In 2005 Andy Cox was indicted for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana for growing cannabis plants in the forest on Andy's father's property. A former firefighter, small business owner, and father of three, Andy told Rolling Stone in 2017 the plan was to “grow some really good buds” and “to sell and smoke the weed after harvesting.” (Something cannabis industry leaders are now doing across the country, free of prosecution, raking in millions.)

Despite there being no violence attached to the crime, Andy was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, and has been incarcerated for the past 12 years. At the time of his sentencing, prosecuting attorney David E. Nahmias stated in a press release: “He will have no more chances to poison our communities with illegal drugs, and his sentence should send a message that our national forests are not a safe haven for crime." During his incarceration Andy lost his father, youngest son, and many friends and family members.

In 2020, pro bono attorneys at Goodwin filed a motion for resentencing through LPP's federal compassionate release program. Yesterday, that order was granted.

We are thrilled for Andy to finally get the justice he has been so long denied. Welcome home, Andy!