Vlasic Labs golf event raises $25,000 for cannabis justice groups

By AI, Created 5:14 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Vlasic Labs said its fourth annual Missouri Vlasic Classic drew more than 150 attendees to Old Kinderhook Resort and raised $25,000 for cannabis justice organizations. The weekend also spotlighted the case of Jarred Shaw, whose support fund will receive part of the proceeds.

Why it matters: - The event turned a charity golf tournament into direct support for people and families affected by cannabis-related incarceration. - The fundraiser adds to a broader network of cannabis justice, prisoner support and second-chance efforts backed by the Vlasic Classic series. - More than 100 golfers and representatives from about 90% of Missouri dispensaries showed up, signaling broad industry participation.

What happened: - Vlasic Labs hosted the fourth annual Missouri Vlasic Classic earlier this month at Old Kinderhook Resort in Camdenton, Missouri. - More than 150 cannabis industry leaders and advocates attended the weekend event. - The tournament raised $25,000 for cannabis justice organizations. - The fundraising total included $20,000 for The Forgotten Prisoner Foundation and $5,000 for Freedom Grow. - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy attended as a celebrity golfer in support of Donte West, founder of The Forgotten Prisoner Foundation. - The event included a Friday welcome mixer, a Saturday shotgun-start tournament, an awards gala, sponsor activations, raffles, on-course competitions and cannabinoid activations.

The details: - Money sent to The Forgotten Prisoner Foundation will support former professional basketball player Jarred Shaw and his family while Shaw remains incarcerated in Indonesia on cannabis-related charges tied to gummies he bought to manage Crohn’s disease. - Shaw joined the event virtually from prison. - Shaw’s brother attended in person, creating one of the weekend’s most emotional moments. - More than 100 golfers took part across the weekend. - Representatives from approximately 90% of Missouri dispensaries were in attendance. - Willy Vlasic, CEO of Vlasic Labs, said the event mixed golf and community support with a larger mission tied to cannabis justice. - Byron Tennison, Shaw’s brother, said the funds will help cover healthcare, legal and humanitarian needs and keep attention on Shaw’s case.

Between the lines: - The event shows how cannabis business gatherings are increasingly being used as fundraising vehicles for criminal justice causes. - Vlasic framed cannabis rescheduling as progress, but not a fix for people still facing consequences from prohibition. - The strong Missouri turnout suggests the state’s cannabis industry is willing to rally around justice-focused causes when the effort is tied to a visible local event. - The presence of a pro athlete added attention and likely helped widen the event’s reach beyond the core cannabis audience.

What’s next: - Vlasic Labs said the Vlasic Classic series continues to expand across Missouri, Michigan and Las Vegas. - The company said the series has now raised more than $165,000 combined for justice reform organizations, prisoner support initiatives, second-chance programs and advocacy efforts nationwide. - Support from the Missouri event will continue flowing to the named beneficiary organizations and Shaw’s case-related needs.

The bottom line: - Vlasic Labs used its biggest Missouri tournament yet to raise money, mobilize the cannabis industry and keep cannabis justice in the spotlight.