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9 Gift Ideas that Support Reuniting Families This Holiday Season

Stephen Post • November 25, 2024

This holiday season, consider giving gifts with purpose. By choosing gifts that align with the mission of the Last Prisoner Project, you can make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by outdated cannabis laws. Here's a guide to thoughtful presents that not only spread holiday cheer, but also contribute to the Last Prisoner Project's mission of achieving reparative justice in the cannabis community.


“Free All Cannabis Prisoners” Last Prisoner Project Hoodie 

Buy cannabis reform hoodies, t-shirts, hats and other merchandise that let you advocate for social justice and cannabis reform everywhere you go on out LPP merch store. These items go directly to LPP’s funds to support our constituents and run our programs.


FashionKush "Cannabis Is Not A Crime" Line

Make a statement for social justice & cannabis reform with our Cannabis is Not a Crime collection... because no one should be in jail for weed. $1 from each purchase of our Cannabis is Not a Crime collection will be donated to our friends at the last prisoner project in support of their efforts to redress the harms caused by cannabis prohibition through Last Prisoner Project's Constituent Support Fund.


“How a Plant Became Illegal” T-Shirt

As millions walk into their local dispensaries every day to buy cannabis, there are tens of thousands incarcerated for doing the very same thing. ⁣Last Prisoner Project’s collaboration with For Everyone Collective aims to raise awareness for those impacted by cannabis prohibition and shed light on this injustice. ⁣⁣⁣The shirts were designed and printed by formerly incarcerated people and all profits from this collection will go towards LPP’s Constituent Support Fund to aid those currently incarcerated for cannabis offenses. ⁣


Purchase Cannabis from Justice Partners

Our Roll It Up For Justice Program is a nationwide campaign encouraging cannabis businesses to give customers the opportunity to donate to Last Prisoner Project at check out.  Small change can make a big impact, and every cent raised through the program gets us closer to the day when every last cannabis prisoner is set free. No dispensary around you currently participating? Encourage your budtender to check it out. And as always, make sure to buy weed from the people that have been traditionally criminalized the most including Black, Latine, LGBTQ+, and women legacy operators.


Cheech and Chong Judges Water

The Judge's Water™ is a treasure for any true vodka lover, and the bottle is every stoner's
dream… But for us, this project is more than just a cool concept. With over half a century advocating for the green, and a couple of mugshots to show for it, Cheech and Chong have seen firsthand the sting of outdated drug laws. Millions of Americans are locked up in states where cannabis is legal for non-violent drug offenses. All because of the backwards drug laws we've had in this country for decades. That just doesn’t sit right with us, man. It's a harsh reality we want to help change. That’s why a portion of all proceeds from The Judge’s Water™ are going to support The Last Prisoner Project’s mission to ensure that every last cannabis prisoner is released, & to help reintegrate them back into society. 


GRAV Classic Spoon

As part of our ongoing partnership with Last Prisoner Project, we’ve teamed up to release a limited edition spoon. This glossy black hand pipe features the same high-capacity bowl and inverted ash-catching mouthpiece as our Classic Spoon. It’s also etched with both the GRAV and LPP emblems. Pass it around and get the conversation started. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Last Prisoner Project.


CHNGE.com Cannabis Equity Clothing

Nobody Should be in Prison for Weed! CHNGE.com has created this line of cannabis equity clothing in support of The Last Prisoner Project and Marijuana Matters, two non-profits focused on cannabis criminal justice reform and economic opportunity in regulated cannabis markets for those disadvantaged by marijuana’s criminalization. Shop their tees, crop tops, and longsleeves here.


Host a Holiday Letter Drive

Looking for a no-cost option to encourage your friends and family members to help support the fight for cannabis justice? Host a holiday letter-writing drive! No matter how big or small, even a single message of hope can make the day of someone behind bars during the holidays. Send a letter or host a drive today.


Make a Donation to Last Prisoner Project

If your stoner friends already have every cool accessory on the market, consider making a direct donation in their name to the Last Prisoner Project, to support our work to free people incarcerated for cannabis offenses.

By Stephen Post March 25, 2025
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Governor Youngkin has once again vetoed a critical cannabis justice bill. Despite overwhelming support from Virginia’s General Assembly, the governor has chosen to deny relief to thousands of individuals who remain incarcerated or under state supervision for cannabis-related offenses—convictions tied to laws that have since changed. Last year, Youngkin vetoed a similar bill designed by Last Prisoner Project (LPP), denying potential freedom to more than 1,844 people. This year, the legislature advanced two key bills aimed at providing relief. HB 2555 would have created a sentence modification process for individuals still impacted by outdated cannabis laws. Instead of signing this measure into law, Youngkin has once again chosen to uphold the injustices of the past. Luckily, the other bill, SB 1466, which will streamline state-initiated expungements for cannabis offenses, sealing ancillary records such as probation violations and failures to appear related to past cannabis charges, was approved by Gov. Youngkin, but will be sent back to the legislature with amendments. The Commonwealth should be concerned that the Governor admits cannabis is both the cause of and contribution to thousands of individual's criminal sentences but it is unwilling to adopt a solution to prioritize relief while preserving a commitment to public safety by vesting oversight throughout the process. The governor's office ultimately approved record relief for certain cannabis convictions, but for those behind bars, this administration has once again failed to deliver lasting change. LPP has been at the forefront of the fight for justice in Virginia. Our Director of Policy, Adrian Rocha, provided testimony in support of these bills, underscoring the urgent need to right the wrongs of cannabis prohibition. Additionally, LPP's Director of Advocacy, Stephanie Shepard, who herself served time for a cannabis offense, penned a powerful op-ed in Virginia emphasizing the necessity of these reforms and the human toll of continued incarceration. Virginia ended cannabis prohibition in 2021, yet many remain incarcerated for offenses that are no longer crimes. The Virginia Department of Corrections reports an average annual cost of $33,994 per incarcerated individual, while Virginia has generated over $8 million in tax revenue from medical marijuana as of 2023. HB 2555 was a crucial step toward justice—one the Governor has now denied. The governor’s decision ignores the will of the people and the reality that cannabis reform is not only necessary but overwhelmingly popular. Polling shows that 84% of registered voters support releasing individuals incarcerated for offenses that are no longer illegal. With each veto, Youngkin chooses to leave families separated and lives needlessly disrupted, all while Virginia’s legal cannabis industry continues to grow and generate revenue. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the advocates and organizations who have fought tirelessly for justice, including Marijuana Justice Virginia, Nolef Turns, the Virginia NAACP, NORML, the Virginia Student Power Network, The New Majority Virginia, and Rise for Youth. While this veto is a setback, it is not the end. The fight for cannabis justice continues, and LPP remains committed to ensuring that no one is left behind. We will not stop until every cannabis prisoner is free.
By Stephen Post March 20, 2025
As we reflect on our first five years of impact at the Last Prisoner Project, we are thrilled to share an exciting new development: Norman L. Reimer has joined our Board of Directors! Norm is a transformational leader in the fight for justice and he will play a key role in shaping our vision for reuniting families, rebuilding lives, and reimagining drug policy. Norm Reimer has devoted his career to the defense of the accused and reform of the justice system. As a criminal defense attorney, he has represented accused individuals at the trial and appellate level and in state and federal courts for four decades. As a reformer, he leads efforts to reform misguided policies and practices that fuel mass incarceration, overcriminalization, and disparate impact. Norman’s noteworthy achievements include co-founding the John Adams Project in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union to provide attorneys trained in capital defense to represent the accused in the military commission proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, and leading a collaboration among several groups during the Obama administration to establish Clemency Project 2014, a cadre of volunteer lawyers, which secured the commutation of long federal prison sentences for 894 individuals, including more than 300 who were serving life sentences. Norm is currently Of Counsel at Vladeck, Raskin & Clark, P.C. , where he continues his criminal defense work. His previous positions include serving as Executive Director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, CEO of Fair Trials, and President of the New York County Lawyers’ Association. He also served as an Adjunct Law Professor at New York Law School, where he taught trial practice. Norman earned his B.A. and J.D. from New York University.
By Stephen Post March 11, 2025
The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) has submitted a formal comment to the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC), advocating for critical changes to federal drug sentencing guidelines and supervised release policies. LPP’s recommendations aim to reduce overly punitive sentencing practices, promote rehabilitation, and improve public safety. Reforming Supervised Release LPP supports proposed amendments granting courts greater discretion in imposing and modifying supervised release. Overly rigid supervision can create unnecessary barriers to successful reintegration, increasing the likelihood of recidivism. Key recommendations include: Individualized assessments : Courts should tailor supervised release terms to the specific needs of each individual. Elimination of unnecessary supervision : LPP urges the removal of mandatory supervised release requirements when not explicitly required by statute. Early termination of supervision : Encouraging courts to assess whether continued supervision is necessary after one year, reducing unnecessary burdens on individuals and the justice system. Reducing Drug Sentences LPP also calls for major reforms to the Drug Quantity Table, advocating for reductions in base offense levels across all substances, with additional reductions for cannabis and psychedelics due to their increasing medical recognition and evolving legal status. Lowering the highest base offense level to 30 (or lower) : Research consistently shows long prison sentences do not improve public safety and can actually increase recidivism. Proportional reductions across all drug types : Harsh sentencing has not been an effective deterrent, and a more balanced approach is needed. Additional reductions for cannabis and psychedelics : Given their lower risk profiles and medical potential, sentences for these substances should be significantly reduced. Addressing Low-Level Drug Offenses LPP supports a six-level sentence reduction for individuals convicted of low-level trafficking roles. Many involved in minor drug-related offenses are individuals with limited economic opportunities, and excessive sentences do little to address the root causes of their involvement. Retroactive Application of Sentencing Reforms Currently, approximately 63,000 people are serving federal sentences for drug-related offenses, many under outdated guidelines. LPP urges the Commission to apply any sentencing reductions retroactively, allowing individuals already incarcerated to benefit from these long-overdue reforms. LPP commends the USSC for considering these reforms and urges them to take bold action. By implementing these changes, the Commission can help reduce mass incarceration, promote fairness, and allocate resources toward more effective public safety strategies.
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