Cannabis culture is built on community. Whether it’s sharing the plant with patients seeking respite or working toward reform and restorative justice, giving back is in our roots. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are so many good weed brands aligned with this ethos.
Whether supporting veterans or animal rescues, non-profits need a lot of help nowadays due to economic instability. Fortunately, these cannabis companies are going the extra mile to do what’s right.
RELATED: Nine cannabis non-profits promoting restorative justice and patient access
PawPaw for Paws
The pawpaw fruit is relatively unknown, but it turns out that it’s North America’s own tropical delight. The mango-banana hybrid is especially tasty—and perfect for gummies. When the team at gummy manufacturers Superior Molecular discovered the ingredient, they decided to put it to good use, and used the name as inspo. A portion of every bag of PawPaw for Paws 1:1 CBD:THC gummies are donated to Fur-Ever Home animal rescue, which helps dogs and cats find loving families.
40 Tons
One of the first dedicated social impact brands in cannabis, 40 Tons strives to help people still in prison for cannabis, as well as those who have been recently released. The name is a constant reminder of the founders’ convictions for possession 40 tons of pot. The company hosts job fairs, presents educational seminars, and donates to jail commissary accounts. The brand has expanded into several cannabis markets throughout the country and also offers a range of apparel on its website, allowing people around the world to support the cause.
Dip Devices
Dip Devices is the “choose your own adventure” of weed devices. Makers of a range of portable dipstick dab devices and dry herb vapes, the company allows you to consume in multiple ways while supporting a movement that matters to you. The brand’s products come in an assortment of colors, each one signifying a different cause. When you purchase a device, a portion of the profits support a non-profit around a specific initiative like racial justice, ocean conservation, breast cancer research, and more.
American Weed Co.
Built on a mission of supporting military veterans, American Weed Co. goes the extra mile to advocate, educate, and boost cannabis access. Up to 10 percent of proceeds from every purchase go directly toward veteran-specific initiatives like Stop Soldier Suicide and Responder Strong. The company also supports Weed for Warriors and other advocacy organizations. The brand’s founders actively lobby for access and legalization, holding one of the few voting seats in the National Cannabis Roundtable.
RELATED: This Air Force veteran is still behind bars for cannabis
Wyld
Wyld is one of the country’s largest edible brands, and they decided long ago that they wanted to spread the wealth. The company has its own Corporate Responsibility Department designed specifically to support “philanthropic efforts, community affairs, volunteering initiatives, carbon accounting, and emissions reduction strategies.” 2023’s Wyld Impact Report highlights such efforts, including the donation of warm winter clothes to shelters in Portland, Oregon and meal funding through food banks in California, Maryland, and New Mexico.
Prophet Brands
Founded by former cannabis prisoners, Prophet seeks to raise awareness of justice reform and help free those incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses. The company encourages participation in the federal Compassionate Release Program, which “provides a way for inmates who are experiencing extraordinary or compelling circumstances to be released from prison before their sentence is completed.” Prophet has also partnered with the Mission Green Project to raise funds for social change and financial aid for incarcerated individuals.
Gelato
The father-son team behind California’s Gelato Cannabis has achieved great success with its brand and its predecessor, Platinum Vapes. In order to pay it forward, the company has founded a series of events designed to support their communities. In a recent giveback event, the brand distributed personal care packages and hot meals to over 400 unhoused individuals in the city, and similar events are planned for the future.
The cannabis space is steeped in social justice, whether it’s the fight for reform or supporting patients. Many good weed brands are promoting this ethos through legalization and beyond. By supporting companies who give back, consumers can rest assured that the new era of weed carries the same spirit as the underground days that came before.
