Advocacy & Equity

The Hawthorne Social Justice Fund

The Hawthorne Social Justice Fund, funded within The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, grantees are focused on addressing the problems caused by the disproportionate number of cannabis-related arrests and incarcerations involving persons of color, job creation, entrepreneurship and increased investment opportunities in minority communities. Learn more about our partnerships below.

As policy reform advances across the country, states are struggling to address the existing legacy of racial, social and economic inequity tied to cannabis. As a leader in the industry, we believe it is our responsibility to help shape it. Together, with our partners, we are committed to fighting for the changes needed to create a more just and equitable industry.
— Chris Hagedorn, Executive Vice President and Division President of Hawthorne

Supernova Women

Supernova Women is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Black and Brown women that works to empower Black and Brown people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the cannabis and natural plant medicine space through education, advocacy, and network building.

The Weldon Project

The Weldon Project is dedicated to funding social change and financial aid for those who are still serving prison time for cannabis-related offenses. Their Mission [Green] initiative raises the bar for awareness, social justice, and social equity by providing ways for cannabis businesses to provide relief to those who have been negatively impacted by prohibition.

Last Prisoner Project

Last Prisoner Project is dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform, working to release people with low-level cannabis convictions from prison in states where it is now legal and provide pathways to employment.

NuLeaf Project

NuLeaf Project is working to build generational wealth for Black and Brown people through the legal cannabis industry. Hawthorne is a corporate sponsor for the Nu School Accelerator Program, which offers financial support and technical expertise on cannabis startup financing and operating an ancillary business.

Minorities for Medical Marijuana

Minorities for Medical Marijuana provides advocacy, outreach, research, and training as it relates to the business, social reform, public policy, and health /wellness in the cannabis industry. Its Project Clean Slate program offers expungement clinics and wraparound services nationwide for those affected by past marijuana possession charges, while Project Safe Access NV assists members of the Latino community in accessing medical marijuana.

Marijuana Policy Project Foundation

Marijuana Policy Project Foundation is a racial justice and social equity project seeking to elevate cannabis reform as a civil rights issue at the national level and increase diverse representation within the legal cannabis industry.

United Returning Citizens

United Returning Citizens focuses on workforce development, helping people with cannabis convictions in a high-unemployment area (Youngstown, Ohio) find employment and start businesses in hemp, indoor cultivation and legal cannabis cultivation.

What can you do to help?

Support these groups by following them on social media and sharing their efforts to your networks
Volunteer to help these groups when there are local events in your area
Learn more about the efforts of the The ScottsMiracle-Gro Foundation