As cannabis becomes increasingly normalized across the United States, former professional basketball player Jarred Shaw remains imprisoned overseas on cannabis-related charges. Organizers of next month’s Michigan Vlasic Classic hope to change that.
Returning to St. John’s Resort in Plymouth on July 10, the annual event brings together cannabis executives, brands and advocates for a day of networking, fundraising and community impact. This year’s tournament will benefit The Forgotten Prisoner Foundation, an international humanitarian justice organization that advocates for individuals incarcerated on cannabis-related charges worldwide. Proceeds from the event will help provide direct support to Shaw and his family during his incarceration.
Hosted by Vlasic Labs, the annual tournament has become a fixture on Michigan’s cannabis industry calendar, combining business networking with advocacy efforts aimed at supporting those impacted by cannabis criminalization.
Founded by members of the family behind the iconic Vlasic pickle brand, Vlasic Labs is a Michigan-based cannabinoid company that has increasingly aligned its business efforts with cannabis justice initiatives.
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“You can’t hear Jarred’s story and not want to support him,” says Vlasic Labs CEO Willy Vlasic. “We felt a responsibility to use the platform we’ve built through the Vlasic Classic to support Jarred, his family, and the broader conversation around cannabis justice. It is my goal that we will get Jarred home this year.”
Jarred Shaw’s Case Highlights Ongoing Global Cannabis Risks
Shaw, a former standout at Oklahoma State and Utah State who went on to play professional basketball around the world, was arrested in Indonesia in May 2025 after authorities intercepted a package containing 132 cannabis gummies that had been shipped from Thailand.
Prosecutors initially pursued severe drug-trafficking charges that carried the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty under Indonesia’s strict narcotics laws. Shaw has maintained that the gummies were intended to help manage symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease. He was ultimately convicted on a lesser possession charge and sentenced to 26 months in prison, but advocates say his health has deteriorated while incarcerated.
Shaw’s case has become a stark reminder that while cannabis laws continue to evolve throughout much of North America and parts of Europe, harsh penalties remain in place in many regions around the world.
“Too many people assume cannabis justice is a solved issue because legalization has expanded, but that’s simply not the case,” Vlasic says. “Cannabis justice in 2026 means continuing to support the people and families who are still dealing with the consequences of prohibition. If our industry is benefiting from legalization, we have an obligation to help those who never got the chance to benefit from it.”
Vlasic Classic Expands Its Impact
Now in its third year in Michigan, the Vlasic Classic is part of a broader tournament series that also includes events in Missouri and Las Vegas.
According to organizers, the series has raised more than $165,000 to support justice reform initiatives, prisoner assistance programs and second-chance opportunities for individuals affected by cannabis-related convictions.
The Michigan event follows a recent Missouri tournament that raised $25,000 for cannabis justice organizations, including support for The Forgotten Prisoner Foundation.
Industry Leaders Gather in Plymouth
Participants in the July 10 golf tournament will compete on St. John’s 18-hole course alongside some of the industry’s leading executives and brands. The event will feature sponsor activations, an awards gala, an afterparty, and “most importantly, an opportunity for everyone attending to directly support Jarred Shaw and The Forgotten Prisoner Foundation,” Vlasic shares. “It’s going to be a fun event with a purpose.”
JARS Cannabis has signed on as the event’s presenting sponsor, and several major cannabis brands and service providers are expected to participate, including Lume, Kushy Punch, Jeeter, Zig Zag, Dutchie and Kairos Testing.
Sponsorship opportunities remain available for companies interested in supporting the fundraiser.
As the legal cannabis industry continues to mature, organizers hope the Vlasic Classic serves as a reminder that cannabis justice extends beyond legalization. For Shaw, his family and others facing cannabis-related incarceration around the world, advocates say meaningful change requires continued awareness, support and action.
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