After Serving 16 Years In Prison for Cannabis, Tom Ranes Needs Your Support Recovering from Medical Neglect

Mitzi Wall • July 5, 2023

WELCOME HOME TOM


Tom Ranes moved to Anchorage, Alaska from Tensaw, Alabama in 1996 to work in the oilfields. His first job in Alaska was as a welder’s helper. After only six months Tom was promoted to a rig worker at 20 years old. This was unheard of at the time. Clearly Tom was an incredibly talented man who knew how to work with his hands. He was already an excellent mechanic. It was no surprise that within a year Tom bought his own truck with mobile welding capability. In no time, Tom had more work than he could handle alone and was soon hiring employees and renting his own shop space. Tom secured a three-million-dollar loan from The First National Bank of Alaska and the Small Business Administration and Ranes & Shine Welding and Automotive was born! It was comprised of welding, sheet metal, pile driving and oil field services. The local newspaper took notice and touted: “Ranes & Shine Welding Maintains a Climate of Versatility, Innovation and Excellence” and in its business pages stated, “This is the new business in town making its mark in the oil industry.”


It was during this time Tom met a gentleman who would change the course of his life forever. This man hired him to build unique compartment in gas tanks – hidden. Tom being young and from a small country town in Alabama, he was naïve to the reason behind the tanks. But in time he learned what they would be used for. The money was good and much needed for his true goal of building a

successful business. He was pulled into this organization by men who knew how to control others with money, manipulation, fear and violence. Tom soon felt stuck and unable to get out so he compartmentalized what he could and proceeded in life trying to make a success out of his business.


Tom was raising a family which was the most important part of his life. He had two beautiful children; a daughter, Hannah and a son, Emory. Life was good, business was booming and extremely lucrative. Tom had multiple interests and became passionately involved in auto racing. He was the proud owner of a 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra that set track records in Hawaii and at the Alaska Raceway Park as the fastest street-legal car in the quarter mile. It seemed only natural that Ranes & Shine would delve into services for non-fleet vehicles such as installation of roll cages and motors, and anything else that could optimize performance and safety on the race track.


Behind the scenes and unbeknownst to Tom, the federal government had been surveilling the drug ring and it’s two leaders in Alaska for the previous seven years. On April 22, 2006 Tom was indicted along with eighteen co-conspirators and arrested. One of the leaders committed suicide on the day of the raid and the remaining leader was killed. The government then labeled Tom as the “leader, drug kingpin.” While Tom never had a leadership role, this designation of drug kingpin created problems for Tom and his defense. The charges filed were Conspiracy to Import a Controlled Substance (cannabis); International Money Laundering; and Money Laundering.


Tom could not cooperate with the federal government. It was not an option out of fear of retribution from a drug organization that was far reaching. Two leaders now dead, Tom knew he should pay for his part in the drug ring but the feds refused to offer him a deal that matched his involvement. They threatened him with a life sentence, while the co-conspirators were taking and getting 5- and 10- year sentences. Tom was fighting for his life and wanted to go to trial so he could prove the allegations against him were false. In typical fashion, the case dragged slowly and multiple attempts to find legal representation to fight for him in court were futile. Tom was worn down and knew that the odds were 98% against him prevailing at trial against the federal government. They were asking for life in prison so to cut his losses, he pled guilty and accepted a plea deal of 30 years in prison. Tom knew there were only two outcomes; go to prison or be killed. He was in too deep, knew too much and all of the things he cherished in life were in jeopardy. Looking back over this horrific time in his life Tom has acknowledged that his arrest ultimately saved his life. Tom was on his way to serving the next thirty years of his life in a federal correctional institute but he and his family never gave up fighting for his freedom.


Shortly after Tom’s incarceration in the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), he fell from a top bunk in his cell injuring his coccyx and rectal soft tissue causing a thrombosed hemorrhoid. A BOP healthcare worker lanced the hemorrhoid five consecutive days, leading to an infection which caused Tom to lose a significant portion of his large intestine and areas of his abdominal wall. Over the next 16 years, Tom

suffered chronic pain and had to undergo over twenty surgeries. He has had three sections of his large intestine removed due to blockages and has had medical mesh implanted due to an incisional hernia. While mesh is normally absorbed by the body, Tom’s mesh failed repeatedly. Tom had to wear a colostomy bag for two long years. In conjunction with this issue Tom had a severe large herniated disk with free floating fragments pushing on his spine. This was only discovered after he was treated for yet another mesh repair when Tom explained the severe back pain and an MRI of his spine was ordered. With these findings, surgery was recommended for Tom in 2019. Unfortunately, the BOP did not seem interested in helping Tom as he never underwent the surgery. At times Tom was confined to a wheelchair due to his chronic back issues which the BOP refused to either acknowledge or treat. The repeated infections, continued mesh failures, fixing his colon and frequent surgeries have ravaged Tom’s muscle strength and immune system. Tom will require multiple surgeries and procedures to permanently repair the site of the incisional hernias, surgical scars, neglected herniated disc that he received from previous medical errors and substandard care.


In addition to the medical conditions for which Tom was suffering, he received almost nonexistent dental care. He went in with all his teeth but was only seen by dental students. As a result, 70% of Tom’s teeth were extracted. You see the BOP doesn’t believe in preventive care; cavities are not filled, they are pulled.


Life goes on in prison, no excuses. Despite Tom’s severe medical issues, he became an integral part of the work teams. Clearly, Tom was skilled with his hands and had much to offer the BOP in terms of employment and instruction. Tom was assigned many jobs over the years within the BOP. He completed over forty rehabilitative and educational programs as well as holding the position of an instructor for several adult continuing education classes. Jobs included: lead welder building the military M-RAP and armored hummers that were being used in the Iraq war. He was teaching other inmates welding and fabrication in preparation for their post-prison employment. Tom received several well- deserved commendations from his employers shown as follows:


- Working for the Facilities Department at FCI LaTuna, his supervisor Mr. Le wrote the following:

“Ranes was always first to work and always last to leave and he has an exceptional work ethic. He completed his work with a journeyman-level product and a can-do attitude.” He also noted, “with Mr. Ranes’ help I was able to complete many projects that would have required a lot more time to complete. Mr. Ranes was also an outstanding role model to the other inmates. Mr. Ranes stayed clear of disciplinary issues that would affect the other inmates.”


- Another supervisor at FMC Ft. Worth wrote of Tom:


“I can truly say in 17 years of working in this trade I have seen few who can accomplish his quality of work. We are often limited in supplies, tools, and equipment. Tom Ranes improvises and completes any task assigned. He is also known for his initiative. He can often spot problems and finds solutions without direction. Initiative is not a common quality within this institution.”


In conjunction with his work life, Tom also participated in multiple arts and crafts courses that kept him close with his son and daughter. He would create art, ceramics and leather goods to send to his children.


It is no surprise that Tom took his artistic pursuits as seriously as everything else he did. He maximized his phone calls with Hannah and Emory to keep their relationship strong. Hannah was just six years old when Tom left for prison and Emory was just a toddler. Against all odds and because of his focus and determination, Tom’s bond with his children only grew while he was incarcerated. Sadly, Tom received the devastating news that his beloved, beautiful daughter, Hannah unexpectedly passed away on May 16, 2022 at the age of 22 years old. One cannot fathom the utter despair a parent must feel when suffering this kind of loss. Compound that with being in prison alone when your reason for living has been suddenly, drastically – changed. It was during this time of intense mourning that Tom, recognizing he qualified for The Cares Act, filed for a compassionate release. He knew he must get home to see his son, Emory. By this time Emory, a gifted student, who finished high school in two years was currently attending The University of Florida. He is studying pre-medicine with plans to specialize in orthopedics. To say Tom is proud, is an understatement.


A Motion for Compassionate Release was filed in July 2022. This motion sought a reduction in sentence which effectively would allow Tom to serve the balance of his sentence at home subject to 2 years home confinement and after that 6 years’ probation. This court granted this motion and Tom was released from prison on December 15, 2022.


Tom considers himself fortunate to have a supportive family located in Alabama where he will be subject to home confinement for the remainder of his sentence. Tom is currently living and working with his brother at his landscaping business which specializes in building retaining walls, docks and boathouses and installing paver driveways. Tom plans to become a partner in the business and add welding to the list of services offered and hopes to buy equipment such as pile drivers to work more efficiently. His brother is able to work around Tom’s multiple physician appointments that are required to get his health back on track. His sisters have also helped Tom with his transition home by tutoring him to become computer proficient. Sadly, Tom and his family are also dealing with aging parents. His father lives in a VA facility and is legally blind. His mother needs around the clock care.


Tom is starting his life over with nothing financially. His most pressing priority is getting proper medical care. The substandard care Tom received while serving his sentence in addition to the pain limitations under which he is currently living is simply put – unconscionable. The first thing Tom acquired upon his release was a medical plan. Unfortunately, it came with a $7,200 deductible. In addition, the BOP which requires home monitoring, charges him $112.00 per month for the ankle monitor they require him to wear. He hopes that some relief could be provided by the community that is building stock portfolios from the very commodity for which his is still serving a thirty-year sentence.


Tom Ranes, is and always had been, an optimist. In the midst of the needless suffering he has endured, inflicted upon him by the substandard care provided by the BOP, he has steadfastly maintained his belief that most people are good, and that his unfortunate collision with the federal government is part of the hand that life has dealt him. It is obvious from Tom’s story that he not only maintained his positive outlook, but that he used the time that was taken away from him, to develop himself into a better person with even more talents and skills, despite the limitations of incarceration. At the same time, he shared his hard-won knowledge and enduring positivity to help others better their lives. There are no pity parties here. Tom looks forward to reestablishing his ties to both his community and his family, particularly his son, Emory. His first order of business is attending to his health. Tom has proven that his spirt can’t be broken. He did not let the years of his incarceration prevent him from being a light in this world. Being back in the community and becoming as healthy as possible, Tom’s light will continue to shine for so many more people that he can now reach.


PLEASE SEE THE BELOW GO FUND ME FOR TOM. YOUR HELP IS APPRECIATED:

https://gofund.me/3a67f5ce


This article was written by one of Tom's advocates, Mitzi Wall (mitzifwall@gmail.com)


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    Tom and Son Emory


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    Tom's Daughter Hannah

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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.

Pennsylvania’s HB1200 to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis Includes Last Prisoner Project Language for Retroactive Relief

By Lulanne Alexander • May 6, 2025
Bill advances long-overdue justice and support for communities most impacted by the War on Drugs Philadelphia, PA — The Last Prisoner Project praised the Pennsylvania House for passing House Bill 1200 , a comprehensive cannabis legalization and regulation bill that centers justice, retroactive relief, and public health. Sponsored by Chair Dan Frankel, Representatives Rick Krajewski and, HB1200 charts a bold path forward for Pennsylvania to not only end cannabis prohibition but also repair the damage it has caused — especially to Black and Brown communities. "Pennsylvania is long overdue for cannabis reform, and while HB1200 is not perfect, it seeks to undo the deep harms of prohibition,” said Adrian Rocha, Director of Policy at the Last Prisoner Project . “This bill recognizes that legalization without justice is not enough. Through automatic expungement and retroactive relief, HB1200 sets a new standard for what responsible, people-first cannabis policy should look like. As the General Assembly continues to debate other important aspects of this bill, the Last Prisoner Project urges Pennsylvania lawmakers not lose lose sight of the broad consensus that legalization without retroactive relief is not best interest of justice or the Commonwealth. ” Despite shifting public opinion and growing national momentum, Pennsylvania continues to criminalize people for marijuana use. This criminalization has devastated families and communities, created an unregulated market, and deprived the state of much-needed tax revenue. HB1200 directly addresses these issues by including provisions for automatic expungement of past nonviolent cannabis offenses, sentence modification for those serving time for cannabis, investments in communities most impacted by the War on Drugs, and strong public health protections. HB 1200 will now move to through the Senate voting process.

Lawmakers Kickoff Cannabis Unity Week as Advocates Return to Capitol Hill to Call for Federal Cannabis Reform

By Stephen Post • April 29, 2025
The Cannabis Unity Coalition Hosts Multi-Day Activism Event that Includes a Press Conference, Lobby Day, and White House Rally to Free Those Still Incarcerated Download Photos + Videos from the Week’s Events Tuesday, April 29th (Washington D.C.) - As Americans across the country celebrated the 4/20 cannabis holiday last week, tens of thousands of people sat in prisons incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses, licensed cannabis businesses struggled, and the federal government's cannabis reclassification process remained stalled. But this week, lawmakers and advocates are gathering on Capitol Hill to harness their movements’ momentum and enact change. Mobilizing the 70% of the public that supports legalization into political pressure, the Cannabis Unity Coalition — the largest bipartisan alliance of advocacy, industry, and grassroots organizations — is leading Cannabis Unity Week of Action this week, taking place April 29–May 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The multi-day event brings together advocates, impacted individuals, and industry leaders to pressure Congress and the Trump administration to fully legalize cannabis and deliver retroactive relief to those harmed by outdated prohibition-era policies. Advocates started the week today with a congressional press conference at the House Press Triangle, where they were joined by Congressional Cannabis Caucus members Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-Nevada), alongside other representatives who spoke about current legislative efforts. The press conference was followed by a welcome ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. “It’s a pleasure to join the Cannabis Unity Coalition on Capitol Hill to call for federal cannabis reform,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) . “As Co-Chair of the Cannabis Caucus, I am dedicated to working with advocates to modernize the government’s outdated approach to cannabis and ensure that common-sense legislation is advanced in Congress.” “It’s beyond time to legalize cannabis nationwide and expunge records for those incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses,” said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05) , newly elected co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. "I’m incredibly grateful for the partnership of the members of the Cannabis Unity Coalition and look forward to working together to get this done." As part of their 4/20 clemency campaign with LPP , members of Ben & Jerry’s advocacy team joined to help build awareness and mobilize grassroots efforts to demand clemency from governors across the country. Wednesday will be dedicated to our Lobby Day where attendees will meet with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to advocate for cannabis reform, particularly the newly reintroduced STATES 2.0 Act and PREPARE Act . Coalition partners have planned meetings with elected officials from both parties in the House and Senate including Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) , Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) , Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Sen. Andy Kim (D-New Jersey), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), Rep. Tom McClintock (R-California), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) , and other offices to call for the full legalization of cannabis, the removal of criminal penalties, and retroactive relief. Events will conclude Thursday evening with a Cannabis Freedom Rally outside the White House from 4-9 p.m. to honor those still incarcerated for cannabis and demand their freedom via presidential clemency. The rally will feature previously incarcerated activists like Donte West , Kyle Page , and Deshaun Durham , who was granted cannabis clemency by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly at the end of last year. These activists will lend their voices to the actions and share their powerful stories. The Cannabis Unity Coalition is made up of a broad array of advocate groups span across political boundaries and includes Last Prisoner Project (LPP), members of the Marijuana Justice Coalition (MJC) like Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Veterans Cannabis Coalition, and Parabola Center; members of the Cannabis Freedom Alliance (CFA) like the Reason Foundation and Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP); Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), which is a member of both coalitions; and industry groups like, 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); other organizaitons include Freedom Grow, Marijuana Justice, Doctors for Drug Policy Reform, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), Supernova Women, Minorities for Medical Marijuana, DCMJ, Just Leadership USA (JLUSA), National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Coalition for Drug Legalization and the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), Mission Green, Latinas in Cannabis, the Equity Trade Network, Cannademix, and Free My Weed Man. Those who can’t join us in D.C. can still participate virtually by contacting your federal representatives and asking them to #DecriminalizeNow, urging your governor to grant clemency to those in your state still incarcerated for cannabis, and following along through our livestream. Learn more and take action at LPP.la/CannabisUnityWeek . 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. Follow Last Prisoner Project: Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Facebook Press contact: Stephen Post LPP Communications Manager stephen@lastprisonerproejct.org