How evidence is shaping the conversation about cannabis and justice

Evidence – a cannabis brand founded by siblings Dan, Casey and Kelly Dalton – is unique in its operation from an old prison in Coalinga, California and focuses on bringing justice in interesting ways. Through its partnership with the nonprofit Last Prisoner Project (LPP), the company is working to address the transgressions of the war on drugs and incarceration related to cannabis.

Evidence entered the cannabis scene in 2016, encouraged by cannabis advocate, activist and LPP board member Steve DeAngelo, along with musician Damian Marley. I recently spoke to Dan, who leads the brand’s marketing, and Casey, the CEO, about their mission and goals, as well as what it was like to serve the local community while growing, manufacturing and distributing cannabis from the old Claremont custody center .

Find community and grow weed behind bars

Operating out of prison wasn’t originally Dan and Casey’s goal. They mainly wanted to open a business in a tolerant and approachable community, but when they saw the potential of the prison itself – how the purchase would positively impact the local community and the opportunity it could give them to speak out to a larger audience about injustices the criminalization of cannabis – they got to work.

“Coalinga was $3.7 million in debt when we came to town, and buying the jail for $4.1 million immediately put her out of debt. Then we bought a second lot right next door and we were able to start generating almost $1 million a year in tax revenue. Our number one goal has been to make sure the community is protected first and foremost,” Casey said.

On the first pass it was clear that the prison had been completely abandoned, and Dan and Casey could feel the enormous heaviness of the building and what it must have been like to spend time there. “Everything was still in place and there were some really weird things nearby. One thing that always catches my eye is a box of letters that were never delivered to prisoners and this one really struck me. Someone’s daughter, someone’s father — someone sat down and took the time to communicate with their loved one in prison and they never got there,” Dan said.

But through that heaviness, creative and unique ideas emerged to transform the conversation about cannabis and justice. For example, Evidence packs its flowers in real evidence bags. “How disruptive would it be to sell weed out of an evidence bag, out of prison, and draw attention to the incredible work the Last Prisoner Project is doing?” said Casey, who came up with the idea. And Dan agreed: “It’s an uncompromising disruptor that starts a conversation. And if I have to, this uncomfortable feeling.”

For every purchase of Evidence cannabis, $1 will be donated to The Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to reforming cannabis justice. “We’re not saying they’re the only ones or the best, that’s just who we’re dealing with,” said Dan, who is also a board member of the nonprofit.

The family that smokes together stays together

Casey, Dan and their brother Kelly Dalton, product specialist at Evidence and CEO and co-owner of Ocean Grown Extracts, have loved cannabis since childhood. “We grew up with lots of weed and lots of creative and spiritual people; So we had a connection with it and both of our parents used it [throughout] our whole childhood. We were very fortunate to have parents who were honest with us, we were told from day one it was medicine,” said Dan.

Evidence is not only a source of income for the Coalinga community and the Dalton siblings, but also a source of family pride beyond the business. Casey shared: “Our father, who passed away a few years ago, once made a comment. He said, “Do you know how proud I am as a father to know that all three of my kids have chosen to work together?” I think that’s a feather in his cap that he did something right where his kids are would want more than just family members and siblings as partners in their adult life.”

Though far from easy, the family relationship has sparked growth that otherwise would have been impossible. Friends, colleagues and partners trusted in their solidarity and made their contribution. The siblings returned this generosity. “I think we were really lucky that we’re a family business and didn’t come in with a ton of investor money or private equity or anything like that,” Casey said. “Damian [Marley] took the ride with us, we didn’t have a check to write. So he took a piece of equity as a friendship and as a true partnership. Some childhood friends of ours actually raised the money to help buy the prison. We gave them a piece of it. I feel like it was such a collaborative effort where everyone got together and helped move that ball around the field together.”

Next for evidence

Evidence prides itself on being grown outdoors, letting their cannabis enjoy the California sun. To really capitalize on Coalinga’s seasons, the brand brought in Kyle Walton, a longtime outdoor grower from Humboldt County, California. “He’s grown over the past decade, and when we came up with the Evidence idea, he was the first call,” Casey said.

The company has just harvested approximately 7 acres of cannabis, and because its manufacturing facility is on-site, it is able to produce oils, edibles, and other cannabis products in-house. Evidence has used its vast stash of genetics to create new strains, including recent fan favorites Hella Jelly, Berry Pie, and Caramel Cream.

As it grows, Evidence continues to provide information on justice and reform, donate to its favorite charitable organization, and employ members of the local community. “I think Casey used the best word for all of this: blessed,” Dan shared, “we’re blessed to be in this position. There’s a lot of work to be done and it’s not easy, but it sounds like a fairy tale story.”