For those who love cannabis and want to help people in need, numerous opportunities exist to combine your passions. Recently, Head Magazine covered the noble efforts of Thai cannabis café Grandma Jazz’s charity, Garments, which upcycles used clothing to support the local elderly community. The following organizations add to that establishment’s contribution to humanity. Check out what’s available and see whether you can lend your support to make a difference in someone’s life today.

Members of the all volunteer Freedom Grow team dedicated to supporting cannabis prisoners and their families. L to R: Karly Cramer, Executive Director Krisitn Flor, Founder Stephanie Landa, and Randy Lanier, former CEO and international race car champion who was incarcerated for 27 years for cannabis.

Freedom Grow: Help cannabis prisoners regain their freedom.

Who they are: Freedom Grow uses prison outreach, public education and other means to promote justice, freedom and dignity for those affected by cannabis prohibition. Part of their work involves caring for the prisoners and their family directly by providing financial and emotional support.

Freedom Grow Founder Stephanie Landa (center) surrounded by members of the team

Recently Bill Levers of Beard Bros Pharms and Media took over the CEO position from Randy Lanier (former 27-year cannabis prisoner) who serves as President. Kristi Kem of the Dope CFO Accounting and Finance Franchise serves as the non-profit’s CFO.  These dedicated professionals and others give of their time and expertise to help this important cause.

How you can help:

  • Letters: Participate in the Pen Pal program to correspond with prisoners and give them something to look forward to when friends and family aren’t there anymore.
  • Prisoner-focused donations: Support the Commissary Connects program to help prisoners access essential items (toiletries, books, food, etc.) that the prison system provides inadequately.
  • Team engagement: Join a Rescue Team to assist with prison outreach, media/writing, website maintenance, graphic design, social media, court support, fundraising, events, accounting/budgeting or an idea of your own.
  • Urgent action: Respond to an emergency call to action for a specific prisoner by contacting the government (links and phone numbers provided) to intervene asap. 
  • Petition: Sign the petition seeking clemency for cannabis prisoners.
  • Organization-focused donations: Contribute a one-time, monthly, quarterly or yearly donation to Freedom Grow.
  • Shop: Buy a Freedom Grow-designed t-shirt (four styles) or ballcap to help fund the organization’s work.

You can also download free coloring pages advocating freedom for specific prisoners.

Members of the Realm of Caring team at the State Capitol on Charlotte Figi Day in 2024. Source:Realm of Caring

Realm of Caring: Promote research on cannabinoids (CBD, etc.).

Who they are: Realm of Caring (RoC) is on a mission to facilitate and encourage the mainstream acceptance of cannabis-derived therapies on behalf of patients, healthcare providers and cannabis industry players. They focus on research, educational services, advocacy and creating global community connections.

How you can help:

  • Online engagement: Participate remotely in a RoC research study. 
  • Donations: Give a one-time or monthly donation toward efforts to remake cannabis’s image in the public eye so that we can learn more about this wonder-plant.
  • Shop: Buy a RoC-designed shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie, t-shirt, tank top or water bottle to give a portion of the proceeds back to RoC.

National Hemp Association Group Photo. Source:NHA

National Hemp Association: Help cannabis farmers.

Who they are: The National Hemp Association (NHA) describes itself as “the leading voice advocating for the growth and success of industrial hemp fiber and grain.” It aims to shape policies, expand markets and build supply chains to unlock the full potential of this industry. As part of that, it gives cannabis farmers the tools, connections and advocacy support that they need to succeed.

How you can help: 

  • Communications support: Post updates on Facebook, write features for the organization’s blog, produce a short video or podcast, or help with grantwriting.
  • Tech support: Perform website updates and maintenance, and help to build a resource tool.
  • Administrative support: Create, promote and staff events; coordinate volunteers; and coalesce specialized communities.
  • Research: Conduct research as assigned to various projects.
  • Paid membership: A $50 donation gets you a year’s membership that comes with access to members-only forums and educational series, as well as monthly newsletters and timely action alerts.

If you do any of the tasks NHA needs done, you’ll get a free individual membership and be connected with companies and experts in the industry. To inquire, send an email to execdir@nationalhempassociation.org.

Colorado Chapter of Americans for Safe Access Source: ASA

Americans for Safe Access: Improve access to medical marijuana.

Who they are: Americans for Safe Access (ASA) brings together policy experts, public health experts, attorneys, lobbyists, scientists, industry associations and medical professionals. Since 2002, the organization has been instrumental in developing impactful campaigns, projects and programs that dismantle political, social, academic and legal barriers to medical marijuana.

How you can help:

  • Communications support: Post social media content; review, proof and edit ASA documents; and deliver ASA presentations (after receiving training from ASA).
  • Logistical support: Set up an ASA table at an event.
  • Graphic design: Help out with visual media.

You can also select, “Yes! Plug me in where you need me,” on the volunteer opportunities webpage.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy Group Photo Source: SSDP

Students for Sensible Drug Policy: Defend human rights.

Who they are: Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) describes itself as “the largest youth-led network dedicated to replacing the War on Drugs with policies rooted in evidence, compassion, and human rights.” The organization mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future.

How you can help:

One More Thing

Special Mention: The National Cannabis Industry Association

We can’t end this list without a Special Mention of NCIA, the National Cannabis Industry Association which is the only national voice for independent cannabis businesses. The NCIA advocates for policies that benefit all responsible businesses in the cannabis space which includes hundreds of small businesses and cannabis professionals from all sectors of the cannabis industry. Taking over from long-time CEO Aaron Smith are Chief Operating Officer Brooke Gilbert, Chair Adam Rosenberg and Secretary Jordan Isenstadt carrying on the important work they do for the cannabis industry and ultimately for all of us. 

Every May, the NCIA organizes Lobby Days, where members from all sectors of the cannabis industry go to Capitol Hill to share their experiences and advocate for changes in the cannabis laws. Head Magazine has been privileged to join this group several times and if you’re interested in reading our first person account you can read it here.

These Lobby Days are crucial for helping lawmakers understand the real-world impacts of cannabis legislation on these businesses and have been instrumental in the areas of cannabis rescheduling, advocating for SAFE banking laws, pushing for veteran access to medical marijuana, and much more.  

Conclusion

Whether donating money, writing a letter or social media post, participating in a study, or doing anything else to help, you can reach out to your fellow (wo)man to change their life for the better. We hope that at least one of these opportunities piqued your interest.

Head Magazine is not sponsored by the above organizations; nor do we receive compensation for spreading awareness of them.

Kathleen Hearons is a writer, editor, linguist and voice over actor from Los Angeles. She specializes in creative writing and research-intensive analysis and reporting.

 

Sources

Americans for Safe Access. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://www.safeaccessnow.org.

Correya, AC. “GARMENTS: Wearing What Already Exists.” Head Magazine. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://headmagazine.com/garments-wearing-what-already-exists-another-quiet-grandma-jazz-revolution/. 

Correya, AC. “The Quiet Revolution of Grandma Jazz.” Head Magazine. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://headmagazine.com/the-quiet-revolution-of-grandma-jazz/. 

Freedom Grow. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://freedomgrow.org/. 

National Hemp Association. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://nationalhempassociation.org/. 

National Cannabis Industry Association. Accessed May 26, 2026. https://thecannabisindustry.org

Realm of Caring. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://realmofcaring.org. 

Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://ssdp.org/.