Formerly Incarcerated Music Producer Weldon Angelos Launches Cannabis Brand To Empower Ex-Offenders And Criminal Justice Reform

Weldon Angelos, prominent social justice activist and founder of The Weldon Project and Mission [Green] has launched REEFORM, a new cannabis brand aiming to rectify the injustices caused by the failed War on Drugs and to help rebuild the lives of those impacted by prohibition, of which he was one.

Angelos served 13 years of a 55-year prison sentence before receiving a pardon in 2020. Since his release, he has become a tireless activist, funding and fighting for social change for those who are still serving prison time for cannabis-related offenses. 

"Tens of thousands of people are still incarcerated across the country serving cannabis-related sentences, mostly people of color," Angelos said. "I received a 55-year sentence for selling less than $1,000 worth of cannabis and now I am able to sell it legally with the explicit aim of helping those still incarcerated by selling top-shelf flower."

He said that REEFORM will advocate for the release of those unjustly incarcerated, help them rebuild their lives post-release and to advance cannabis policy reform.

Luke Scarmazzo: Miscarriage Of Justice

Angelos’ most recent work resulted in the release of Luke Scarmazzo, who served nearly 15 years for violating federal drug laws while operating one of the nation's first licensed medical dispensaries in California.

Scarmazzo attended the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Miami this past spring and we’re hoping to see him again in Chicago. Angelos is confirmed for the upcoming conference in Chicago where he’ll tell his amazing personal story and bring us up to date on his social justice work and new cannabis brand. So be sure to join us at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on Sept 27-28. All information is available on bzcannabis.com.

About REEFORM

The brand will work to "release, rebuild, and reform" the lives of those incarcerated for cannabis offenses by working directly with those individuals to assist in their release as well as help to rebuild their lives by offering scholarships to Oaksterdam University, the world's first cannabis college,” Angelos shared. “The brand will also seek to build supply and retail partnerships with businesses that are owned by or that employ individuals trying to reintegrate into the cannabis industry following periods of incarceration for cannabis. In addition, REEFORM will engage with lawmakers and policymakers on a local and state level to aid those who have been hurt by the war on drugs."

More On Weldon Angelos

Twenty years after his arrest and incarceration for selling cannabis to an undercover informant, Angelos has reclaimed his life and is now able to participate in the legal market as an entrepreneur via REEFORM.

The brand is launching with two premium indoor strains that will initially be available at Farmacy, The Pottery and the Natural Healing Center (NHC) in California, with state and nationwide releases to follow.

"The REEFORM brand aims to complement the work we are doing with Mission [Green] by providing educational and employment resources to help previously incarcerated individuals restart their lives," Angelos said.