Jacob Plowden

About Jacob Plowden

Jacob Plowden began his advocacy with Students for Sensible Drug Policy while at Baruch College when recruited by renowned cannabis PR specialist and friend Leland Radovanovic. Jacob now currently serves as SSDP’s State Coordinator for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is the largest global youth-led network dedicated to ending the War on Drugs. At its heart, SSDP is a grassroots organization, led by a Board of Directors primarily elected by and from our student and youth members. SSDP brings young people of all political and ideological orientations together to have honest conversations about drugs and drug policy. We create change by providing a platform where members collaborate, communicate, share resources with, and coach each other to generate policy change, deliver honest drug education, and promote harm reduction. Jacob Plowden is also the co-founder and Deputy Director of the Cannabis Cultural Association (CCA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides resources to disenfranchised communities to enter the legal cannabis and hemp industries, and to advocate for justice on behalf of communities adversely affected by the War on Drugs. CCA was one of the main plaintiffs in Washington v Barr (2019), originally Washington v Sessions (2017), the revolutionary case that challenged the constitutionality of the Controlled Substances Act.

Experience

1. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut State Coordinator

   Students For Sensible Drug Policy Ssdp

   Sep 2021 — Present

   Managing chapter support, alumni engagement, and policy campaigns in the state of New York with a strong emphasis on introducing our model decriminalization resolution through coalitions with new and existing allies Overseing fundraising efforts in New York State and provide organizational support for our New York State Chapters DONOR DEVELOPMENT Maintains active and fruitful relationship with donors in New York State Plans and executes fundraising campaigns targeting New York’s burgeoning cannabis and psychedelic industries Encourages chapters and students to develop expertise in fundraising and conducting fundraising for chapter activities Aids development staff in highlighting student activities, stories, and accomplishments to the SSDP donor community ADVOCACY AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT Aids in developing policy analysis as assigned or in collaboration with state activists and allies Builds coalition with community-based allies to further relevant policy and advocacy goals; works with SSDP members to build coalition with campus-based allies and others representing communities most harmed by the Drug War Facilitates programs designed to strengthen the skills of students and SSDP members, provides opportunities for chapters to accomplish political and fundraising objectives, and advances SSDP’s role and profile in advancing sensible drug policy

Education

• Borough of Manhattan Community College

  Associate of Arts (A.A.), Business Administration and Management, General

  2011 — 2014

• Baruch College

  Bachelor's degree, Business/Corporate Communications

  2015 — 2016