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Last Prisoner Project Mobilizes Largest Coalition of Bipartisan Cannabis Advocates to Washington, DC during Cannabis Summit

Stephen Post • Apr 19, 2024

Congressional Leaders, Grassroots Organizations & Cannabis Industry Activists Call for Decriminalization during 420 Unity Day of Action


Multi-Day Activism Concludes with Moving White House Candlelight Vigil Honoring those Still Incarcerated and their Families


PRESS HERE to Download Photos + Videos from the Week’s Events


Washington D.C., April 19 – Over the past several days, Last Prisoner Project (LPP) has been mobilizing the largest coalition of bipartisan cannabis advocacy, industry, and grassroots organizations, as well as individual activists to convene in Washington D.C. for a 420 Unity Day of Action. A number of lobbying events applied public pressure on Congress and President Biden, encouraging them to take action to fully legalize cannabis, free those still in prison and clear cannabis-related convictions. 


Although 24 states and D.C. have legalized adult-use cannabis sales and the vast majority of the U.S. population now lives in states with some form of legal cannabis, tens of thousands of people remain in state and federal prison and millions still suffer the collateral consequences of a criminal record for the same activity others now profit from. 


Advocates were joined by several elected officials who have been leading the fight for cannabis reform including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Massachusetts) who spoke during Wednesday’s press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol, and the next day Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) spoke to advocates at the Capitol Visitor Center before Lobby Day meetings with elected officials from both parties including Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York),  Sen. Kirsten Sinema (D-Arizona), Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Sen. Bill Cassiday (R-Louisiana), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia), and others to call for the full legalization of cannabis, the removal of criminal penalties and retroactive relief. Specifically, advocates called on lawmakers to co-sponsor one of the three pieces of legislation which would federally legalize cannabis, the MORE Act, States Rights Act, and the soon to be re-introduced CAOA, as well as the HOPE Act, which was introduced in the Senate on Thursday and would provide funding for state-level expungement programs. 


Capping off 48 hours of lobbying and activism, formerly incarcerated LPP constituents Bryan Reid, Kyle Page, Donte West and Andy Cox, and families of those still incarcerated including Mitzi Wall and Alicia Deals, were joined by hundreds of advocates for a candlelight vigil in front of the White House to honor all those harmed by cannabis criminalization.


Throughout the week, directly-impacted advocates were joined by celebrity voices including Rosario Dawson, M-1 of Dead Prez, and JoJo Simmons who used their platforms to spread the calls to decriminalize far beyond the capital. This advocacy work to broaden the movement and get people engaged on these issues will continue throughout the weekend as the 4/20 Unity events culminate with the National Cannabis Festival taking place today and tomorrow (April 19-20) at RFK Campus Festival Grounds which includes educational panels and a fireside chat with Last Prisoner Project Board Member M-1. The weekend will conclude with a concert headlined by Thundercat and Wu-Tang Clan with Last Prisoner Project Ambassador Redman. 


To join the fight for cannabis justice, contact your elected officials by sending them a letter and calling their offices urging them to decriminalize cannabis now.



Photo Credit: Ben Droz


The bipartisan advocacy groups that joined LPP this week included:


ABOUT LAST PRISONER PROJECT

Last Prisoner Project is dedicated to freeing those incarcerated due to the War on Drugs, reuniting their families, and helping them rebuild their lives. As laws change, there remains a fundamental injustice for individuals whose conviction is no longer a crime. We work to repair these harms through legal intervention, constituent support, direct advocacy, and policy change.  Visit www.lastprisonerproject.org or text FREEDOM to 24365 to learn more.


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For Media Inquiries:

Linda Carbone & Katie Leggett

PRESS HERE

linda@presshereproductions.com | katie@pressherepublicity.com 


Stephen Post

Last Prisoner Project’s Strategic Communications Manager

stephen@lastprsionerproject.org | press@lastprisonerproject.org 




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Melissa Charran Spent Mother's Day Separated From Her Son Because of a Cannabis Conviction

By Stephen Post • 14 May, 2024
As millions celebrated Mother’s Day, LPP constituent and mother Melissa Charran spent the day behind bars. Like countless other families impacted by the War on Drugs, Melissa’s son is growing up without both of his parents. In a letter to LPP, Melissa shares her story: “It is truly unbelievable to be sitting here, in federal prison, for something many folks on the outside are building businesses out of. That was, and still is, a dream of mine—to own and operate my own brand within the c🍃nnabis industry. “I was charged in Denver, Colorado, where I lived at the time with my other half, Eric. He was also arrested and sentenced to 13 years. Being 5 months pregnant when I was arrested caused me a ton of stress and also resulted in an unhealthy amount of weight loss—something I’ve struggled with for a long time even prior to my arrest, which was the ultimate reason behind obtaining a medical 🍃 card in Colorado. “My pretrial supervision took place in Minnesota where I submitted to random urine tests, home inspections, therapy requirements and had to seek employment. I was successful, all while carrying my baby to full term, gave birth (without his father by my side) and raising him with the help of my family. “Although I served 2 years and 5 months pretrial, it was not satisfactory for the federal government … My sentencing judge stated that he 'needed to make an example out of me.' He gave me 24 months plus 1 year probation. “It kills me everyday to know that my 2-year-old son has to grow up without his parents, and I have felt helpless for a long time. I am beyond thankful to have heard from LPP, and I look forward to what feels like a hopeful future now.” As part of our advocacy program, LPP has supported Melissa with commissary funding, letters of support, and will recieve a reenty grant upon her release.

Christian Reichert and His Mother Tina Share the Power a Mom Can Have This Mother's Day

By Stephen Post • 10 May, 2024
After Christian Reichert was sentenced to 23 years in prison for cannabis, his mother Tina would stop at nothing to bring him home. This Mother’s Day, please consider donating to support all mothers impacted by cannabis prohibition—both at home and behind bars. His mother Tina shared this statement:⁣ ⁣ ”I just want to thank everyone that has helped Christian, I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and generosity. We are truly grateful and could not have gotten prepared for him without the help of so many and the help we received from organizations like The Last Prisoner Project. We appreciate them all greatly. ⁣ ⁣ We are so excited [to have Christian home]. He’s having a lot of anxiety in this transition after almost 8 years of being incarcerated but is looking forward to [being] home. Please keep him and my family in your prayers during this celebration of freedom.” ⁣ Christian will now be a part of the Last Prisoner Project reentry program, where we will help provide resources to aid in his successful transition back into society. ⁣

Last Prisoner Project Supports the Reintroduction of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA)

By Stephen Post • 02 May, 2024
This week, Senators Booker, Schumer, and Wyden reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), comprehensive legislation that would legalize cannabis federally, expunge cannabis records, and release cannabis prisoners. Here are just a few highlights to help breakdown this bill: CAOA, if passed, could finally decriminalize cannabis on the federal level. Federal courts would have 1 year to expunge or seal arrests, convictions, and juvenile delinquency adjudications for most non-violent federal cannabis offenses. They'd also be required to educate recipients on the effects of their expungement(s). Some federal cannabis tax revenue would be directed to organizations that help people secure state-level cannabis expungements. The Bureau of Prisons would have 60 DAYS TO RELEASE (and vacate the convictions of) individuals serving tiem for most federal cannabis-only offenses. Individuals whose convictions don't fall under those guidelines, or whose sentences were enhanced because of prior cannabis convictions, would be able to petition the court for a reduced sentence. The feds wouldn't be able to deny people federal public assistance because of cannabis use, possession, or convictions. They also would not be able to consider cannabis a controlled substance for the purposes of immigration proceedings. Read more about the CAOA here and read recent coverage in Filter Mag and Marijuana Moment of our 420 Unity Day where we joined with advocates to talk to Sen. Schumer and other lawmakers about the CAOA and other efforts to enact cannabis justice
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