. Advocacy organizations report increased demand for legal assistance, reentry services, and family support that outpaces volunteer capacity.

The nonprofit's expansion into "community activation" suggests a more visible public presence. Industry observers expect this could include sponsored events at dispensaries, branded fundraising campaigns, and partnerships with cannabis retailers looking to support social equity initiatives.

What's Next

Freedom Grow has not yet announced specific retail partnerships or event dates. The organization's 501(c)(3) status allows it to accept tax-deductible donations and potentially receive grants from larger foundations that fund criminal justice reform work.

Several cannabis companies have faced criticism for supporting legalization while doing little for those still imprisoned under prohibition. Authenticity matters to consumers: a 2023 survey by Headset found 67% of cannabis buyers consider social equity commitments when choosing products.

The Levers brothers' track record may help Freedom Grow avoid that skepticism. But the real test will be whether retail partnerships generate meaningful resources for prisoners and families—or simply provide marketing opportunities for participating brands.

For now, the organization's volunteer network continues its core work: answering letters, sending commissary funds, and maintaining connections between incarcerated people and the cannabis community that has moved on without them.

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This article is based on original reporting by ganjapreneur.com.