Evelyn LaChapelle

Oakland, CA native Evelyn LaChapelle is an experienced events coordinator and community liaison, who is now utilizing her professional position within the legal cannabis industry to advocate for restorative justice. She is an active member of the Last Prisoner Project, dedicated to redressing the past and continuing harms caused by the war on cannabis through clemency and reentry programs. Evelyn has been impacted by the War on Drugs firsthand: in 2013, the Loyola Marymount University graduate and mother of a four-year-old daughter was convicted on three charges related to her minor role in a marijuana distribution operation. She was sentenced to 87 months in prison. She had no prior record, nor any indicators that she was a repeat offender. On February 1, 2019 she was released from federal custody and began her 4-year probation sentence, during which she was hired as a sales and catering coordinator for a prominent hotel, but then subsequently fired after a co-worker searched her name and found her convictions.

Evelyn has overcome these challenges and found success in the legal cannabis industry through her work at infusion technology company Vertosa, where she manages all public and industry events. Back in her Oakland hometown, where Vertosa is based, Evelyn coordinates happy hours and neighborhood collaboration events, such as First Fridays, which make space for locals to interact and enjoy cannabis as a community. Evelyn also spearheads Vertosa’s partnership with the Last Prisoner Project, as well as community service programs including gardening outings.

Through community engagement, Evelyn works to create a more transparent and accessible industry that encourages minorities to penetrate all aspects of the business, including in the labs and the executive offices. She has also made it her goal to create a real second chance for men and women being released from prison through her work with both Vertosa and the Last Prisoner Project.