“I think Biden has taken a little too long. We want to see more. This is a great step. Several more steps need to happen,” Fab 5 Freddy said.
According to B Noble’s website, 10% of proceeds from every sale will be donated to local organizations that provide returning citizens with support for their future success.
So far, B Noble has donated a total of $160,000 to various beneficiary organizations, including the North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN), a Chicago-based organization that supports under- and unemployed people, and those returning from incarceration. It offers job readiness training, financial literacy, digital literacy, income assistance, and rental assistance, to name a few.
The B Noble team did not specify how much money was given to NLEN.
NLEN client and solutions specialist Jack Jordan said the network was built to help returning citizens earn gainful employment. “So, these are small steps individually, but I’m sure I can see they definitely lead to a greater goal,” Jordan said.
For Noble, whose story was featured in The Grass Is Greener documentary, he said he feels special when he’s able to help people who are battling the same struggles he faced while serving a non-violent cannabis sentence.
“The bad thing that happened to me was a normal thing. It was something where I didn’t think I was gonna get out. But now my life has changed, I get to donate to organizations and to help people [fight] charges like how I was charged with,” Noble said.
The country’s attitude toward weed has changed over time, with 19 states and the District of Columbia having legalized the adult use of marijuana for recreational purposes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Another 37 states, three territories and the District of Columbia allow the medical use of cannabis products, says NCSL.
Noble said he never imagined owning a cannabis brand, let alone sitting next to Fab 5 Freddy. He grew up watching Freddy host Yo! MTV Raps.
“Going through what I did, I had no hope. But one day, I saw a glimpse of light. I started praying, trying to keep my sanity. When I got out, I thought that I would just have to start from the bottom again,” Noble said. “It’s just been a blessing, bro. I get to talk to people and help. I don’t have to hide it no more.”