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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey Takes Biden's Lead to Turn Pardons to Progress

Stephen Post • Mar 19, 2024

We applaud Governor Healey for her leadership in advancing cannabis criminal justice by pardoning people with cannabis possession convictions. No one in the state should still suffer from the collateral consequences of a record as Massachusetts has sold over $7 billion dollars worth of cannabis.


These are the types of actions Last Prisoner Project has been calling on governors to take since we launched our Pardons to Progress campaign following President Biden's initial pardon proclamation. 


Having a leader like. Gov. Healey is so important to implementing clemency programs nationwide, as she provides an example of what it looks like to champion these reforms. We hope to build off her momentum to encourage others to join our call to expand the scope of relief past just possession, as no one should continue to be criminalized for an activity from which others can freely profit.


Last Prisoner Project has advocated for further clemency action since President Biden's initial proclamation. While Gov. Healey's predicts her marijuana pardons will be the largest in the nation, she is not the first. Since President Biden's October 2022 announcement, governors across the U.S. have started to pardon more cannabis records. In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown pardoned over 45,000 convictions before leaving office, Gov. Tony Evers in Wisconsin has pardoned 1,100 cannabis records, and Pennsylvania has pardoned over 600 records with its programs. 

These pardon efforts and efforts to expunge cannabis records via legislation have been tracked in our recent State of Cannabis Justice Report. As of 2023, 24 states have enacted adult-use cannabis legalization, 24 have enacted cannabis-specific record clearance laws, and 10 have enacted cannabis-specific resentencing laws. Importantly, these criminal justice policies have become commonplace in recent legislation. Massachusetts received a grade of "C". This pardon program will definitely improve that grade and is a step towards full cannabis justice. 


We must continue to push for President Biden and state governors to use their full clemency powers to release and clear the records of everyone harmed by cannabis prohibition. 

Melissa Charran Spent Mother's Day Separated From Her Son Because of a Cannabis Conviction

By Stephen Post • 14 May, 2024
As millions celebrated Mother’s Day, LPP constituent and mother Melissa Charran spent the day behind bars. Like countless other families impacted by the War on Drugs, Melissa’s son is growing up without both of his parents. In a letter to LPP, Melissa shares her story: “It is truly unbelievable to be sitting here, in federal prison, for something many folks on the outside are building businesses out of. That was, and still is, a dream of mine—to own and operate my own brand within the c🍃nnabis industry. “I was charged in Denver, Colorado, where I lived at the time with my other half, Eric. He was also arrested and sentenced to 13 years. Being 5 months pregnant when I was arrested caused me a ton of stress and also resulted in an unhealthy amount of weight loss—something I’ve struggled with for a long time even prior to my arrest, which was the ultimate reason behind obtaining a medical 🍃 card in Colorado. “My pretrial supervision took place in Minnesota where I submitted to random urine tests, home inspections, therapy requirements and had to seek employment. I was successful, all while carrying my baby to full term, gave birth (without his father by my side) and raising him with the help of my family. “Although I served 2 years and 5 months pretrial, it was not satisfactory for the federal government … My sentencing judge stated that he 'needed to make an example out of me.' He gave me 24 months plus 1 year probation. “It kills me everyday to know that my 2-year-old son has to grow up without his parents, and I have felt helpless for a long time. I am beyond thankful to have heard from LPP, and I look forward to what feels like a hopeful future now.” As part of our advocacy program, LPP has supported Melissa with commissary funding, letters of support, and will recieve a reenty grant upon her release.

Christian Reichert and His Mother Tina Share the Power a Mom Can Have This Mother's Day

By Stephen Post • 10 May, 2024
After Christian Reichert was sentenced to 23 years in prison for cannabis, his mother Tina would stop at nothing to bring him home. This Mother’s Day, please consider donating to support all mothers impacted by cannabis prohibition—both at home and behind bars. His mother Tina shared this statement:⁣ ⁣ ”I just want to thank everyone that has helped Christian, I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and generosity. We are truly grateful and could not have gotten prepared for him without the help of so many and the help we received from organizations like The Last Prisoner Project. We appreciate them all greatly. ⁣ ⁣ We are so excited [to have Christian home]. He’s having a lot of anxiety in this transition after almost 8 years of being incarcerated but is looking forward to [being] home. Please keep him and my family in your prayers during this celebration of freedom.” ⁣ Christian will now be a part of the Last Prisoner Project reentry program, where we will help provide resources to aid in his successful transition back into society. ⁣

Last Prisoner Project Supports the Reintroduction of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA)

By Stephen Post • 02 May, 2024
This week, Senators Booker, Schumer, and Wyden reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), comprehensive legislation that would legalize cannabis federally, expunge cannabis records, and release cannabis prisoners. Here are just a few highlights to help breakdown this bill: CAOA, if passed, could finally decriminalize cannabis on the federal level. Federal courts would have 1 year to expunge or seal arrests, convictions, and juvenile delinquency adjudications for most non-violent federal cannabis offenses. They'd also be required to educate recipients on the effects of their expungement(s). Some federal cannabis tax revenue would be directed to organizations that help people secure state-level cannabis expungements. The Bureau of Prisons would have 60 DAYS TO RELEASE (and vacate the convictions of) individuals serving tiem for most federal cannabis-only offenses. Individuals whose convictions don't fall under those guidelines, or whose sentences were enhanced because of prior cannabis convictions, would be able to petition the court for a reduced sentence. The feds wouldn't be able to deny people federal public assistance because of cannabis use, possession, or convictions. They also would not be able to consider cannabis a controlled substance for the purposes of immigration proceedings. Read more about the CAOA here and read recent coverage in Filter Mag and Marijuana Moment of our 420 Unity Day where we joined with advocates to talk to Sen. Schumer and other lawmakers about the CAOA and other efforts to enact cannabis justice
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