What Last Prisoner Project does

Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in September 2019 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to repairing the harms caused by cannabis criminalization in the United States. Its core thesis is that tens of thousands of individuals remain incarcerated or carry collateral consequences for cannabis conduct that has since been legalized, while a multibillion-dollar legal cannabis industry has emerged in parallel. LPP addresses this mismatch through three integrated lines of work: (1) the Cannabis Justice Initiative (CJI), a flagship legal intervention program matching constituents with a network of more than 350 pro bono attorneys across 76 law firms for clemency, compassionate release, resentencing, and early termination of supervised release; (2) a policy team that has helped pass retroactive record-clearance and expungement legislation in multiple states including California (AB 1706), Hawaii, New Mexico, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Virginia; and (3) direct constituent support through a Support Fund that has distributed over $3.8 million in reentry grants, commissary support, and family assistance to more than 400 constituents.

Underlying LPP's work is a service-delivery model — not a technology platform — built on human capital, pro bono legal expertise, advocacy networks, and corporate partnerships. The organization's revenue is derived entirely from donations: individual recurring and one-time contributions (including via cryptocurrency, workplace giving, and estate planning), corporate giving through the Partners for Freedom program, point-of-sale round-ups via the Roll It Up For Justice program at 750+ dispensaries (integrated natively through Dutchie), the annual Journey to Justice Gala, and donor-advised funds. Its go-to-market is community-led, channel-partner, and event-driven: grassroots volunteer organizing, a Letter Writing Program (22,000+ letters written to 150+ incarcerated constituents), Cannabis Unity Week of Action, award-winning advocacy campaigns (Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Clio, Webby), and high-visibility co-branded partnerships with Ben & Jerry's, Lucky Brand, and Reebok x Pleasures. LPP holds a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, placing it in the top 0.1% of charities nationally on transparency metrics, and has secured 24 presidential clemency grants across both Biden and Trump administrations while clearing more than 250,000 cannabis convictions cumulatively.

Name

Last Prisoner Project

Legal name

Last Prisoner Project

Website

https://lastprisonerproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Last Prisoner Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2019 that combines pro bono legal intervention, state-level policy advocacy, and direct reentry grants to free individuals incarcerated for cannabis offenses and clear related criminal records across 31 U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Criminal Justice Reform & Nonprofit Advocacy

NAICS

Parole Offices and Probation Offices (922150)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Corrections (Probation, Parole & Reentry) (BPAIAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reentry, Rehabilitation & Reintegration Programs (Education, Vocational, Case Management) (BPAKANAH), Criminal Defense (BPAHAAAN)

Keywords

• Criminal justice reform
• Cannabis clemency advocacy
• Prisoner reentry support
• Nonprofit legal services
• Record expungement assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Recurring monthly donors and one-time donations from individuals supporting cannabis justice reform. Donors can give through website, cryptocurrency, vehicle donation, and workplace giving programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Annual contributions from Partners for Freedom program, point-of-sale 'Roll It Up for Justice' donations collected at dispensaries, event sponsorships, and co-branded campaigns with cannabis brands.
3. Donor Advised Funds: Donations received through Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and other DAF providers.
4. Merchandise Sales: LPP Store selling merchandise with proceeds supporting programs.
5. Estate Planning / Legacy Gifts: Bequests, wills, and estate planned gifts ensuring long-term funding.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Last Prisoner Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides pro bono legal representation to individuals incarcerated for cannabis offenses through its Cannabis Justice Initiative, advocates for state and federal policy reform including automatic expungement and clemency legislation, and delivers direct financial support (reentry grants, commissary assistance, family support) to justice-impacted constituents and their families. The organization operates a network of 350+ pro bono attorneys across 76 law firms and has secured the release or sentence modification of 300+ individuals while supporting the clearing of more than 250,000 cannabis offenses nationwide.

Product overview

Last Prisoner Project operates as a nonprofit organization with a unified mission to free cannabis prisoners and repair the harms of cannabis criminalization. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on its Cannabis Justice Initiative (CJI), which provides direct legal intervention through pro bono attorney matching for clemency, compassionate release, resentencing, and early termination of supervised release. Complementary support services include the Reentry Grant Program and Commissary Support Fund for financial assistance, the Letter Writing Program for advocacy support, and the Roll It Up For Justice point-of-sale donation program at dispensaries. The organization also runs the Partners for Freedom corporate giving program, annual advocacy campaigns like 420 for Freedom, and the Journey to Justice Gala fundraising event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cannabis Justice Initiative (CJI): Legal services program aimed at reducing or overturning the sentences of individuals still incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses through clemency, compassionate release, resentencing, and early termination of supervised release.
• Partners for Freedom
• Roll It Up For Justice
• Stickers for Change
• Journey to Justice Gala
• Support Fund

Products and services

• Cannabis Justice Initiative (CJI) LPP's flagship legal services program that provides pro bono representation through 400+ attorneys and 76 law firms nationwide to secure release of those unjustly imprisoned through clemency, compassionate release, resentencing, and early termination of supervised release. Services are free to qualifying constituents incarcerated for cannabis offenses.
• Early Termination of Supervised Release (ETSR) Program Program that helps constituents currently on supervised release move forward with their lives without the burden of ongoing government supervision, through legal intervention and filing of motions.
• Reentry Grant Program Disburses one-time cash grants to participants in early release programs and their dependents to help secure housing, transportation, medical care, and other urgent reentry needs. Has distributed over $2M in grants to 400+ constituents since 2021.
• Commissary Support Fund Provides one-time cash grants to eligible incarcerated constituents and/or their dependents to help meet needs while behind bars, including funding for commissary accounts.
• Letter Writing Program Enables supporters to send letters to currently incarcerated cannabis prisoners to remind them they are not forgotten and that advocates are fighting for their freedom.
• Roll It Up For Justice Point-of-sale donation program that empowers customers at participating dispensaries to round up their purchases to support cannabis justice. Has been launched at over 750 dispensaries nationwide across 30+ states.
• Partners for Freedom Flagship corporate giving program for values-aligned companies making sustained impact through annual contributions, with tailored recognition, exclusive updates, and opportunities to support release and reentry programs. Partners include Dutchie, GTI, RAW, Apotheca, iAnthus, Cheba Hut, and Native Roots.
• Journey to Justice Gala Annual fundraising gala honoring constituents who have returned home and are advocating for others, celebrating progress toward ending cannabis incarceration while raising critical funds.
• Cannabis Industry Education Partnership with cannabis industry education providers to offer constituents scholarships for cannabis certification courses, educational programs, webinars, and trainings covering topics relevant to reentry.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ years of unjust prison time saved
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Ben and Jerry'sflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20252025 year-long advocacy campaign with Ben & Jerry's encouraging 50,000+ individuals to write letters to their Governors demanding cannabis justice for those incarcerated.
• DutchieflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Dutchie is the premier cannabis platform powering dispensary commerce. Longstanding partnership with LPP to advance criminal justice reforms, having raised over $2 million for the cause. Dutchie provides point-of-sale, ecommerce, loyalty & marketing, and payments services.
• iAnthuscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020iAnthus has been a steadfast supporter since 2020, demonstrating commitment to justice and reform within the cannabis industry. Actively fundraising at registers of their Northeast Market dispensaries.
• RAWcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019RAW is a cannabis accessories company whose founder Josh Kesselman acknowledges biased cannabis laws and supports those still serving time for something now legal. Donations help individuals recently released and programs supporting reentry.
• Green Thumb Industries (GTI)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGTI is a proud partner supporting LPP's mission to end cannabis criminalization injustice. Through annual 'Round Up for Justice' campaign, GTI empowers customers across their dispensaries to round up purchases in support of LPP's work.
• ApothecacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis dispensary chain with 45+ locations throughout the Southeast. Proud to support LPP in its mission to right the wrongs of unjust cannabis sentences and damage caused to people, families and communities of color.
• Cheba HutminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis-themed restaurant chain founded by Scott Jennings. Acknowledges there is still a long road ahead to full justice reform for the plant and its users.
• Native Roots Cannabis Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNative Roots sees it as an industry responsibility to effect change for thousands experiencing unjustified imprisonment over cannabis charges. VP of Marketing Buck Dutton expresses gratitude for LPP's hard work.
• Lucky BrandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLucky Brand's 2023 Highest Quality Capsule Collection featured cannabis-inspired styles and raised funds for LPP's efforts. Campaign highlighted and raised funds for Last Prisoner Project's cannabis justice work.
• Reebok x PleasurescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerReebok and Pleasures partnered to create a capsule collection shedding light on ongoing cannabis incarceration. A portion of proceeds were donated to LPP.
• WeedmapscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeedmaps hosted a roundtable discussion featuring LPP team members, M1, and Talib Kweli, demonstrating commitment to advancing positive societal change cannabis brings.
• PAXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreated co-branded video content 'PAX: A Human Toll' with LPP spotlighting the human cost of cannabis incarceration.
• Learn BrandscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner For Freedom providing cannabis industry education courses. LPP course completion gives discount to LPP webstore. Colorado employees can receive special rewards from Wana.
• Seed TalentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis industry's leading employee enablement platform creating pathways to employment for justice-impacted individuals. Directs employers to historically underutilized talent.
• Cannabis Unity CoalitionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLPP is a founding member of the Cannabis Unity Coalition—the largest bipartisan cannabis advocacy coalition in the U.S. Coalition works year-round to pressure Congress and the President to legalize cannabis, free those still incarcerated, and clear criminal records.
• Goodwin LawcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPioneer level sponsor of Journey to Justice Gala 2025. Law firm demonstrating support for cannabis justice reform.
• Edie ParkercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron level sponsor of Journey to Justice Gala 2025. Brand's give-back collection supports LPP.
• General HydroponicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron level sponsor of Journey to Justice Gala 2025.
• GothamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron level sponsor of Journey to Justice Gala 2025.
• Grand NationalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPatron level sponsor. Co-founded by Carmelo Anthony. Supports LPP mission to advance cannabis justice.
• Canopy USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner level sponsor of Journey to Justice Gala 2025.
• ConBudcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNYC dispensary opened by LPP constituent Mario Ramos after serving 13 months for cannabis. Partner level gala sponsor.
• Ethos CannabisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner level sponsor of Journey to Justice Gala 2025.
• PuffCominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner level sponsor of Journey to Justice Gala 2025.
• Happy EddiecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting LPP. Owner Eddie Osefo: 'I lend a voice to such a noble cause, so that everyone who supports Happy Eddie through purchasing my products will know that no one should be in prison for something that is now legal in many states.'

Scale indicators26 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• JustLeadershipUSA: National organization led by directly impacted individuals focused on reducing the U.S. prison population and supporting reentry. Directly comparable to LPP's lead-with-the-impacted leadership model and reentry grants.
• Drug Policy Alliance: The largest U.S. nonprofit focused on drug policy reform, including cannabis decriminalization and retroactive relief. Highly comparable to LPP's mission on cannabis legalization, clemency, and expungement, with a broader drug-war scope.
• Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM): Advocacy organization focused on reforming mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Highly comparable to LPP's clemency and resentencing work, particularly for individuals serving long drug-related sentences.
• Marijuana Policy Project: One of the largest national cannabis policy organizations, focused on state-level legalization and federal reform. Highly comparable issue-overlap with LPP, although MPP is primarily a lobbying entity rather than a direct legal services provider.
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL): Bar association for criminal defense lawyers that awarded LPP its 2023 Champion of Justice Rights Restoration Award. Overlapping ecosystem in criminal defense representation and grassroots public defense reform.
• NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws): Long-standing cannabis policy reform nonprofit focused on legalization, consumer rights, and reducing criminal penalties. Operates in the same issue space as LPP, though more focused on legislative advocacy than direct legal representation.

Emerging players

• Root & Rebound: California-based nonprofit providing legal services and reentry support to people with criminal records. Directly comparable to LPP's Cannabis Justice Initiative and record clearance work, with a state-level rather than national footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Vera Institute of Justice: Major criminal justice reform organization working on sentencing, reentry, and justice policy. Comparable to LPP's reform and reentry mission but operates as a much larger, multi-issue criminal justice think-tank and practitioner organization.
• The Sentencing Project: National research and advocacy organization focused on sentencing reform, racial disparity, and reducing incarceration. Comparable to LPP's policy advocacy and clemency work, though working more broadly across drug and non-drug offenses.
• Brennan Center for Justice: Major nonpartisan law and policy institute working on criminal justice reform, voting rights, and constitutional issues. Liz Budnitz of LPP previously worked at the Brennan Center, indicating personnel and thematic overlap in felony disenfranchisement and criminal justice policy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lastprisonerproject
• Instagraminstagram.com/lastprisonerproject
• Xx.com/lastprisonerprj

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Last Prisoner Project