FREE NEW JERSEY
CANNABIS PRISONERS
Imagine sitting in a cell for years, decades, or even for life, convicted of an activity that is no longer a crime, while thousands of other people build intergenerational wealth doing exactly the same thing.
That is the situation that cannabis prisoners face today in New Jersey despite cannabis being fully legalized via ballot initiative in November 2020.
Now as the state prepares to regulate a potential billion dollar industry, we must ensure that those still incarcerated for using, cultivating, or selling cannabis are freed.
NEW JERSEY'S PRISONERS OF PROHIBITION
ALVI GHAZNAVI
The 25-year old husband and father of a two-year old son is currently serving a 12 year sentence for a marijuana offense.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began he has been unable to see his family and communication is very restricted. When he was incarcerated his son had just turned a year old, and now he has missed half of his lifetime due to his harsh sentence.
HUMBERTO RAMIREZ
In 2020, just days after voters overwhelmingly approved legalizing cannabis for adult-use, Humberto Ramirez was sentenced to seven years in state prison for having 6 pounds of marijuana in his trunk. Humberto is a hard working, loving, father of three girls. It was because of his commitment to his family and support that his wife, Brooke was able to achieve her dreams of becoming a nurse.
His family's lives were shattered the day he was convicted. He has been unable to see his family during his incarceration due to the ongoing pandemic and has been unable to access adequate medical care.
MARIO RAMOS
In 2017, after Governor Murphy stated that in his first 90 days in office he would fully legalize marijuana, Mario Ramos, a longtime cannabis advocate and activist, started growing marijuana plants in the hopes of being to enter the newly legal industry. Despite being a legacy operator in the industry, rather than find opportunity in New Jersey, Mario was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
After spending two years in custody, just days after New Jersey voters approved the ballot initiative to legalize adult-use, Mario was sentenced to seven years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We're urging Governor Murphy to grant categorical clemency for all New Jersey cannabis prisoners. Add your voice to our petition today!
