PRISONERS OF PROHIBITION
The criminalization of cannabis has had a devastating impact on our communities. Those that have experienced incarceration for cannabis are not criminals, they are fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and community members. Despite increasing legalization efforts, Americans continue to suffer the devastating consequences of the War on Drugs.
You can read some of the stories of cannabis criminalization directly from the people being impacted below.
Edwin Rubis
Hi! My name is Edwin Rubis. I'm 23 years into a 40-year sentence for a non-violent marijuana crime (crazy huh). You might think I would be jaded or depressed. But thankfully I've figured out how to be the best I can be under these circumstances. So far, I've accomplished my Master's degree in Christian Counseling, and am now working on my Doctorate (yes from behind prison walls ... not crazy LOL).
I consider myself motivated, honest, positive, and always willing to go the extra mile to help others. I believe my release from prison is coming up soon, and I'm interested in establishing friendships with open-minded, empathetic, positive people - who see the glass as half full.
Send me a letter and allow me to be a positive influence in your life. Always with much love and prayers. Hope to hear from you soon. #freedwinrubis
Maria Kinsey
I'm Juanita Maria Kinsey, I have 2 kids age 25 and 2 1/2. I am married. My husband and I were charged with Trafficking Cannabis and Conspiracy to Traffic Cannabis in August 2017. We became pregnant while out on bond with the 2 1/2 yr old. We are both incarcerated. Thank you for all the support!!!!
To all the writers in this program THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for writing to me and all the other inmates too! It has truly made me see that people do care and we do matter to humanity! I can't wait to be able to show the love and understanding to others in my position when I get out!!! Can't wait to hear from you!! Thank you
Mohamed Taher
To all you penpals out there, thank you for your support. My name is Moe Taher, I'm 42 years old and I was 34 when I was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years for pot. Yeah I know that’s sad, but the bright side is that our nation is overcoming the pot hate and starting to see the benefits of pot. Plus with all the HEROES from the LAST PRISONER PROJECT who are trying to get us home, it puts more ease on our current situation.
Rudi Gammo
2018 marked a historic year for cannabis legalization in Michigan as it became the 10th state, and the first state in the midwest, to legalize the possession and sale of cannabis for adult-use. 2018 also marked a historic injustice when husband and father of three Rudi Gammo was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for his operation of a city-sanctioned medical cannabis dispensary in Detroit.
While dispensaries have been operating legally in the state for almost two years, Rudi still languishes in prison for his victimless cannabis offense. Despite the fact that Michigan allows adults to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 12 plants at home, Rudi was accused of running a "criminal enterprise" for allowing people to grow cannabis out of homes he owned in Oakland County for his dispensary.
Rudi's clemency petition was submitted in 2020. Because Governor Whitmer has failed to act, Rudi’s wife and three children still struggle today, particularly during the pandemic. In 2020, Rudi's family was hit particularly hard when Rudi contracted COVID-19, and soon after, his young son Santino was diagnosed with Leukemia.
You can learn more about Rudi's story here.
Parker Coleman
Parker Coleman is serving a de facto life sentence of 60 years for getting caught up in a marijuana conspiracy charge despite no evidence of direct involvement or violence of any kind. Unless he receives clemency, he will be in his 80s when he is released.
In an interview with
Civilized Life Parker said "It's ridiculous that marijuana, which is glorified in the media, that you can have pounds of on stage at the High Times Awards, and has been legalized in several states, and that's proven to help people medically, gets no nation-wide recognition first for pardons."
Since being transferred to a prison in Texas, his family, including his loving parents, ailing grandparents, and young niece have not been able to see him in five years.
You can read more about Parker's story here.
Richardo Ashmeade
Richardo Ashmeade (formerly known as "Rasheed Robinson") is currently serving a 22-year sentence for a victimless cannabis offense. Despite a reclassification of a California conviction from a felony to a misdemeanor, the federal courts have refused to re-sentence him accordingly. He hopes to be released to his family soon.
Alvi Ghaznavi
Alvi Ghaznavi is serving a sentence of at least 3 (and up to 10) years for operating a “controlled dangerous substance” (cannabis) facility in New Jersey. The 27-year-old Alvi, who suffers from a myriad of health issues (including severe asthma and Chrohn's disease), is currently eligible for release in 2022— though he of course hopes to be released sooner.
Rafael Hernandez-Carrillo
At the age of 31, Rafael Hernandez was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for his involvement in a cannabis distribution operation.
On Jan. 6, 2017, Rafael's commutation petition for commutation was denied by the Obama Administration.
Rafael, now 40, continues to fight for an executive clemency grant.
Hector McGurk
Hector Ruben McGurk is a nonviolent marijuana offender who is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Ruben will die in federal prison for a nonviolent marijuana offense if he does not receive a commutation. When Hector was tried for this offense the first jury was not able to find him guilty and the trial ended with a hung jury. Federal prosecutors tried him a second time and he was convicted of this marijuana offense and was given a life sentence. He is currently 62 years old and has been incarcerated for 15 years.
