Pot Company Uses Proceeds to Help Kids Taken From Undocumented Parents
A cannabis company in Oregon has teamed up with a dispensary to help kids taken from undocumented parents. Leif Goods will donate $1 for each of its chocolate bars sold at Farma during the next week. In the last six weeks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has separated nearly 2,000 migrant children from their parents.
Carrie Solomon and Jody Ake own cannabis edibles and topicals manufacturer Leif Goods in Portland. Solomon told High Times that she and her partner wanted to do something to help the kids.
“We feel strongly that this policy is stepping past a border of decency and humanity, and feel compelled to step up to create awareness and financial support to those who can be on the ground assisting in a tangible manner,” Solomon said.
Solomon also explained the program is an easy way for people to come together in a positive way. For every cannabis-infused chocolate bar Farma sells between June 18-24, Leif Goods will donate a buck to help the children.
“It’s simple,” she said. “We wanted to do something to help, and also be able to empower others to feel like they were contributing. This is why we are simply donating $1 from each sale of our chocolate bars being sold at Portland-based Farma for this week. We will track sales via Metrc to ensure accuracy and transparency.”
Solomon said that Leif Goods will donate the money to the group Kids in Need of Defense. The nonprofit organization provides legal representation to undocumented children appearing in immigration court.
Leif Goods produces several varieties of vegan artisanal chocolate bars with fair trade organic chocolate. Varieties of cannabis-infused creations include mint hibiscus and peanut butter and jelly.
‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy Separating Families, Kids Held In Cages
In May, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration had adopted a “zero tolerance policy” for people caught crossing the border. The Border Patrol would now refer undocumented migrants to the Department of Justice and then be prosecuted for illegal entry. Officials are even separating families seeking asylum in the United States from dangerous conditions in their home countries.
Since Sessions announced the crackdown, the government has removed almost 2,000 children from a nearly equal number of adults. The DHS is now housing the children in facilities ranging from tent cities to repurposed Walmart stores.
Reporters visited one facility housing more 1,100 adults and children in McAllen, Texas. An Associated Press report described the scene:
“Inside an old warehouse in South Texas, hundreds of children wait in a series of cages created by metal fencing. One cage had 20 children inside. Scattered about are bottles of water, bags of chips and large foil sheets intended to serve as blankets.”
Solomon of Leif Goods said that the plight of the children prompted her company to act. She also said she hoped that others would follow the example and find a way to protest the new policy.
“We encourage everyone to stand up for their views and implore other businesses to use their influence to be on the right side of history,” she said.
The post Pot Company Uses Proceeds to Help Kids Taken From Undocumented Parents appeared first on High Times.
