Sarah Gersten, executive director and general counsel of the Last Prisoner Project, said Biden’s action offers “hope — not just for those freed today, but for all the individuals still incarcerated for cannabis and their families that have been impacted by the War on Drugs.”
MEDIA
Shepard believes the holiday should be used as a day to remember the people who are still incarcerated for cannabis offenses. “It’s great to celebrate the plant, and all its benefits,” Shepard says. “But how are you going to do that when you have people serving life sentences for that very thing?”
“The one thing that is probably of top concern to the president right now is his legacy, and I know that he wants to leave a positive legacy on racial justice, on criminal justice. That’s why he did center those things in his administration,” Gersten tells The Recast.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
PEN TO RIGHT HISTORY
Developed with McCann, this clemency-focused campaign shared the personal stories of people still incarcerated for cannabis, urging governors and the president to grant them freedom. It earned two D&AD Wooden Pencils, a Silver Cannes Glass Lion Award, recognition at the NYC Film Festival, and honors from ADCOLOR for its cultural impact and moving storytelling.
PARDON PEOPLE NOT POULTRY
Created with Sid Lee, this bold campaign urged President Biden to use his annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon as a moment to also grant clemency to cannabis prisoners. The campaign won The One Show Award, Marketing Awards GOLD for both Public Service Integrated Campaign and Public Service Online, a Clio shortlist, and a Webby honor for digital advocacy.
CHAMPION OF JUSTICE
Last Prisoner Project was awarded the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Champion of Justice Rights Restoration Award at the 2023 NACDL Redemption Gala in Washington, DC.
Last Prisoner Project was recently honored at CannaPortugal 2025 for its work advocating for justice for individuals incarcerated due to cannabis prohibition.
Last Prisoner Project was honored by the City of West Hollywood with a 2nd Chance Month Proclamation for our efforts to clear records in California and urge governors to grant cannabis clemency.
2x EMJAYS WINNERS
4x CLIO WINNERS
4x PLATINUM FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
MAKE A DONATION
Your support can directly transform lives. At Last Prisoner Project, we believe that no one should be behind bars for an offense that is no longer illegal—and we’re not just fighting for freedom, we’re fighting for full justice. With your donation, you’ll help us free cannabis prisoners, advocate for laws that prevent future incarceration, and provide immediate financial support to those reentering society. Every dollar fuels legal victories, policy change, and second chances. Join us in repairing the harms of the drug war—because justice can’t wait.
