Raw Rolling Papers (BBK/HBI), a renowned name in the international smoking industry, has made a donation of $100,000 to The JUSTÜS Foundation, a non-profit striving to aid legacy cannabis operators in transitioning into the legal cannabis industry. The donation forms part of the novel RAW Seeds Fellowships initiative, which seeks to create opportunities for those who participated in the cannabis trade before it was legalized.
The RAW Seeds Fellowships offers grants to three selected legacy operators, particularly those adversely affected by past cannabis laws. These individuals, defined as ones who relied on cannabis for their income or distributed it for sacramental or ceremonial purposes during prohibition, will receive up to $20,000 each to establish their own legal cannabis ventures.
Josh Kesselman, the founder of RAW, expressed the company's pride in empowering the pioneers of the cannabis industry. He stressed the importance of rewarding the grassroots entrepreneurs who built the industry in the face of prohibitive laws while the market transitions into legality.
Similarly, Scheril Murray Powell, COO of The JUSTÜS Foundation, emphasized the Foundation's commitment to diversifying the legal cannabis market by assisting legacy operators. She expressed the Foundation's dedication to helping create an inclusive, high-performing, compliant industry that serves the health and wellness of society.
Steve DeAngelo, the founder of The JUSTÜS Foundation, underlined the significance of honouring legacy operators, praising them as the brave pioneers who persisted during the period of prohibition. He shared his belief that the grants will provide crucial opportunities to these entrepreneurs, propelling them to leadership positions in the industry.
Additionally, the RAW Seeds fellowship program plans to allocate up to $15,000 in smaller grants to various legacy operators to foster their entry into the legal cannabis industry. The grant application window opens on August 1st, with details available at www.RAWJUSTUS.com. A unique twist to the program encourages successful awardees to 'pay it forward' by making similar donations, thus keeping the momentum going in the industry.
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