Freedom Grow is an all-volunteer effort to help cannabis prisoners regain freedom while supporting their sacrifices with commissary money, prison outreach, public education, family outreach, and more.
Freedom Grow, a grassroots volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the longest-running organization of its kind, was founded in 2015 and is operated by individuals who have personally lived through the devastating effects of cannabis prohibition.
Since its inception a decade ago, this tight-knit team has helped countless prisoners and their families and has blazed the trail for cannabis-related prisoner advocacy, leading to the formation of several more such groups. But, with nearly 335 individuals still on the Freedom Grow outreach list, this organization sets itself apart from the others by recognizing those individuals as just that – individual human beings, each facing unique challenges and circumstances with unique needs.
Fulfilling those needs for hundreds of prisoners locked up for non-violent cannabis-related crimes is at the root of the Freedom Grow mission.
Of course, the ultimate goal with each of these individuals is to see them freed from incarceration as soon as possible. However, every single day leading up to that goal being achieved is a day that Freedom Grow aims to make better not only for the prisoners themselves but for their loved ones as well.
Operating on a limited budget year after year Freedom Grow relies on generous donations from compassionate companies and benefactors, as well as from folks like you. Such fundraising is full-time work on its own, and the challenge of securing enough funds to have the intended impact and results is only compounded by the number of similarly styled groups that are working to lock down that limited pool of resources.
This is why it is important to recognize the many ways in which Freedom Grow stands apart, why it has been able to last so long and help so many people, and why it deserves your support.
One Team, One Dream: When You Support Freedom Grow You DIRECTLY Support Cannabis Prisoners
A full spectrum approach to prisoner rights advocacy and cannabis reform, the Freedom Grow Wish Program helps prisoners with commissary money, books, magazines, family outreach, public education, clemency requests, and more.
Unlike many organizations that only provide general services, Freedom Grow provides personalized, compassionate support based on the real-world needs of each cannabis POW by way of the Wish Program, which includes:
- Court Support and Advocacy Campaigns: Freedom Grow has long been an ally to the victims of cannabis prohibition, providing court support to individuals facing cannabis-related charges by organizing letter drives for judges and assisting with advocacy campaigns. You have likely seen Free Grow organizing ongoing letter campaigns at events, collecting signatures to send to judges, the President, and the White House Pardons Office. Over the years, we’ve sent more than 25,000 letters advocating for clemency.
- Comprehensive Commissary Support: Freedom Grow uses your donations directly to make sure that cannabis prisoners can access basic necessities like food, toiletries, and communication with loved ones. This support includes emergency commissary funds for everyone on the group’s outreach list along with a rotating commissary program that provides regular support to those who aren’t being helped by other organizations.
- Strengthening Family Bonds: The Wish Program allows prisoners to send thoughtful gifts to their loved ones on holidays and special occasions year-round. Despite the barriers of incarceration, these gifts help prisoners stay connected with their families and participate in important milestones.
- Stationery Program for Children: To foster communication between incarcerated parents and their children, Freedom Grow puts your donation directly into action to provide stationery supplies – including pens, paper, and stamps. This encourages letter writing and helps maintain a tangible connection beyond phone calls and emails.
- Holiday and School Drives: Fueled by your generous donations, the Freedom Grow Wish Program hosts annual drives to support the children of cannabis prisoners. The Holiday Drive includes sending gift cards, commissary funds, and special gifts to families during the holiday season. The donation-driven Freedom Grow School Drive provides essential school supplies, helping children succeed academically and easing the financial burden on families.
- Birthday Recognition: Your donations to Freedom Grow helps ensure that every cannabis prisoner on their outreach list feels remembered on their special day by receiving a personalized birthday card and commissary money annually. This heartfelt gesture reminds them they are not forgotten, bringing light and joy even in the darkest places.
- Educational Support through Books and Magazines: The Freedom Grow Wish Program uses a portion of its resources to supply books and magazines to help prisoners stay educated, entertained, and connected to the outside world. This initiative encourages growth, learning, and meaningful engagement during incarceration.
- Newsletters – Connection from the Heart: Freedom Grow’s newsletters go beyond updates – they are lifelines, providing prisoners with a sense of community, connection, and hope. Each newsletter is crafted with care, ensuring prisoners feel remembered and supported.
- Media Outreach & Social Awareness: Freedom Grow uses longtime connections in the cannabis and traditional media spaces to expand the reach of their messaging and raise awareness of the plight of these non-violent cannabis prisoners. A recent collaboration with Fat Nugs Magazine, Beard Bros Media, and Jailed For Weed tapped into the grassroots of the cannabis community and not only raised awareness about this ongoing injustice but also raised a substantial amount of funds to help Freedom Grow continue their mission. This effort is augmented by collaborative social media campaigns, earned media and event appearances, and mainstream press releases and activations.
- Clemency Support: For close to ten years, Freedom Grow has advocated on behalf of cannabis prisoners seeking clemency by submitting letters of support from prisoners, their families, and advocates to the White House Pardons Office. To date, the organization has sent over 25,000 such letters in support of cannabis POWs. With permission, the team at Freedom Grow can help strengthen existing applications and assist new applicants in filing for clemency, amplifying their voices and their calls for freedom.
- Reentry Support: The donation-driven Freedom Grow reentry program provides funds for essential resources like bus passes, cell phones, and clothing to help individuals transition back into society after prison. Your financial support will allow Freedom Grow to expand this program and continue supporting successful reentry for those they serve.
Whether it is sending commissary funds, ensuring that a prisoner can stay connected to their loved ones, fighting for their freedom, or helping them reenter society after release, you can see that the Freedom Grow Wish Program is a multifaceted source of compassion, hope, and tangible resources for the folks they are fighting for.
Unlike larger organizations with paid staff and robust fundraising operations, Freedom Grow relies on donations from individuals, brands, and organizations who believe in this cause. While Freedom Grow has managed to accomplish extraordinary work with the limited resources they have, the demand for those services continues to grow.
Cannabis prisoners paved the way for your business to profit. To continue fulfilling their mission and expanding their impact, Freedom Grow needs your support. With additional funding, the group can extend its reach, improve its programs, and hire staff to enhance its operations, allowing this non-profit volunteer organization to live up to its full potential and serve even more individuals until they are all free.
For more information and to donate, please visit https://freedomgrow.org/
