From Pints to Joints: Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder’s New Cannabis Company
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- čas přidán 8. 06. 2024
- Ben Cohen just launched a weed brand with a high-minded purpose-giving away 100% of its profits to right some of the racial injustices from America’s War on Drugs. Ice cream sold separately.
One summer night in 1970, years before Ben Cohen teamed up with Jerry Greenfield to launch one of America’s most successful ice cream companies, he was smoking a joint with some friends under a lifeguard tower at Jones Beach on Long Island, New York.
Cohen saw the lights of a police car driving towards them and told a friend to get rid of the roach. At that time, marijuana was just as illegal in New York as heroin. And a small doobie could land you in jail.
“‘Ronnie, eat the jay!’” Cohen, now 72, remembers telling his friend. “The cops get out and they're searching around with their flashlight and sure enough Ronnie didn't eat it-they found the jay and arrested us.”
At the stationhouse, the two recent high school graduates were strip searched, and things weren’t looking good for a couple of longhaired dopers. “Eventually, as we were white middle-class guys, we ended up getting tickets for littering a lighted cigarette butt on the beach,” says Cohen, in his home office just outside Burlington, Vermont.
The run-in could have changed the course of Cohen’s life-and those of chubby hubbies everywhere. Instead of going to jail, he went to college, dropped out, drove a taxi in New York City, tried his hand at pottery before starting Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in 1978 with his childhood friend, Jerry, out of an abandoned gas station in Burlington. By 2000, after Ben & Jerry’s was acquired by Unilever for $326 million (around $580 million in current dollars), Cohen pocketed about $40 million, the equivalent of $70 million today.
But all these decades later, Cohen still can’t shake the feeling that if he had been Black, that night in 1970 would have ended very differently. He has good reason to believe that the color of his skin gave him a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Card: Black people are nearly four times as likely to get arrested for marijuana possession than white people, despite similar usage rates, according to a report by the ACLU.
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If this man hasn't created ice cream edibles yet, he's sleeping on his own fortune.
I so want to do this.
FOR REALS!!!
They exist already but not at the quality of Ben & Jerry's. The main issue is you have to sell the dispensary on taking up space with a freezer for a product that moves slowly for part of the year. I've had cannabis ice cream sandwiches and they're delicious
It already exists. Name a food and it’s been infused before.
or you could just put your edibles in the ice cream and stop being a brand lap rider
@@agent5758 Lol! u wild!🤣😂
Been supporting Ben and Jerry's for over 30 years and he's just given me yet another reason to support him.
Their ice cream is about 33% coconut oil. 😂
Because he'll ram his politics down your throat with his overpriced mids?
@@alienvomitsexthat must be why they taste so good
@@notreal1477 are you seriously pissed off that a stoner isn’t conservative
@@notreal1477 someone’s pp tiny
Seeing things like this reminds me there are still good people in this world.
😂😂😂😂😂
Agreed ❤ 🏴
420th like your welcome
too bad the company is a wild left winger
they aren't good people lol
This is actually huge for us. To have such a household brand/name that's known globally supporting the industry.
Unilever?
huge for us🤓🤓bro tf u talkin about
No, this is actually the worst thing that can happen to the legal industry silly
✊️ power to the people!
Ben a supporter of the people
Nah fam. Keep corporations out of canna.
I applaud this man he is driving change and providing opportunities for our black community to be successful. We need more people like this!
Put a sock in it!
It's a racial supremacy complex
There r even disregarding whites but yeah whites should be included too when thinking about this but there r plenty of non black ppl who were disproportionately affected by the war on marijuana
To only focus on blacks is messed up and especially when you're not even black, is he Jewish? He is right m
Right?*
It's pretty clear by now that there are medicinal properties to these plants & it's outrageous that they're not being properly available for most of those who could benefit from them
If available they are crazy expensive.
@@joycemansfield1108 no they aren’t?
@sleevy3692 I'm in Australia so I'm not sure what the cost is like there but here a medicinal cannabis consult is $100 or more (and by law you have to have a consult at least every 6 months and there is no rebate) a 50ml bottle of 10:10 THC oil is about $100, a 50ml bottle of CBD oil is $200, a 10g tub of flower is anywhere from $130 to $180.
So for myself the cost of medicinal cannabis is around $150 a month. I think it's worth it but for many people the medical model makes even only using flower (legally) out of reach. Personally I think being able to grow your own is an incredibly important part of legalisation and equity.
who are u fooling lil bro
@@Alice_Walker cali we got $40 med cards and $120 ozs after tax. Of top shelf😂 grams of wax from $10 to $100
This is awesome; as a black man who grew up around weed dealers, it's incredible that they are trying to give back to our community in this way which is so important to show our young ones they can do things the legal way.
As a data analyst it is also amazing to know that they are looking to become super data-driven - let me know if you guys need any help!!
Thanks B3
What about Asians and Latinos as we as the others? ..
Keep this about weed and ice cream and take your politics elsewhere ..
@@Grinddownunder and whites
@@Grinddownunder Illinois drafted their bill to determine who was Disproportionately affected in a race NEUTRAL way
@@Grinddownunder and what areas obviously were considered disproportionately impacted, they determined this in a race NEUTRAL way
@@Grinddownunder y’all only do this when black people get something they need. You never have this energy for anybody else
I was a hardcore drinker until I picked up Cannabis again. I've been Cali sober for almost a full year with no intentions to go back to the brown bottle. This stuff is great and so is Ben & Jerry's Ice cream!
Right on❤🎉
bro said cali sober😂😂
Yh cause everybody there on weed so you cant really say anybody there is sober sober@@bryonjacobs9860
Over the years I always heard so may good things about Ben and Jerry. They’ve always seemed like standup guys. Good on Ben, and I’ll definitely support his new venture 🙃
Cough Cough Colin Kaper cough nick
follow the money.. it aint all rainbows they selling
you must have heard from fans and not from fact checkers.
That's interesting I've never heard one good thing spoken about that company. Garbage company. The only good you hear is from the governments and media corporations of the world. I bet you worship and love them so it's easy to see why you are so manipulated
i would but i need them to make stronger stuff
As a stoner, I like the perspective of terpene driven weed. It would be nice to have a joint and still be able to be be high functioning. I know some buddies that tend to get hit with anxiety after smoking. I bet this would be way better than some 30% THC.
Bless this man. This is why I believe in wealth caps, and non-profit programs after a wealth cap is reached.
We should ALL be working like Ben to make the world a better place, instead of pillaging each other for as much as we can obtain.
No
Don't get it twisted, he making money not changing anything
@@taylorwest8151 You did get the point where 100% percent of the profits are donated, right? The man has assets of around 150 million. So he need't really make more money if he isn't pushed towards.
I mean did sell a company to a multinational corporation. so it's pretty easy to be generous with your money at that point. It's not like hes sacrificing anything to make it happen.
They GOTTA start doing “party packs” with a combination of products because I LOVE a good pint of Ben & Jerry’s after a few bleezies
WOW!! I just became a huge supporter! I never knew he was on such an inspiring mission!! As a Hispanic man in cali I say ✊🏽 to him for giving us a chance and giving those around him an opportunity to find a way out of the street life and still enjoy doing and having a business like such.
he has made an icecream called Half Baked and Cherry Garcia hahah so it was pretty obvious he was into the cannabis industry
@@BluntLeee I don’t eat ice cream nor paid any attention to the brands of their ice cream so unless you’re specifically shopping for the names of ice creams it’s not that obvious. Some of us have busy lives and arnt seeking out new ice cream names.
@@angel91siccness that's a long way to say you're an ignoramous more concerned about identity politics than the name of the product the man you shill for got rich from.
The pandering 😂😂😂😂
Very nice
I so much love Ben. I could listen to him speak for a whole week without getting bored lol.
In my late teens & 20s my friends and I would do shrooms, Isd, and ecstasy occasionally. Good times!
All were positive, fun, spiritual experiences. But, it's been decades. I don't know anyone who knows anyone who can get psychedelics from. I live in LA & there's a Kush store three blocks from my house, but I can't function alone on weed. I wish they sold psilocybin gummies. I'm a little depressed & a little anxious on a regular basis. I'm not a big drinker and I hate taking pills.
A bite or two of a chocolate bar, or a cup of mushroom tea everyday would be a godsent for me.
I’ve been researching on psychedelics and it’s benefits to individuals dealing with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and from my findings, they really work and I’ve been eager to get some for a while but its been difficult to get my hands on them.
The Trips I've been having really helped me a lot. I’m now able to meditate and I finally feel in control of my emotions and my future and things that used to be mundane to me now seem incredible and full of nuance on top of that I'm way less driven by my ego and I have alot more empathy as well
@@Victory63219 I was having this constant, unbearable anxiety due to work stress. Not until I came across dradolfpetter a very intelligent mycologist. He saved my life honestly
@@ryancihet555 I feel the same way too. I put too much on my plate and it definitely affects my stress and anxiety levels. I am also glad to be a part of this community.
@@ellaaysun6181 Does he deliver to various locations?
Where is he based too?
I will always support Ben and jerry now. The way they are open about everything, nothing seems too good to be true, just some of the last generation that spends their hard work making a product for quality and not for something at the lowest cost, for the highest sale. I appreciate this.
I believe that they have sold the ice cream company already so you cant support them through buying it only through their new companys
@@jano2964 that’s fine by me 💚💚
you think an entry into the cannabis industry is driven by a love for the people and giving them a quality product, and not out of pure greed? your mindset is why China owns the US. naive and fickle.
Except their "ice cream" is almost 1/3rd coconut oil to maximize profits 😂
@@jano2964 yeah 22 years ago to a multinational corporation.
My man knows what’s up. Shout out to the all ethnic cannabis entrepreneurs.
A great guy doing so much for his country, we need more people like this here in the UK!😊👍
This takes half baked into another meaning
My favorite ife cream by them😂😂💀
Ben you are amazing in every way. I truly support everything you're doing whole-heartedly.
Ben is a national treasure!
If his products somehow became available in Washington State, I'd (continue to) support him. As it stands, I think everything's got to stay in its own state until enough weed-haters die off for national legalization or at least interstate commerce (and Oregon would probably love to sell their overstock to some less-fortunate state...)
As an Oregonian I would love to buy this man’s product, and I can’t smoke what we (the newer generation) have, though I’m only 21 and if I tried, I could probably get back into it, but I can barely handle what we have right now.
Damn, this is a great company with a great cause. Now I wanna travel to Vermont to get some of their products and eat a lot of ice cream!
what a legendary man and vision!
Ben has always been lit how you think they came up with all those delicious ice cream flavors ( only a stoner would come up with)😋 🙂
It's about damn time! Not everyone wants to get blitzed out of their minds with high THC content. Casual/light consumers are still consumers.
Exactly!
You don't have to. You could smoke less of the high THC bud or I know this is crazy but go with it. You could buy one of hundreds if not thousand of strains that are in the teens for THC like 14% rather than the 20 or 30 % buds. Seasoned smokers that smoke all day everyday and want to still be awake smoke these low amounts. Its gets you high but your still functional all day.
Blessings Ben.. loyalty at its best 🤞🏾🙏🏾👌🏾
I think they're going to take over a big portion of the market due to them being a trusted brand.
People thought the same thing about Canopy Growth (CGC) being backed by Constellation Brands (STZ). Go look at the 5 year chart for CGC on yahoo finance. Long story short, I lost a lot of money thinking like that.
Such kind people ❤️
one of the only companies in this country that I dont hate. who knew that treating employees like human beings was easy and made you look good! crazy idea
It’s nice to see them doing the right thing with profit because there are still plenty of people are still sitting in jail cells for selling marijuana
This is pure love, thank you!
Such an awesome mission, love Ben's take on all this
This makes me love Ben & Jerry's even more now.🥰
He has nothing to with it. They sold it to a giant multinational corporation 22 years ago. Its the same people that make soaps, body wash, shampoos and products like axe. They just use their image to give you the sense that they still hare two man owned operation when they are not even close to that. If their image couldn't be used there is no way any company was going to buy it.
I’m here for it Ben !🙏🏼🔥
I've been thinking the same thing about the super high THC. I can remember smoking the real Panama Red a joint left six of us laughing and trying to remember what day it was.
That's because all weed was garbage back in the day like the 70's. So tolerances were low, incredibility low. Even the best bud in high times in the 70's was just sticks with almost no buds on them with almost no THC. But keep talking about how "magical" that panama red was. Only makes you look stupid to anyone that smoke that has any ability to use logic.
If we are talking recreantly like panama red today being breed and grown to the standard of any strains of weed today then in that case, still no. It wouldn't be anymore powerful and any other strain. Most strain top out around the same amount these days and any lower THC buds are not very far behind in percentage.
@@t.c.v.t. Your criticism is probably correct. But on the other hand compared to what was normal it was superior.
I don't find the psychedelic qualities that I found in both Columbian and that weed from Panama in pot I buy today.
That's my experience and I can't deny what I experienced myself unless someone produces bud that does the same thing today.
I'm hoping they will.
@@hermenutic The reality it was all garbage back than. Also you can get to the point of it being psychedelic easily with the potency today. Eat 100 MG edible and get back to me in your experience and let me know how pyschdelic it was. Also back in the day they could have put any other drug on that panama red that you though was so good. That was probally the case as I said it was all gargabe back in the day.
I've done that, .In fact I have eaten twice that amount.
Have you read the history of the bohemian hashish eaters. I think it was in France. The Fitz Hugh Ludlow library describes the experience of hashish eaters of that period. I've did not approximate what was described by those who participated. That's my experience. I can't deny it.
Maybe my receptor sites have gone south but I'd love to have the experience described in that literature.
@@hermenutic Try again harder then
its so chill man, who can retain such a chill life?
Great story, great guy.
Thank you Forbes. Thank you Ben, keep up the great work. 👌🏽
Shame it's still illegal here, because I imagine he'll have trouble selling the inevitable cannabis infused ice cream in my country without getting into some sort of trouble from a busy body who doesn't know how to mind their own business.
The UK?
@@agonizingpaper What gave it away? lol
@@nellkellino-miller7673 Lol, I could sense the disappointment from a fellow Brit.
@@agonizingpaper Ah yes, the psychic connection between all disgruntled brits. Of course.
@@nellkellino-miller7673 🤣😭
Amazing when people help each other
This is really great news. Just became a Ben and Jerry supporter
They have nothing to do with Ben and Jerry's anymore. They sold it 22 years ago to a giant multinational corporation. You know the kind of thing they were against.
NOW I REALLY LOVE BEN &JERRY
I LOVE Ben and Jerry’s so much more now! This gives a whole new understanding to their Cherry Garcia flavor.
they literally have a flavor called half baked
@@Ianv14 And another called "magic brownies"....
and they literally sold the company to a multinational corporation 22 years ago.
It’s refreshing to see Ben being honest about this!
He's so right! Today's weed is too strong!
kudos to how the profits are being used well done man
Ben is a national treasure!. It’s refreshing to see Ben being honest about this!.
this is what it’s all about! spread the love man
I'm so glad to hear
Let the people grow it!
will this be available in california?
this is absolutely amazing
omg i live in vt and i love love love this!! hope my dispensary will start carrying their products soon! 💚
I genuinely love this dude
All Vermont people seems cool.
Just like bernie
Btown here
My go to snack when stoned is a pint of Ben and Jerry’s lol. This is perfect
Fantastic work Ben!
One thing that really bothers me nowadays is all these old people that would’ve called the cops on us when we were smoking weed are now taking over the cannabis industry and reaping all the benefits. These are the same people that would’ve called the cops on that for smoking a joint.
I think you missed the point of this video. he clearly states that he isnt taking a profit and investing all money earned back into the community to create more equity in the black community.
Actually the bio explains how he almost got arrested for weed use, and knows that he would have bee arrested if he was black. So he’s using his privilege to invest back into the black community.
@@strawberrycherrybaby that's quite the assumption to make and declare on his part.
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED.
ONE LOVE
The chills I have!
This is just pure beautiful ✨🍃
Finally someone gets it...I want the weed I smoked in Vietnam in the late '60's
No you dont its was garbage. Even the worst of worst today is on par or better than what you had back in the day.
@@t.c.v.t. You simply do not know what you're talking about. We had a far better choice on what kind of buzz we got, from mellow to absolute couch lock. I have smoked non stop for 57 years and been a grower for most of it. Trust me I know my weed.
@@franktalley To simply just trust you would be stupid anyone can say anything just as I have. Also your wrong.
@@t.c.v.t. You're right, you can say anything, just like you have but you are the one that is wrong, because from the BS you have thrown out Here, I am more positive than ever that you have never smoked any quality weed, ever. Also your knowledge of the subject matter is minuscule at best.
@@t.c.v.t.damn buddy you seem really argumentative? what bothered you about this video honestly ?
This man gets it
Definitely gonna have to try it out!!
He speaks slow in such a thoughtful meaningful way I truly feel like he believes in his mission
Selling weed and ice cream? Genius 😂🤯
Well damn all the funky names make sense now lol
What a inspirational video. I’m 28 and my dream is to either start a cannabis business or to be able to work in one. This video motivated me so much to want to strive in this industry. I live in Texas which is not legal YET to use marijuana recreational, but hopefully one day it will be. But I would like to be educated as much as I can to get in this industry if anyone here can help educate me further with links or blogs please do! All knowledge of business or marijuana farm start up is appreciated!
Bless this man
what a legend
Very cool!
I hope the cannabis industry figures out a way to reduce/eliminate all the plastic waste. Its ridiculous.
Incredible!!!
That's great. When I was younger of course I wanted the highest thc possible. As I've aged, I look more for flavor profile with a nice satisfying high verse being completely tanked.
Mad respect to Ben on his mission to help right the wrong made against black smokers ❤❤❤ makes me wanna move to Vermont 😂
This is amazing, I love it can't wait to get my hands on this in Florida
what an excellent company with admirable motives, can't wait to see what they achieve
Bro a smart man how it started with all of the ice cream to increase money to put in 💪🏼💯
I love love loved every minute of this. I wish more of white america could see have his values.
glad to see those good old hurricane fans, same ones have in my grow room
@gunne jay bruh
I loved Ben and Jerry’s from I was a kid💯
People still pass around joints and share, Ben. LOL. Your tolerance just drops like a brick when you get older. That's honestly one of the only thing I'm looking forward to about getting older LOL
I'm in my mid-20s and I have the same issues! Average THC potency has increased dramatically, on average.
@@oliviac2585 It actually hasen't BUT there are low THC strains. Its not like every strain is as strong as it can possibly be. Question - how often do you smoke?
@The_kid01 There's plenty of 14/15% strains out there that are for people that smoke all day everyday and don't want to be in a coma. So you don't know what youre talking about.
girl is this the one thing u took from the vid 🫥
I love my high thc strains but understand the older crowd can't hang sometimes...its nice to see em do strains around the idea he has.
It's not that they can't hang. People seek different things my guy.
@@pdut23 nah they quite literally can’t hang he was saying he can’t smoke a joint of that real za without losing his marbles
@@paulkeef3623 My grandma is 64 and smokes more weed than I do. Not all old people are the same 😂
@@pdut23 ‘the older crowd can’t hang’ dude they invented the drugs we do now 😂
@@strawberrycherrybaby thats a cool gramma most old ppl aren’t like that, i can tell you tho 90% of old ppl who smoke smoke reggie. My grandpa smokes that $25 oz reggie I gave him a gram of some medical for his birthday one time and it scared him so bad he had to give it to his friend
Love this!! ❤
We need more People like him!
Hes a god send.
We need to keep these huge corporations out of this industry.Hes not just the ice cream man he is a person who is looking to profiteer.
"...giving away 100% of its profits to right some of the racial injustices from America’s War on Drugs."
Agreed and nobody is gonna buy that weak product anyway. 🙄 We the people want that strong! 💪
Ben and Jerries only got that mid
umm. thats called capitalism.. are you new to how the world works???
@@AmericanGangster1 I work in a dispensary, about half the clients are looking specifically for products that aren’t too strong. Not everyone sits around baked all day. Plenty of people want to smoke for anxiety or pain or seizures and not be rocked. More percentage doesn’t mean more high. It just means more risk of paranoia and nausea/vomiting.
Personally I think the stronger your product is the more valuable it is.
Not to consumers who don't want strong product. Beer sells great but it isn't as strong as hard liquor.
@@ZeLoShady yes, exactly. For someone without a tolerance, high THC products are uncomfortable. It’s like giving a fresh faced kid a bottle of Jack and making him down the entire thing. He’s not gonna have a good time!
well, good thing you don’t own a weed business then. About half my clients are looking for low thc products. The percentage doesn’t make you much higher past the 20 percents. 30+ just makes you smooth brained and dumb looking 😂
Personally, the best munchie after a joint is ice cream… I didn’t know much about him before this video but after watching this I have so much respect for him!
Yoooo Ben is a straight badass! Never knew he was down to smoke joints that’s wassup
He's right there are people serving 70 years for selling weed. Now you have celebrities who own weed farms making lots and lots of money. When you get the munchies grab a pint of Ben & Jerry
Now this is how you do it make a way for us so called Blacks who have been growing this whole time like myself
@@deathjab4161 negative Batman you just trying to throw salt why would he say it on TV your comment don't make any sense sounds like haterade to me
Real recognize real man💯
Whole vid is a marketing masterpiece for both the icecream and weed brands tbh
My issue is, I have nowhere to smoke flower and I dont much like to do so either. So it's vapes and edibles for me. Totally agree that vape oils are insanely way too strong. It takes me months to get through a .5g cartridge lol..
If they could make it taste like ben & jerry ice cream they will take over the world
Any man named BEN is a real one!!! Salute to this man for knowing what real culture is, not involving race or politics. BIG “W” Let’s GO!!!
Great concept.
legalize.
He’ll yeah weed is so good 💨
Amen to that one.
Thank you for all the dedication you guys are bringing all across the board! I'm very excited for moving forward in the direction we were all given the wrong map to follow. I believe it is the gateway to human health. Grow your own food/medicine. It's the only way to control what you are putting in your body. Thanks again! 😊
Idk y but this puts a smile on my face