Leading Cannabis Justice Advocates Plan 420 Unity Day of Action on 4/18

Stephen Post • January 17, 2024

Leading Cannabis Justice Advocates Plan 420 Unity Day of Action on 4/18


Washington D.C., January 18th – 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. It is imperative that as the federal government seeks to downgrade cannabis’s status from a Schedule I drug, advocates are pushing for the full legalization of cannabis, complete with effective strategies for retroactive relief. 


On April 18th, 2024, Last Prisoner Project (LPP) will be mobilizing the largest bi-partisan coalition of cannabis advocacy, industry, and grassroots organizations in the U.S. to convene in Washington D.C. for a 420 Unity Day of Action to put public pressure on Congress and the President to take action on the full descheduling of cannabis and the necessary retroactive relief measures.


The broad array of advocate groups spans across political boundaries and includes members of the Marijuana Justice Coalition (MJC) like DPA, SSDP, NORML, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, Parabola Center; members of the Cannabis Freedom Alliance (CFA) Reason Foundation, and Law Enforcement Action Partnership; and industry groups like National Cannabis Festival, National Craft Cannabis Coalition, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), Asian Cannabis Roundtable, and National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers (NABCL).


As more organizations join our fight, individuals interested in attending the action can sign up here. 


In addition to mobilizing this day of action, Last Prisoner Project released a memo outlining how cannabis justice advocates can leverage the impending historic change in schedule for cannabis to push the fight for cannabis justice forward by broadening the scope of Biden’s cannabis clemency action, working with Congress and certain administrative agencies to both provide retroactive relief and to reduce prospective cannabis criminal enforcement, and incentivizing states to provide broad retroactive relief, particularly in states that have adopted a fully legal cannabis market. 


“We need an all hands on deck approach to ending the unjust war on our community, which means leveraging incremental wins as we build toward bigger, bolder reforms.” Said Sarah Gersten, LPP Executive Director and author of the memo. “While rescheduling alone will not offer retroactive relief, it would be a historic shift in policy, and we must be ready to push open the door of reform when it happens. We have outlined several ways the administration can achieve real relief and add substance to the President's mostly symbolic reforms so far.”


"We are thrilled to participate in this day of action to underscore the urgency of marijuana justice. We call on Congress to pass comprehensive marijuana reform legislation that deschedules marijuana and provides an equitable framework for marijuana regulation. At this critical juncture for federal marijuana reform, our communities will not be sidelined,” said Maritza Perez Medina, Director of Federal Affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading member of the Marijuana Justice Coalition. “In addition, we implore President Biden to use his executive authority to bring people home from prison immediately and end some of the most egregious harms of marijuana criminalization.”


“Rescheduling marijuana might sound like a good idea, but it’s fraught with danger,” said Geoffrey Lawrence, Research Director at Reason Foundation and Policy Director for the Cannabis Freedom Alliance. “A Schedule III designation would continue to criminalize the manufacture, distribution, or possession of marijuana at the federal level for any products that haven’t received pre-market approval from the FDA. Substantively, that means the change would imply no relief from criminal law for existing consumers or licensees, while any new exercise of regulatory authority by the FDA could imperil existing state-regulated markets. All the progress advocates have made over past decades could be erased. Full descheduling is the only approach that should be considered for marijuana.”


“I’ve spent the past 13 years working to reform the criminal justice system, starting with the War on Drugs,” said Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.), Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership. “And after years of criminalization, it’s time that we deschedule marijuana entirely so we can stop wasting law enforcement resources that could be better spent elsewhere, and make improvements in police-community relations to foster more public trust."


"There is no way to ensure universal veteran and patient access to cannabis in the US without federal descheduling. Cannabis on the Controlled Substances Act is, by far, the single largest barrier to normalizing the plant as a medicine and harm reduction alternative and ending the routine violation of individual liberty created by criminalization.” Said Eric Goepel, Founder & CEO of Veterans Cannabis Coalition. “The hundreds of thousands of veterans dead by suicide and overdose in the last 20 years--and the massive role that unmanaged mental and physical health issues played--are a stark testimony to the failure of the current system to care for those in need.”


“NCIA supports ending the criminalization of our industry by removing cannabis (including THC) from the federal Controlled Substances Act altogether so that our businesses are treated like all other lawful American businesses.” Said Michelle Rutter Friberg -- Director of Government Relations for NCIA. “However, we also support moving cannabis from Schedule I to III as a first step in the right direction, because the federal government would publicly acknowledge the medical value of cannabis and remove the punitive tax burden imposed by Internal Revenue Code 280E on state-legal cannabis businesses.”


Natacha Andrews, Executive Director of the National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers said, “The reality is that alleviating the financial woes of those who already have access to financial resources does nothing to lift the burdens and disenfranchisement to people who have been deprived of liberty, parental rights, employment, education, those who work in cannabis but can't qualify for a home because they have no paystubs, those who’ve lost social welfare benefits such as SNAP/TANF, the deported, veterans, those with medical needs living in one of the 12 holdout states. The real work is digging through the ‘how’ of it all, but we can’t get there without first being honest about what brought us here.”


“MCBA is proud to support this day of action because it’s clear that Congress needs to be reminded during this critical election year that ending prohibition has the broad support of the American public.”  Said Kaliko Castille, MCBA President. ”Congress is the only governing body that can truly end this national nightmare of locking humans in cages simply for possessing or growing a plant. Our communities can’t afford to wait any longer.”


“It is not enough to simply treat the symptoms of bad cannabis policy; we must fix the problem at its root cause.” Said Kat Murti, Executive Director of SSDP. “Young people have always been on the frontlines of the movement to end the War on Drugs. The War on Drugs is a War on Us, and SSDP is dedicated to ensuring that our generation is the one to finally bring it to an end.”


Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) Founder Rob Pero, said, "Accessibility of plant medicine is critical for our communities, especially our Indigenous communities nationwide who are disproportionately affected by opioid abuse and need a safe alternative. Equitable and responsible policy reform is needed to increase access to cannabis and create opportunities for healing, rather than perpetuating harm." 


“We're in a new era in the fight to change our drug laws, and it starts with freeing the people who are locked up for cannabis.” Said Shaleen Title, Founder of the Parabola Law and Policy Center. “For us, this day of action is a demonstration that we will continue together to pay attention to the details, change laws, and hold those in power accountable -- and won't cede our hard-earned power to corporations and lobbyists.”


"As craft cannabis producers, we know that only the full federal legalization of cannabis will provide a level playing field for small and local businesses," said Ross Gordon with the National Craft Cannabis Coalition. "Moving past prohibition-era stigma means treating small cannabis farmers as farmers just like any other form of American agriculture, and comprehensively recognizing and addressing the discrimination and prejudice underlying the ongoing failed War on Drugs."


"It is well past time that cannabis was removed from the Controlled Substances Act scheduling entirely and treated more like other substances that most Americans can utilize responsibly without fear of legal penalties, discrimination, or loss of civil liberties.” said Morgan Fox, NORML Political Director. “While moving cannabis out of Schedule 1 is symbolically important, anything short of descheduling merely perpetuates the conflict between state and federal laws, continues to punish individual consumers and patients, and does nothing to facilitate the study or regulation of cannabis in a fashion that reflects the will of the supermajority of Americans who want to end federal prohibition." 


“Neither rescheduling nor descheduling alone would address the prior decades of unjust arrests, convictions, and criminal sentences for cannabis-related offenses. Retroactive relief is a critical detail as simply ending future arrests does not bring justice to the millions of individuals harmed by decades of past prohibition.” Said Stephanie Shephard, Board Chairwoman of the Last Prisoner Project. “We need full legalization with comprehensive retroactive relief and nothing less than the end to anyone being incarcerated for cannabis crimes.” 


Learn more, sign-up, and stay updated by visiting our event webpage here.


For Media Inquiries:

Jason Ortiz

Director of Strategic Initiatives

press@lastprisonerproject.org 


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.

Dads Should Be Home This Father's Day, Not in Prison for Cannabis

By Stephen Post • June 13, 2025
As families across the country come together this Father’s Day, thousands of children are spending the day without their dads—not because of violence or harm, but because their fathers remain locked away for cannabis-related convictions. In many cases, these men are serving long sentences for conduct that is now legal in much of the United States. Despite cannabis being decriminalized or fully legalized in the majority of states, the human cost of prohibition continues to devastate families—especially those in historically marginalized communities. These are fathers raising their children through prison phone calls and video visits, relying on letters and photographs to stay connected while missing birthdays, report cards, and everyday moments. Behind every sentence is a story. And behind every prison wall is a child wondering why their dad can’t come home. Daniel Longoria is one of those fathers. A U.S.-born, Hispanic man serving a 30-year sentence for a nonviolent cannabis offense, Daniel has not seen or held his children in years. The pain of distance, separation, and injustice weighs heavily on him. He shared the following: “When a Dad has not seen his kids, held his kids and who's son no longer speaks to him because I am over 1,000 miles away from home without a good cause puts such a heaviness in my heart that if I did not have God to turn to, I might have probably already ended my life. My son has now been diagnosed with Mental Behavior Disorder and has attempted suicide three different times. These things as a Father kill me inside because I was a great Dad and my kids loved me, and so Father’s Day is really hard to celebrate anymore. How can I celebrate this day, when I know my kids are struggling out there because of a plant that many states are now making millions, if not billions, of dollars off of it? I have also become a grandfather of two and have yet to meet them. I keep the faith and remain strong in the Lord. One day, I pray to be home and this nightmare be over.” Daniel’s experience is not an isolated one. At Last Prisoner Project, we work with dozens of fathers currently incarcerated for cannabis convictions—men who are missing milestones, parenting through prison walls, and holding on to hope for freedom. These dads include: Terrence Pittman – Father of five, serving a 30-year sentence Rollie Lamar – Father of six, serving an 18-year sentence Antoine Turner – Father of three, serving a 13-year sentence Malik Martin – Father of six, serving a 10-year sentence J’lyne Caldwell – Father of four, serving a 5-year sentence Vinh Nguyen – Father of two, serving a 6-year sentence Rendy Le – Father of two, serving a 5.5-year sentence Sean Scott – Father of one, serving a 5-year sentence Sean Scott’s story is particularly heartbreaking. A former Division I football player and successful real estate entrepreneur, Sean is serving over half a decade for a nonviolent marijuana offense involving nine kilograms and a legally owned firearm. While he remains proud of his past and hopeful for the future, he’s devastated to be missing out on his two-year-old son’s life. “This is my third time away,” Sean said. “And it’s extremely difficult to just watch my son grow and miss another holiday with him.” His fiancée is raising their son alone while also caring for Sean’s elderly mother. Sean is one of many fathers who should be home—not behind bars for something legal in so many parts of the country. Then there’s Rendy Le, a father of two, who reminds us what’s at stake. “You can always make money—but you can’t always make memories,” he said. “Cherish the good times.” It’s a sentiment echoed by every man we work with: time is the most precious thing they’re losing. Despite all this injustice, we also see the other side—stories of reunion, resilience, and redemption. Bryan Reid is one such example. After serving six years of a 12-year cannabis sentence, Bryan is now home and rebuilding his life with his children. “When I went in, my son was just one and my daughter was three,” Bryan told us. “I missed every first and last day of school. But now? Now I’m their sports dad, Santa, and biggest fan.” In the 15 months since his release, Bryan has made new memories—picking his kids up from school for the first time, visiting trampoline parks, and watching his oldest daughters graduate college. “Watching them grow into strong, independent women and seeing how hard they’ve worked for everything they have is nothing short of incredible,” he said. “It was an honor to stand beside them.” Bryan’s return to fatherhood, though hard-earned, is a reminder of why we fight. No one should be separated from their children over cannabis. No child should grow up wondering why their father is in prison for something now sold legally in dispensaries across the country. This Father’s Day, let’s do more than celebrate. Let’s commit to changing the laws, freeing the fathers, and reuniting families. Join us in advocating for clemency, resentencing, and restorative justice—for Daniel, Sean, Rendy, and the thousands of others still waiting to come home. Want to help this Father’s Day? Share their stories and donate to support our work! Bryan Reid Enjoying Freedom

Last Prisoner Project’s Journey to Justice Gala to Honor Impacted Families and Push the Fight for Freedom Forward

June 12, 2025
Wednesday, October 15 at Sony Hall in New York City Notable Guests Include Carmelo Anthony, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, Dr. Wendy & Eddie Osefo, Fab 5 Freddy, Keith Shocklee and Studdah Man of Public Enemy, and Guy Torry with a Performance by Joy Oladokun PURCHASE TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION

Illegal Here, Legal There: Alexander Kirk’s Journey Through Cannabis Criminalization

By Stephanie Shepard • May 14, 2025
When Alexander Kirk walked out of prison on December 10th, he stepped into a world that had shifted beneath his feet. But the shift wasn’t universal. In Iowa, where he lives, cannabis is still fully illegal. Drive two minutes across the bridge into Illinois, and that same plant, once the root of his decade-long incarceration, is not only legal but a booming, billion-dollar industry. That contradiction sits at the center of Alex’s story. He’s a father, a mechanic, a reader, and a deep thinker. He’s also someone who spent more than ten years of his life behind bars for the same substance that dispensaries now sell with flashy packaging and tax revenue incentives. “It’s crazy,” he says. “One side of the bridge is legal, the other side isn’t. It’s hard to believe.” A Life Interrupted Alex’s most recent sentence—ten years in federal prison—started with a bust that was as much about timing and proximity as anything else. He was on federal probation for a previous cannabis offense. A raid at a residence he didn’t live in, but where his truck was parked, ended with a federal indictment. A tip from his child’s mother, who was angry about a disagreement over vacation plans, helped open the door for the investigation. “She made a call, gave them a tip,” Alex recalls, without bitterness, just clarity. “And that’s all it took.” The charges? Conspiracy to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana—a charge that, while less than the quantities tied to large-scale trafficking operations, still carried weight under federal law. He received 80 months for the new charge and another 40 months for violating parole. The math added up to a lost decade. “I had already done ten and a half years the first time,” Alex says. “I was institutionalized. Prison became familiar. It’s where I knew how to move.” But even when you know the rules, prison isn’t easy. The hardest part for Alex wasn’t the food, the routines, or the guards—it was missing his children growing up. “I got five kids. Three of the older ones talked to me after and explained how I chose the streets over them. That was hard. But it was true.” He reflects on it now with a kind of painful honesty: “I didn’t want to pay for weed, so I started selling it. I smoked, and I hustled. Eventually, it got out of hand.” Knowledge Behind Bars Alex didn’t spend his time in prison passively. He worked in the prison garage, learning to fix cars—something he’d loved as a kid. He dove into books and self-help titles. One that stuck with him was The Voice of Knowledge by Don Miguel Ruiz. “That one changed things,” he says. “It helped me realize everyone’s got their own story they’re telling themselves. That helped me stop taking things so personally.” He also began thinking about the world beyond prison. He drafted a business plan for a youth program designed to keep teens from ending up like him. “I wanted to show them they had options,” he says. “You don’t always get that when you grow up in survival mode.” The Politics of Legalization What’s jarring about Alex’s story is not just the sentence—it’s the fact that it happened while the national conversation around cannabis was changing rapidly. By the time Alex was halfway through his sentence, multiple states had legalized recreational marijuana. Billion-dollar brands were being built. Politicians were posing for ribbon-cuttings at dispensaries. Celebrities were launching product lines. And people like Alex were still behind bars. “It’s unjust,” he says bluntly. “There’s no reason someone should be locked up for weed while companies are out here getting rich off it. The little guy got crushed. They legalized it after locking us up, but didn’t let us out.” The irony was never lost on him: that he was doing hard time for something that was now a tax revenue stream in neighboring Illinois. A Second Chance and Real Support Alex’s sentence was reduced under the First Step Act—a federal law aimed at correcting some of the harshest penalties in the justice system. Thanks to that and a longer placement in a halfway house, he was released earlier than expected. Through a friend, he reconnected with a woman from his past who introduced him to the Last Prisoner Project (LPP) . At first, he was skeptical. “We never heard about people helping folks like us. I didn’t think it was real.” But he gave it a chance—and found not just advocacy, but consistency. “Even getting emails, updates, hearing from people… that helped. It made me feel like someone gave a damn.” Through LPP, he learned that he qualifies as a social equity candidate in states with legalization programs. That means access to business licenses and support that could help him transition into the legal cannabis industry. He also learned he might qualify for early termination of his probation—a process he’s now pursuing. “I want to get into the legal side,” he says. “I know the game. I lived it. Now I want to do it right.” Life After Prison Alex is currently working in the halfway house kitchen. He’s trying to stay grounded, focused, and patient. Reentry is never easy. “You come out and everything is fast. You feel like you’re behind. But I remind myself: it’s not a race.” He’s rebuilding relationships with his kids. He’s focused on starting a business—maybe something in cannabis or something with cars. He hasn’t fully decided, but he knows he wants to help others, too.  “There’s still a lot of people inside,” he says. “And they shouldn’t be. Not for weed. If we’re really gonna legalize it, let’s legalize it for everybody. That means letting people go.” “Get to Know Their Story” Alex doesn’t want pity. He’s not asking for a handout. What he wants is what most people want: a chance to live free, to work, to be with his family. To matter. “Just because someone’s been to prison doesn’t make them violent. Doesn’t make them a bad person. Get to know their story.” Alex’s story is one of transformation, not because the system rehabilitated him, but because he did the work on his own. Now he wants to use his experience to change the system itself. He’s already started.