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Strategy

Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang Rolls Out Cannabis-Themed Merch

A baseball cap celebrating math and marijuana has already sold out.

We’ve come a long way from Bill Clinton not inhaling.

Instead of presidential hopefuls shying away from marijuana, one Democratic candidate in 2019 is embracing Mary Jane. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang’s campaign has recently unveiled a line of cannabis-themed merchandise. The limited edition products blend Yang's love of mathematics with his support for cannabis reform. A $30 T-shirt is emblazoned with "Math. Money. Marijuana." An already-sold-out baseball cap says "Math" on the front and displays a cannabis leaf on the back. There's also a bumper sticker that says "Legalize Marijuana."

Yang, who says he has never personally consumed cannabis, has often discussed his support for cannabis legalization and broader drug policy reform on the campaign trail. In April, he said he would pardon all non-violent drug offenders on 4/20, the unofficial marijuana holiday, Forbes reported. However, he later clarified that he would only grant mass clemency to people convicted of cannabis crimes rather than anyone incarcerated for a non-violent drug offense.

Last week, the candidate sent a fundraising email to his list pledging, "On my first day as President, I will pardon every person imprisoned for a low-level, non-violent marijuana offense and I would high five them on their way out of jail."

The world-renowned businessman understands the potential of the cannabis market, which is increasingly ripe with opportunity for promo firms. Since 2012, 11 states have legalized marijuana for recreational use and since 1996, 33 states have legalized medical marijuana. As widespread acceptance has increased, so has the amount of consumers. Legal marijuana sales in North America were predicted to hit $9.7 billion in 2017, representing an unprecedented 33% rise over 2016, according to cannabis industry analyst Arcview Market Research. State tax revenue from cannabis retail sales are predicted to total $2.3 billion in 2020, research agency New Frontier Data reports. The industry is expected to reach $24.5 billion in sales by 2021 as more states follow suit and existing markets mature.