Letter from Stephen Post of Last Prisoner Project

Josh Kesselman donates an additional $100k to the Last Prisoner Project to help free everyone incarcerated for cannabis charges through public education and advocacy, achieve systemic change

RAW Giving, the name given to the charitable efforts of HBI International, the company behind RAW Rolling Papers, is honored to share that the organization has donated an additional $100,000 to Last Prisoner Project for a total of $200,000 in contributions. The donation will help the organization, whose goal is to free everyone incarcerated for cannabis charges through public education and advocacy, achieve systemic change.

“Thank you to RAW Giving for the generous donation that will help continue our fight for the liberation of people still suffering from victimless cannabis offenses and fund our push for systemic change,” said Mary Bailey, managing director at Last Prisoner Project.

The recent contribution comes after RAW Giving donated $100,000 to Last Prisoner Project in December, 2023. The funds from that contribution were split evenly between providing re-entry support for those recently released from prison on cannabis-related charges and funding programs to assist those who were incarcerated under non-violent cannabis charges.

“RAW Giving and Last Prisoner Project share the belief that nobody should be in jail for victimless cannabis convictions. It’s an honor to help in their ongoing fight for reform and justice. We couldn’t have done it without our RAWESOME community,” said Josh Kesselman, CEO and founder of HBI International.

Josh, who was previously incarcerated for cannabis-related charges himself, is now a champion of cannabis justice and an example for all in the industry to follow. Last Prisoner Project is excited to partner with Josh further to raise awareness around our clemency efforts by uplifting his story as we work to get a pardon for his record and clemency for all those still serving time or burdened by collateral consequences.

Founded in 2019, Last Prisoner Project aims to reform America’s policy of cannabis prohibition and free those incarcerated due to the impacts of the War on Drugs. The organization works toward policy changes, provides re-entry support to newly released individuals, and engages in direct advocacy for criminal justice reform. The organization has previously shared real-life stories of constituents positively impacted by RAW Giving’s past donations, including Stephanie Shepard, who now serves as the Last Prisoner Project’s director of advocacy and sits on the board of directors.

About RAW Giving

RAW Giving is the name given to the charitable efforts of HBI, the company behind RAW, the internationally recognized brand known for its natural, slow burning rolling papers. Committed to making a positive impact, RAW Giving focuses on supporting social justice, environmental sustainability, and community building initiatives around the globe.

About Last Prisoner Project

The Last Prisoner Project is dedicated to freeing those incarcerated due to the War on Drugs, reuniting their families, and helping them rebuild their lives. As laws change, there remains a fundamental injustice for individuals whose conviction is no longer a crime. We work to repair these harms through legal intervention, constituent support, direct advocacy, and policy change.

Visit www.lastprisonerproject.org or text FREEDOM to 24365 to learn more.

Media Contact:
Stephen Post
Last Prisoner Project
stephen@lastprisonerproejct.org