Good Green: Fighting the Good Fight

Launched in 2021, Good Green is a movement bringing cannabis, responsible consumers and change-making organizations together to drive real, sustained progress in Black and Brown communities negatively impacted by the failed War on Drugs.  

Read on to learn more about the brand’s mission, how their products support these initiatives and the grantees doing the groundwork in their communities.  

Plus, find out ways you can get involved, spread the word and help continue to grow Good Green’s grassroots community. 

The Good 

In order to reverse the harm caused by the War on Drugs, Good Green launched to provide impactful investments to nonprofits working in three key areas: education, employment and expungement.   

Education: Good Green believes in the importance of dedicating their focus and funds toward organizations enabling education and career training for individuals and communities directly impacted by the War on Drugs. 

Good Green’s team operates under the principle that when impassioned people come together, problems (even the most destructive, senseless and deeply ingrained ones) can be opportunities for progress. 

Employment: Good Green’s approach to creating employment progress is two-fold: 1) Striving to ensure employment opportunities in the cannabis industry are accessible to the communities most impacted by discriminatory cannabis laws. 2) Striving to provide a path towards broad and sustainable career opportunities for individuals directly affected by the War on Drugs. 

Expungement: Good Green strongly advocates for clemency towards all non-violent cannabis offenders nationwide. For those granted clemency, it’s our duty to offer resources and criminal justice services to help expunge their records. 

The Green 

Good Green was created with a desire to invest cannabis funds directly into the Black and Brown communities affected by the systemic racism of the War on Drugs. Every purchase of a Good Green product allows them to continue providing meaningful investments to nonprofits doing impactful work in underserved communities. (Which means all you need to do to get involved is make a responsible purchase.) 

Good Green offers affordable mixed bud flower products in a variety of sativa, indica and hybrid strains. Their products are available in the following states: Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia and New Jersey. Sizes vary by market, so connect with a team member at your local Dispensary to learn more. 

The Grantees 

While issues related to the War on Drugs are complex, Good Green believes how we work toward change–together–doesn’t need to be. 

They work to support organizations that are on the ground, educating, uplifting and creating opportunity in their communities. So far, they’ve provided Good Green Grants to eight nonprofits that embody their mission, vision and values. 

In fall of 2021, Good Green announced their first round of grantees:   

Innovation Works aims to help close Baltimore’s neighborhood, racial and wealth divides by connecting neighborhoods, entrepreneurs and investors to create jobs and long-term social enterprises that will ignite and transform local economies. 

Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity provides free legal advice and representation to low-income Philadelphia residents held back by their drug-related criminal records, seeking expungements and pardons and leading systemic reform.   

Why Not Prosper was founded by Reverend Dr. Michelle Anne Simmons, a formerly incarcerated woman. The organization provides pre-release mentoring to incarcerated women as well as residential and community services to help incarcerated Pennsylvania women successfully navigate the transition from prison to family reunification and reentry into society. 

This was followed by a second round of grantees in spring of 2022: 

Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change is rebuilding Chicago by engaging communities at a person-to-person level, empowering community members with the tools, resources and skills they need to be productive citizens. 

TakeRoot Justice provides legal, participatory research and policy support to strengthen the work of grassroots and community-based groups in New York City to dismantle racial, economic and social oppression. 

Greyston Foundation’s mission is to unlock the power of human potential through Inclusive Hiring, one person at a time. 

Growing Home has been a nonprofit leader in urban agriculture since 2002, serving the Greater Englewood community in Chicago with their paid innovative employment training program and local, healthy food access. 

i.c. stars provides talented, underserved young adults with an employer-focused technology job skills training program that helps them launch high-growth careers. 

The Search For New Grantees 

Currently, Good Green is on the lookout for their next round of grantees. The application period is open now through August 19th, 2022. 

Interested in helping Good Green grow their grassroots community? Spread the word! If you know someone leading change at a 501(c)3 that aligns with Good Green’s mission, encourage them to apply for a grant to receive unrestricted funding.*  

*(Must be 21+ to apply for a grant.)  

Good Green’s Latest Giveaway 

Good Green will be partnering with innovative Black-owned cannabis brand the Apothecarry Case for a sweepstakes that kicks off on June 19th. Five winners will receive a high-end, intelligently designed carrying case made to keep your stash fresh (and look good doing it). 

Visit Good Green on Instagram to enter and learn about this giveaway highlighting Black excellence. 

Good Green FAQs

Where can I learn more about Good Green? 

To find out more about Good Green’s mission, products and grantees, visit their website. To keep up with their latest news, connect on Instagram. 

Where can I buy Good Green products? 

Good Green products are available at RISE Dispensaries in the following states: Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia and New Jersey. 

How can I apply for a Good Green Grant? 

Do you work for a 501(c)3 seeking to improve marginalized communities affected by the War on Drugs? If you’re interested in an opportunity to receive unrestricted funding, fill out an application on Good Green’s website by providing more information about your organization.