Kevin Allen is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in Louisiana after he was convicted of selling $20 worth of marijuana.

In March of 2014, Kevin Allen was convicted by a split jury (11-1) on two counts of distribution of marijuana. Initially sentenced to ten years imprisonment of hard labor for each count, the state filed for an enhancement of punishment under the state’s habitual offender statutes, and Kevin was then resentenced to life imprisonment without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. And while Mr. Allen’s lengthy sentence was due in part to his previous charges, it bears repeating that all of his prior convictions were non-violent, controlled substance possession violations. Given Louisiana has passed legislation eliminating the possibility of jail time for low-level marijuana possession offenses like Mr. Allen’s, (as well as the fact that the state is currently raking in taxes from its booming medical marijuana industry) we feel strongly that Mr. Allen’s punishment is not commensurate with the seriousness of the crime. 

In addition, a new Louisiana law—La.C.Cr.P. art. 930.10a—provides an opportunity for J. Schuyler Marvin— the Bossier and Webster Parish District Attorney—to reduce Mr. Allen’s sentence by working with him to come to a mutually agreed upon “post-conviction plea agreement”.

In layman's terms, DA Marvin has the power to release Kevin.

When it comes to cannabis, it seems the state will do everything but undo the harms it continues to enforce through criminalization. 

Since we launched our #FreeKevinAllen campaign, Louisiana has expanded the number of medical dispensaries in the state (medical sales are expected to reach between $90 million and $110 million by the end of the year) and enacted legal protections for state workers who use cannabis. In fact, some Louisiana politicians are even applying for licenses themselves. 

This hypocrisy has gone on for long enough. And it’s time for our elected officials to do something to end it. 

This is why Last Prisoner Project, alongside a coalition of Louisiana criminal justice reform advocates and industry partners, has sent a letter to DA J. Schuyler Marvin calling on him to use his power to free Kevin Allen. The coalition, which includes organizations like the Baton Rouge NAACP, The Promise of Justice Initiative, Louisiana Parole Project, Dutchie, and Marijuana Policy Project (amongst many others), all of whom believe that people should not languish in state prison due to cannabis convictions while others freely profit from the newly legal industry.

It bears repeating that the more people who put pressure on DA Marvin to release Kevin Allen from incarceration, the more likely we are to see his office arrange for a post-conviction plea agreement. To that end, we encourage you to use our scripts to call and email DA Marvin's office to let him know you will not stop fighting until Kevin is free. You can also share our letter and #FreeKevinAllen advocacy page to amplify your call to action.

Read the full letter here.