Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Focuses On Criminal Justice Reform With New Non-Profit Cannabis Company
With 4/20 in a few days, Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry’s has made the timely announcement of his new registered non-profit cannabis company named BEN’S BEST BLNZ (B3). Exploring unmarked territory, B3 (for short) was established to advocate for criminal justice reform by giving 100% of its profits to Black entrepreneurs in the cannabis space. From blended pre-rolls to full-spectrum live resin vapes and potent flower, B3 will help a community that has experienced limited access to the cannabis industry.
To be exact, 80% of B3’s profits will go to help Black cannabis entrepreneurs. Additionally, a low-interest loan fund was established for Black, Indigenous, and people of color in cannabis. Both will be administered through a partnership with Oregon-based NuLeaf Project, which is a Black-led non-profit organization, while the other 20% will be split evenly between the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and the Last Prisoner Project.
With B3, you’ll find a focus on terps and quality craft cannabis. The protest-inspired packaging was designed by Eddie Opara of the design firm Pentagram, and prominently highlights Black artists and designers. It signifies the brand’s message of activism.
Cohen explained his inspiration behind the new non-profit to High Times, “I started BEN’S BEST BLNZ because for me and lots of other people today’s pot is just way too strong. I mean when I was in college, the pot we were smoking was about 6% THC. Today’s pot averages about 23%.” He continues, “I’m an entrepreneur and saw an opportunity for a business to fill that void in the market. But I’m lucky enough not to need more money, so I decided to incorporate as a non-profit organization whose purpose is to help right the wrongs of the War on Drugs.”
Motivated by justice, Cohen has been a major activist since he helped launch Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in 1978. Ben & Jerry’s is famously known for its business values and advocacy, even introducing ice cream flavors inspired by Jerry Garcia, Colin Kaepernick, and Phish to name a few. Cohen continues his advocacy with B3. On the website, you’ll find information about cannabis-related arrests of Black people, who experience it four times more than white people.
The BEN’S BEST BLENZ website reads, “Black people have borne the brunt of America’s failed five-decade War on Drugs, being arrested at four times the rate of whites, despite marijuana use being roughly equal among both groups. As pot becomes legalized in more states, the fight to decarcerate Blacks with cannabis-related charges and to support the formation of legitimate businesses to cultivate and sell marijuana is just the beginning.”
You can learn more and support on the non-profit’s website.
