Shawn ‘JAY-Z’ Carter and his cannabis brand, MONOGRAM, a part of The Parent Company (“TPCO Holding Corp.”) house of brands, launch a nationwide awareness campaign focused on cannabis law.
The out-of-home and digital series draws attention to the hypocrisy of current regulations governing cannabis throughout the United States, with shockingly factual headlines set against the backdrop of eight striking portraits of individuals who have been charged for cannabis-related offenses. With 45 years having passed following the onset of the War on Drugs, MONOGRAM‘s campaign highlights the lack of progress made since, along with the outsized consequences still facing those who have been victimized by its lasting effects across the U.S.
Carter said:
Cannabis laws are out of date and disproportionately cruel and punishing when compared to the rest of the legal code. We still don’t have proper regulation for texting and driving in Missouri, but staying home and smoking weed will get you locked up.
I created this campaign to amplify the voices of those who have been penalized for the very same thing that venture capitalists are now prospering from with the emerging legal cannabis market. Far too often we forget that these are real people whose everyday lives and futures have been affected by this outdated legislature – people like Bryan Rone, who can no longer pursue a career in sales because of a cannabis-related conviction in 2003.
Through each and every initiative, MONOGRAM seeks to bring dignity to cannabis culture, which cannot be accomplished without righting the wrongs of the past. Steve Allan, CEO of The Parent Company, shared the following:
One of the founding principles of The Parent Company was to foster social equity in cannabis. The disproportionate effects of the War on Drugs have been devastating, and we believe it is our responsibility to lay the stage to begin the process of righting the many wrongs against the Black and other minority communities.
With this goal in mind, The Parent Company has funded a social equity ventures program to give Black and other minority entrepreneurs equal opportunity for participation in the legal cannabis industry. Led by Shawn ‘JAY-Z’ Carter and Desiree Perez (CEO of Roc Nation), this program will identify and fund the next generation of cannabis business leaders who are building value for their communities and diversity in our industry. The social equity ventures program will officially launch in the coming months.
In addition to the social equity ventures program, The Parent Company is empowering our house of brands to amplify this call to action as a part of their own advocacy campaigns. We are proud of MONOGRAM’s ground-breaking efforts to address such an important issue.
MONOGRAM is the first cannabis line introduced by Shawn ‘JAY-Z’ Carter, marking a new chapter in the space defined by dignity, care, and consistency. Honoring the craft of cannabis and the artisans who have been working with the plant for millennia, the MONOGRAM team uses careful strain selection, a premium flower grown in California, and meticulous cultivation practices to ensure a superior smoke.
Launching with four proprietary strains designated “light,” “medium” or “heavy,” MONOGRAM distinguishes each of its products with a clearly defined sensory experience.
