This 4/20, Last Prisoner Project (LPP) and Ben & Jerry’s are joining forces to urge governors across the country to grant clemency to those still incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. While millions of Americans now legally purchase and profit from cannabis, thousands will remain behind bars for nonviolent cannabis convictions.

Through a nationwide digital campaign and on-the-ground events, Ben & Jerry’s and LPP are encouraging supporters to take direct action by signing petitions, contacting governors, and sharing stories of those unjustly imprisoned. Despite broad bipartisan support and growing momentum for legalization and retroactive relief, states with and without legalized adult-use cannabis continue to incarcerate individuals like Antonio Wyatt, who is behind bars in Kansas, and Robert Deals, who is still serving a lengthy sentence in Arizona.

“It is unacceptable that while legal cannabis generates billions in tax revenue, states still incarcerate people like Antonio Wyatt and Robert Deals who are serving time for the same thing,” said Sarah Gersten, Executive Director of Last Prisoner Project. “Governors have the power to right this wrong, and we’re calling on them to act now.”

The urgency behind this campaign is clear. States continue to enact and enforce outdated cannabis laws—Kansas still maintains full prohibition, while Arizona incarcerates individuals for cannabis-related offenses despite a booming legal market. Meanwhile, public support for clemency is overwhelming; an ACLU poll found that 84% of Americans favor releasing those still behind bars for cannabis offenses. Calls for governors to grant state-level clemency have only been answered by a few leaders like Maryland’s Wes Moore, while many others have failed to act, leaving justice delayed for those still incarcerated.

As part of ground efforts, Ben & Jerry’s will be joining the Cannabis Unity Week of Action in D.C. from April 29th-May 1st, serving ice cream to build public awareness and mobilize grassroots efforts to demand clemency from governors like Katie Hobbs (AZ)  and Laura Kelly (KS). Ben & Jerry’s will also be joining LPP to scoop ice cream at PuffDao’s 4/20 Buds and Bites event at PleasureMed in West Hollywood, CA.

Supporters can help make this a #420ForFreedom by taking the following actions:

✅ Send a letter to your governor urging for cannabis clemency
✅ Sign petitions and share stories for Antonio Wyatt (KS) and Robert Deals (AZ)
✅ Join the Cannabis Unity Week of Action
✅ Amplify the call for justice by sharing on socials with our #420ForFreedom toolkit

✅ Donate to support our constituents with direct financial support

We are grateful for Ben & Jerry’s and all of our 420 For Freedom partners who are supporting us this year including Sunset Lake CBD, The Majority Report Radio, Vessel, Verdi, The Tea House, Dialed in Gummies, Buds Goods, WNC CBD, Jeeter, Counselle Collection, Tree House Cannabis, Ethos, Silver Therapeutics, North Atlantic Seed Co., Releaf Center, The Peach Fuzz, Cats Luck Vegan, and Police and Thieves (POT) and more.

For those interested in supporting our 4/20 efforts, you can learn more at lpp.la/420.

Media contact:

Stephen Post

Strategic Communications Manager, Last Prisoner Project

stephen@lastprisonerproejct.org