Last Prisoner Project

We are honored to have been named to the Clean Slate Task Force in Hawai’i, which will work to implement the first-ever state-initiated record clearance program in the state’s history. Thousands of Hawai’i residents carry a criminal record for cannabis possession even though they are eligible to have it expunged. We hope that this bill will serve as a foundation for broader record relief moving forward. Thank you to Rep. David Tarnas and all the representatives and partner organizations who helped make this possible. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eD_rG7XG

Chance and injustice brought Donte West and Kyle Page together. Both incarcerated for victimless cannabis-related offenses in Kansas, Donte made it his mission to not only free himself—but bring Kyle home as well. Now, they’re working together at Last Prisoner Project to free Antonio Wyatt, Deshaun Durham, and all those still behind bars for victimless cannabis offenses in Kansas and beyond. #FreeAllCannabisPrisoners #FreeAntonioWyatt #FreeDeshaunDurham https://lnkd.in/eHMP5izs

After completing a 10-year sentence for cannabis in 2019, LPP’s Director of Advocacy Stephanie Shepard was still not free. She’d spend the next 5 years on probation, having her every move supervised and monitored. But on June 4, 2024, her probation period finally ended and she knew exactly how she planned to spend her “Freedom Day” — making her first legal cannabis purchase. “As I reclaim my freedom and embrace this new chapter in my life, I realize that I am not defined by my years in prison but by the resilience, perseverance, and unwavering belief that we are headed in the direction to right the wrongs done by cannabis prohibition and I am finally free to fully engage.” Read Stephanie’s full story on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eDVuZ9Wu

Thank you to Josh Kesselman of RAW for helping us change lives and #FreeAllCannabisPrisoners! 💚🙏

LPP constituent David Lopez is a 64-year-old father of three. In 2017, David was sentenced to 293 months (over 24 years) in prison, 10 years of supervised release, and a $50,000 fine for victimless cannabis-related offenses. David's extreme sentence was influenced by a major error in his case. The prosecutor referenced a state conviction from 20 years prior, falsely claiming David had been charged with possession of 1,000 kilograms of cannabis. In truth, the conviction was only for 35 grams. David's attorney did not contest this incorrect information, leading to an unjustly harsh sentence. In 2023, the court recognized this mistake but kept his original sentence. Had the accurate information been presented initially, his sentence would likely have been much shorter, potentially around 5 years. Despite David’s exemplary behavior in prison (he has earned nine letters of support from Bureau of Prisons Correctional staff), he remains incarcerated. We are asking our followers to join the #FreeDavidLopez movement, urging President Biden to grant David clemency and finally reunite him with his family. Take action here: https://lnkd.in/eGZURkdN National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

The #PenToRightHistory is changing lives, helping to free thousands of cannabis prisoners across the country. Tag your governor and tell them to join the movement. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/etyEJ8nA

Thank you to the wonderful Jason Ortiz for joining us for the second time at our federal cannabis policy crash course! Jason is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Last Prisoner Project. Jason was arrested for simple cannabis possession at the age of 16 in Norwich CT, and that experience inspired him to become a cannabis justice advocate. He was one of the founding board Members of the Minority Cannabis Business Association and is the immediate past Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. In addition to his drug policy activism, Jason sits on the board of the CT Working Families Party and has served as President of the Connecticut Puerto Rican Agenda where he organized for economic justice for his home island of Puerto Rico. Most recently, Jason is well known for his leadership of the 420 Unity Coalition. Come see him speak this Saturday! https://lnkd.in/eBwKteT8

Maryland’s Gov. Wes Moore has announced the Cannabis Workforce Development Program, an initiative to help individuals with cannabis-related criminal offenses re-enter the workforce! A criminal record can severely limit employment opportunities for individuals and create significant barriers to success. This new program will offer specialized training as well as job placement services. Earlier this month, Gov. Moore used Last Prisoner Project’s Pen To Right History to make a sweeping executive order pardoning more than 175,000 individuals with cannabis convictions. We applaud Gov. Moore for his ongoing efforts to provide retroactive relief to those harmed by cannabis prohibition in Maryland and we hope to see these efforts replicated in states across the country. Read more about this program via Black Cannabis Magazine®: https://lnkd.in/eHiFhVw2

247 years. That's how long our 13 constituents with the longest sentences have collectively spent behind bars. The same amount of time since the U.S. declared its independence. No one should be imprisoned for offenses that are now legal—and we won't stop fighting until they are home. Read their stories and find out how you can take action for their freedom here: https://lnkd.in/eaJjbX8Y

While rescheduling cannabis signifies progress, it does NOT provide justice to the tens of thousands still incarcerated.⁣ However, we must use this moment to push for greater reform and retroactive relief. Find out how you can make your voice heard by submitting a comment by July 22, 2024. https://lnkd.in/etD8mmmE