40 Tons Brand

When we set out on this journey in 2020 we didn't know what was going to happen? Think about it, when was the last time you saw the President of the United States release someone from prison? Its like winning the lottery, it just doesn't happen! A needle in a hay stack. A hail Mary! Well, before we knew ANYTHING and was dealing with the situation of our friend of 27 years at the time, now 30 years, being locked up over a nonviolent cannabis offense for LIFE! Thats right.....#LIFEINPRISONFORAPLANT! We made this documentary! We ended up never putting it out due to some difficulty by the people we were working with at the time. However, we will be releasing it soon once we finish filming the second half of the story! So, look out for that in 2024. But we did make a trailer for it! This was our first real video that showed who we were, and the why behind our mission! Turn the volume up because the sound design on this is TOP NOTCH! Prior to Cannabis, our COO Anthony Alegrete, M.A.O.L. had a background in film production, and wanted to showcase his Executive Producer / co-directing skills in this 13 minute mini documentary. We had no idea what would become of 40 Tons. We just knew that if we put one foot forward there was a strong possibility that we got our friend of out prison. This piece of work was truly a passion project and we are grateful for the 4 man team we had to produce it. Walid, Skyler, Emerson, and Anthony! We also cant forget about our editor Steven would nailed it! This video showcases the hypocrisy of Cannabis! Some are locked up for the very same thing we all get to do for a living and build wealth on. It just doesn't seem fair! Does it? Anyhow, as we approach the Super Bowl of Cannabis Conventions MJBizCon its a full circle moment for us. We get to host a massive letter writing campaign letting the Cannabis incarcerated know we have not forgotten about them. Please enjoy! Like, comment, share, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. And to all the creators out there, lets work! Let's do a project! We own all the equipment and have the expertise to produce television show level content. #FreeTheCannabisPrisoners #FreeThe40K #NoOneShouldBeInPrisonForCannabis

Thank you to the 420 420 Blog and Leah Maurer for this great article. "40 Tons Brings “Justice Row” to NECANN Boston, Paving the Way for Justice-Impacted Entrepreneurs This year’s NECANN Boston conference is more than just an industry gathering—it’s a moment of redemption and progress. Corvain Cooper, Co-Founder of 40 Tons, was once serving a life sentence without parole for a nonviolent cannabis offense. Had it not been for presidential clemency, he wouldn’t be here today, leading a company that’s redefining what justice and second chances look like in cannabis. His story is a stark reminder of the thousands of people still incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses while the industry thrives. Justice Row is about ensuring that those with lived experience in #cannabis prohibition now have a seat at the table in the legal industry. Because justice isn’t just a word—it’s action." Click on the 420 420 Blog link within this article to read more. https://lnkd.in/gKpPJxPk

PRESS RELEASE: 40 Tons Brings ‘Justice Row’ to NECANN Boston, Paving the Way for Justice-Impacted Entrepreneurs 40 Tons brings Justice Row to NECANN Boston, creating real opportunities for justice-impacted cannabis entrepreneurs. Equity isn’t a word—it’s action. BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES, March 11, 2025 /?EINPresswire.com?/ -- The?40 Tons?Foundation, the multi-state, social impact non-profit organization dedicated to justice & equity, is bringing its groundbreaking Justice Row activation to?NECANN?Boston 2025, taking place March 21-22 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Justice Row ensures that justice-impacted entrepreneurs—those who have paid the highest price for cannabis while others profit—are no longer left behind. More than just exhibit space, Justice Row is a movement—a powerful statement honoring those who sacrificed for the cannabis industry while creating direct pathways to investment, partnerships, & business expansion. Through complimentary booths at premier cannabis conferences like NECANN, 40 Tons is ensuring that these entrepreneurs gain visibility, resources, & access to real economic opportunities. “We are incredibly grateful that NECANN shares our vision of elevating justice-impacted founders,” said Loriel Alegrete, CEO of 40 Tons. “This isn’t about charity. It’s about providing a hand up, not a handout—because these businesses are real, innovative, & profitable. They just need access to the same opportunities as everyone else.” For Marc Shepard, Co-Founder of NECANN, partnering w/ 40 Tons was a natural fit. “Since NECANN’s inception, we’ve been committed to supporting social equity companies. Welcoming 40 Tons’ Justice Row to Boston this year is an extension of that mission. Real change happens when we create space for those who have been historically excluded, & we’re proud to be a part of that movement.” This year’s Justice Row activation is proudly presented by title sponsor?HPI Canna, a leading force in cannabis manufacturing. Kimberly T., CEO of HPI Canna, emphasized the alignment of this initiative w/ their broader mission. “We believe in 40 Tons’ mission to the core. As the largest cannabis manufacturer in the state of New York, this partnership was the perfect fit for the launch of our TEC Marketplace Legacy Brand Accelerator program, where we help legacy brands take a brand to market.” Other sponsors included Alibi, On Point Power, New Holland Group, & New Leaf EA Corporation. This year’s NECANN Boston conference is more than just an industry gathering—it’s a moment of redemption & progress. Corvain Cooper, Co-Founder of 40 Tons, was once serving a life sentence without parole for a nonviolent cannabis offense. Had it not been for presidential clemency, he wouldn’t be here today, leading a company that’s redefining what justice & second chances look like in cannabis. https://lnkd.in/geKcxyQK

Thank you Honeysuckle Media for the amazing article on Justice Row for NECANN Boston. "40 Tons?brings its transformative Justice Row initiative to NECANN Boston 2025, empowering justice-impacted entrepreneurs by providing a platform for visibility, investment, and partnerships. The event highlights the ongoing fight for equity and second chances in the legal #cannabisindustry. At the intersection of social equity and cannabis entrepreneurship, 40 Tons is rewriting the rulebook. This March, the social impact brand and advocacy powerhouse will bring its groundbreaking Justice Row initiative to NECANN Boston, one of the largest cannabis industry gatherings on the East Coast. Held at the Hynes Convention Center on March 21-22, this year’s?NECANN?is set to become more than just another expo. It’s a battleground for fairness, a rallying cry for the disenfranchised, and a massive step in the fight for justice in the cannabis space. The Justice Row activation, presented by 40 Tons, is not just a collection of booths at a trade show. It’s a movement. It’s a reclamation of opportunity for those who’ve been shut out of the cannabis industry after paying the highest price for a drug that is now legal in many states. While cannabis billionaires continue to build empires on the backs of communities harmed by the War on Drugs, Justice Row offers a hand up—not a handout—to those who’ve been most directly impacted." Click the link Honeysuckle Link within this page to read the full article. https://lnkd.in/g6QaAZUM

We can not say this statement enough! WE CAN NOT DO WHAT WE DO, WITHOUT THE HELP FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU! It takes a village, community, army, or whatever you want to call it to build community! From the very beginning we have shined light on the injustices of #cannabis prohibition. We have created innovative ways to showcase our mission that 'No One Should Be In Prison For Cannabis", all while doing it completely boot strapped! Hard work, hustle, and grit! No board of directors, investors, or rich parents! Just the 3 of us working tirelesly to make a difference! We may not be the biggest but we definitely can compete with the best of brands and organizations doing the same thing! Justice Row is our initiative that we created to help others like us. Many justice impacted founders don't have the funds or means to attend these large trade shows. So we figured out a way to make it happen for them. But without the help from our sponsors, we would NEVER be able to do it! Thank you to Marc Shepard for believing in the vision. We remember when you 1st came by our Equity row installation at MJBizCon 2024 and saw what we had did and said "lets bring this to NECANN." Your passion and commitment to social equity is amazing. THANK YOU! BIG SHOUT OUT and thank you goes to HPI Canna for believing in what we are doing and being our title sponsor. You have stepped up and put your money where your mouth is. We cant wait to help you launch your new TEC MARKETPLACE BRAND ACCELERATOR where you help legacy brands come to market. Thank you for believing in us and making this happen! ?? Thank you Jamie L. Pearson of the New Holland Group for always contributing to what we have going on! You've always shown love and you do it not just for us but many others. Much Love & Respect. Big ups to Angelita Green EA, Enrolled to practice before IRS of New Leaf EA Corporation who also has stepped up for 40 Tons. You too, are a beacon of light in this industry and truly believe in the community. Thank you! Marianne Cursetjee, MBA ???? of Alibi is hard working strong woman (in fact all 4 of these companies are ran by strong woman leaders) that is growing a brand in Oregon with expansion in other states. When she reached out and said how can she contribute we were so thankful. She is a sponsor and participating in the letter writing campaign. Thank you! Jim Kordoban of On Point Power believes in this mission and also is contributing! Big thank you to you Jim. We appreciate you stepping up! And to all of the crowd funding sponsors that have donated the 2's and fews. IT ALL HELPS! https://lnkd.in/gy-fZRMB (If you feel inclined to support we could use it, we are still a couple thousand short of our goal) Thank you! Justice Row is a labor of love and we're honored that its traveling all the way across to the country to the east coast! See you in Boston!

F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "Never confuse a single defeat w/ a final defeat." 2nd chances are what make the #cannabisindustry great! Introducing the Justice Row Participants of NECANN Boston: Trade Roots - Founded by Jesse Pitts , who served?18mo in prison for a nonviolent cannabis offense, Trade Roots is a vertically integrated cannabis company in Wareham, MA. Built on resilience & hometown pride, Trade Roots is proof that second chances create thriving legacies. Top Shelf Cannaseurs is a licensed cannabis manufacturer & indoor cultivator built on dedication, resilience, & second chances. Founded by Army veteran?Ryan Cohen & Marine veteran Scott Bulkeley, TSC formed a joint venture w/ Glorious Cannabis Company in 2020, cementing its place as a top brand in the industry. Ryan, a social equity participant, served jail time for cannabis distribution & is now committed to ensuring that veterans & justice-impacted individuals have real opportunities in the legal #cannabis space. Paper Crane Cannabis - The?first Social Equity-owned outdoor cannabis farm on the East Coast, built by legacy operators & war on drugs veterans. Co-founder Boey Bertold served 2.5 years in prison for cannabis trafficking, & now, alongside his wife Lisa, is growing legal, sun-grown cannabis w/ their family team—proving that resilience & passion can rewrite the story. BakedBot AI - is helping independent cannabis retailers compete & thrive w/ smart, accessible marketing tools. Built to level the playing field, it ensures justice-impacted entrepreneurs have the same opportunities as big corporations. Founded by Martez Knox, who was arrested & convicted in 2001 & 2018 for cannabis possession & delivery, BakedBot AI is proof that second chances create real change. PIF Pharmz - Founded by Erin Thurmond, who was arrested in 2019 for a cannabis offense & sent to prison, PIF Pharmz is one of New York’s earliest cannabis brands, built from the underground to the legal market. Now a leader in the industry, Erin continues to advocate for legacy operators while awaiting his NYS Microbusiness license, ensuring those who paved the way have a seat at the table. The 1937 Group - A Black-owned, vertically integrated cannabis company committed to ownership, equity, & economic empowerment for communities harmed by the War on Drugs. Led by CEO Ambrose Jackson, a survivor of gun violence & cannabis-related offenses, The 1937 Group is building bridges for Black & Brown entrepreneurs to enter & thrive in the industry. The company's reach is further amplified through the work of The 1937 Foundation, which provides mental health & healing services to address the impact of trauma in Black & Brown communities. We also have a special visual from the April Arrasate & Core Cannabis Museum & which is a dynamic space in Boston that exposes the insanity & inequity of American drug policy through immersive, changing exhibits. For over a century, cannabis has been used as a weapon of division.

? Happy International Women’s Day! ? Today, we honor the women who hold it down for their families, their businesses, and their communities. Women are the backbone of the family—nurturing, caring, and ensuring the household stays strong. When men go to work or face hardship, it is often the woman who carries the weight, making impossible tasks look effortless. In business, women bring brilliance, resilience, and a unique perspective that elevates everything they touch. As Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.” Women in the workplace redefine professionalism, leadership, and innovation. Michelle Obama reminds us, “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” Today, we honor you. We see you. We celebrate you. Without you, there is no us. ???? Frogive us for not naming all the women we know there are just too many to count and tag on Linkedin: Loriel Alegrete Rachel Wright, CPA, MST Veronica Castillo Kathleen Saucerman Jamie L. Pearson Dr. Roz McCarthy Gia Morón Angelita Green EA, Enrolled to practice before IRS Khadijah Tribble Kimberly T. JM Balbuena Ishqa Hillman Kelly Riddle Sephida Artis-Mills Sarah Sathre Marianne Cursetjee, MBA ???? Mariesa Sun-Saenz Zoe Wilder Kenya Alexander-Davis and sooooooooooooooo many more.

Thank you Fat Nugs Magazine for highlighting our newest opportunity for companies that need HR services. We teamed up with Greenleaf HR to provide a 40% discount to social equity businesses. This is HUGE! For those that rain a business and deal with w2 know the crazy amount of costs these can be! Greenleaf HR believes in giving back and this is their way of doing it! Scan the QR code and learn more! Big thank you to Joel Pearson and his team for making this happen!! Find us at NECANN at Justice Row to be your copy of the prisoners edition of fat nugs!

Attention #CannabisIndustry in #NewYork Join Jeffrey Hoffman aka Mr. Ask Me Anything on Lobby Day in Albany, New York on March 11, 2025! For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/gkNmt_aW

Imagine smoking weed in the streets without cops harassing! Wouldn't that be nice! For many, that’s reality. But for far too many others, it was a jail or prison sentence. Years of probation or a ding on your record thats affected employment, housing, you name it! Introducing Justice Row Justice Row (formerly known as Equity Row) is a groundbreaking initiative that ensures justice-impacted cannabis businesses are not left behind in the very industry they helped build. This activation provides complimentary exhibit booths at major cannabis conferences nationwide, giving underrepresented entrepreneurs a platform to showcase their brands, connect with key industry players, and access real economic opportunities. But Justice Row is more than an exhibit space—it’s a statement. Its a place to honor those who have sacrificed for the cannabis plant while creating a direct pipeline for investment, partnerships, and business growth. Here, innovative and resilient companies gain the visibility, resources, and access they deserve, helping to shape a more equitable and inclusive #cannabisindustry. Justice is more than words—it’s action. ?? This is why we built Justice Row. ?? We started this initiative at MJBizCon 2024 and are now taking it to Boston for NECANN 2025. Big shout out and thank you to Marc Shepard for believing us! Marc has done so much for the Equity Community since he started his conference years ago. At 40 Tons we are constantly reinventing ourselves by finding new ways to give back, making the most of what we have & finding strategic ways to create real impact. Come by our activation in Boston and meet some incredible Justice Impact founders!