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Advocates and Lawmakers Urge For Cannabis Decriminalization at 420 Unity Day of Action Press Conference

Stephen Post • Apr 17, 2024

Today Last Prisoner Project (LPP), alongside other partner organizations, hosted a 420 Unity Day of Action press conference at the House Triangle in front of the U.S. Capitol building where we were joined by elected officials who have been leading the fight for cannabis reform including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon), and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Massachusetts) to encourage their colleagues on both sides of the aisle to end the hypocrisy of cannabis criminalization.


Rep. Pressley said that, “criminalizing marijuana is part of the failed war on drugs and sustained a mass incarceration crisis that has ravaged our communities, destabilized our amilies and inflicted generational trauma. When we’re talking about the war on drugs, cannabis justice and the shameful crisis of mass incarceration, there are no excuses for the problem. No excuses, but there is a solution—and clemency is a part of that solution.” She continued saying, “Cannabis justice is racial justice. Cannabis justice is economic justice. Cannabis justice is reparative. It is restorative justice. And the time to act is now.


“The War on Drugs has failed, and it’s past time that cannabis be descheduled,” said Wyden. “That’s why I am proud to join forces for the 420 Unity Day of Action to bring America’s cannabis policies into the 21st century. But we can’t stop at descheduling. Congress must do more to repair the harm caused by a decades old-drug war—like passing the Cannabis Administration And Opportunity Act I introduced with Leader Schumer and Senator Booker. Meaningful cannabis reform will ensure communities of color receive equal justice and pave the way for small businesses to thrive in their local communities."


Rep. Blumenauer said, “Forces are aligned to be able to end this failed war on drugs and mobilize unprecedented support across the country. And, frankly, the Biden administration has been doing a little realignment, which I welcome. But it’s time to not just realign but get it done. President Biden, if I was interested in mobilizing young people—if I was interested in energizing them—this is a no-brainer.” 


On April 18th, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) joined advocates to convene at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Auditorium at 9 a.m. for Lobby Day programming and meetings with elected officials and their staff to apply public pressure on Congress and the President to take action to fully legalize cannabis, free those still in prison, and provide retroactive relief. Capping off the 420 Unity Day of Action, the public is invited to attend a candlelight vigil in front of the White House at Lafayette Square on April 18 from 7-10 p.m. 


For supporters who can’t make it to D.C. but would still like to join our fight for cannabis justice, we encourage you to contact your elected officials by sending them a letter and calling their offices urging them to decriminalize cannabis now. 


420 Unity Day of Action is part of the National Cannabis Festival which takes place at RFK Campus Festival Grounds on April 19th and 20th where directly-impacted advocates will join celebrity voices like M-1 of Dead Prez and JoJo Simmons for multiple panel conversations with partners on how we can push the movement forward. This will culminate with headlined concerts by Thundercat and Wu-Tang Clan with Redman.


Thanks to the broader array of advocate groups spanning across political boundaries that are supporting the 420 Unity Day of Action:

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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