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Towards An Intersectional Lens on Cannabis Criminal Justice Reform

Mikelina Belaineh • November 2, 2022

LPP's Director of Impact is working to  facilitate a more inclusive cannabis justice conversation by exploring the ways key voices and perspectives are overlooked.

Our current cannabis justice movement suffers from a major pedagogical problem


“Pedagogy” (noun)


  1. the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept.

 


A pedagogical problem refers to a problem dealing with how we conceptualize, teach, and talk about something– in this instance, the issue of cannabis justice.


More specifically, cannabis justice research– which we rely on– suffers from an incomplete framework for analysis. All of us– community members, movement leaders, and decision-makers – should care about research because it directly impacts our ability to understand and solve our problems. Leading cannabis justice research and rhetoric, like most dominant justice research and rhetoric, fails to consider the implications of intersectionality. More specifically, the research we count on to guide our cannabis justice movement excludes the voices and experiences of Womxyn and Lgbtq+ communities (*not mutually exclusive*). 


This exclusion– or oversight– is a major mistake. Folks who are multiply marginalized by systems of cannabis criminalization have distinctive experiences and narratives resulting from their holding intersecting identities of race, gender, and sexuality. Meaning– when you are Black & womxyn, or brown & trans, or indigenous & queer– you experience systems of policing and punishment distinctively and differently. Failing to consider experiences that society deems “non-normative” contributes to a critical misrepresentation of what and how big our cannabis justice problem is.


Currently, cannabis justice ​​scopes the problem of “cannabis criminalization & justice” solely through the experience of cis-gender, heterosexual men– which is de facto deemed the “normative” justice experience. This necessarily means that we are only exploring and considering solutions informed by the experience of cis-gender, heterosexual men. The consequence of such an exclusionary framework of analysis in research and discourse starts with the erasure of a vast cross-section of directly impacted people– and ends with real harm. If we exclude voices and experiences that should be included when discussing harm, healing, and justice—we fail before we begin. Exclusionary frameworks cause harm because they lead us to spend time, money, and energy on solutions that are based on an inaccurate and incomplete understanding of the problem we seek to solve. This creates an environment for harm to be perpetuated and compounded via the unintended consequences of well-intentioned solutions– a theme we have seen last too long in U.S. justice reform efforts. Exclusionary frameworks stifle movement efforts by excluding people, experiences, and narratives—truths to be reckoned with and considered.


Why is excluding Womxyn a problem?*


According to an Essie Justice Report “Because She is Powerful '' at least one in four womxyn have an incarcerated loved one.


Womxyn are the fastest-growing correctional population in the U.S., the carceral capital of the world, making the issue of womxyn’s incarceration one of global significance. Over the past 35 years, total arrests have risen 25% for womxyn, while decreasing by 33% for men, and the increase among womxyn is largely driven by drug-related offenses. During these 35 years, drug-related arrests increased by nearly 216% for women, compared to 48% for men. Indeed, we are missing a critical piece of the puzzle when we fail to consider gender as a unit of analysis of the cannabis justice problem. When womxyn experience policing and punishment, the consequences are far-reaching in ways that we have yet to fully understand and appreciate. The majority of incarcerated womxyn are primary care providers to children and are often the primary wage earner in the household because of the lasting impacts of the massive removal and incarceration of black and brown men. “Women with incarcerated loved ones include formerly incarcerated women. Women with incarcerated loved ones include currently incarcerated women. Women with incarcerated loved ones love and support people of all genders behind bars. Women with incarcerated loved ones are cisgender, transgender, and gender non-conforming.”


Why is excluding Queer & Trans communities a problem?


Queer and Trans people are overrepresented in incarceration & arrest rates, and these disparities increase dramatically when looking at the incarceration of womxyn & juvenile girls. When we take a closer look at the womxyn most impacted by carceral systems of policing and punishment we see that queer and non-binary womxyn are disproportionately impacted, making sexuality & gender identity factors that must be considered when trying to understand and solve criminal justice problems. 


  • The research and data we have show that womxyn are driving the higher representation of LGBTQ+ people in prisons and jails– 33.3% of womxyn in prison and 26.4% in jails identify as queer*. These numbers are stark compared to incarceration rates for “gay and bisexual” men– 5.5% in prison and 3.3% in jail– and are startling considering that “lesbian & bisexual” womxyn are measured to comprise only 8% of the general population.
  • When we look at minors in juvenile facilities– 40% of detained girls identify as LGBTQ+, in contrast with 14% of boys. 
  • In trans populations, one in five (21%) trans women have experienced incarceration at some point in their lives, as have nearly half (47%) of all Black trans people.


It is also worth noting that the best available data we have for measuring aggregate arrest & incarceration outcomes for womxyn and LGBTQ+  individuals is a decade old and was collected via research methods that do not take the experiences of impacted populations into consideration—meaning that the rates of impact were likely deflated in these original data sets, and we can assume they have gotten worse over time.


An inaccurate framing of what cannabis justice is for and who it is about dramatically hinders our ability to achieve collective movement goals of equitable justice, healing, and transformation.

It leads us to make poor investments of time, money, and energy. It leads us to overlook key experts and insights. It leads us to unintentionally harm those we as a movement are seeking to empower and support– making collaboration and trust-building difficult. 


Critical examination of normative frameworks (heteronormative, cis-normative, white, patriarchal) and the truths they privilege or suppress allow us to expand our view and see transformative solutions more clearly. This is an invitation to join this effort, to ask questions forgotten, to look for the people forgotten so that we can take full steps forward– together. 


*I intentionally use “womxyn” instead of “women” as a way to be inclusive of non-binary and trans womxyn, which is necessary for the accuracy and completeness of the discussion.

By Stephen Post April 1, 2025
In recognition of Second Chance Month, The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that individuals impacted by the criminal legal system receive the support they need to successfully reenter society. At LPP, reentry is at the core of our mission—providing resources, advocacy, and direct financial assistance to those returning home after incarceration for cannabis-related offenses. We would like to honor the amazing advocates and lawmakers who tirelessly working to offer second chances to our constituents who have been experienced injustice due to the war on drugs. Through strategic policy efforts, LPP has contributed to the clearing or pardoning of over 200,000 cannabis-related records, including Governor Wes Moore’s historic clemency action in Maryland, which impacted more than 150,000 people. LPP is proud to support key pieces of upcoming legislation that could propel this movement forward like the Reentry Act of 2025, which would allow states to provide Medicaid coverage to incarcerated individuals 30 days before their release, ensuring they have access to critical healthcare services. Additionally, we endorse the reauthorization of the Second Chance Act, which has provided essential funding for reentry services nationwide since 2008. We are grateful for the efforts of groups like Just Leadership USA and the Council for State Governments for leading advocacy on these bills. LPP's Executive Director, Sarah Gersten said, “At Last Prisoner Project, we believe that no one should be denied a second chance—especially those who were unjustly criminalized for cannabis. True justice means not just release, but real opportunities to rebuild. We call on lawmakers, businesses, and communities to join us in ensuring that every person impacted by cannabis prohibition has the resources and support they need to thrive.” In 2024 alone, LPP provided over $340,000 in reentry grants, contributing to over $3.5 million in direct financial assistance distributed since 2019. These funds play a critical role in easing the transition for those leaving incarceration, helping them cover essential expenses as they rebuild their lives. LPP has also assisted over 400 constituents directly through legal and constituent service programs, helping to eliminate more than 300 years of excessive sentences. Behind these numbers are real people—like Richard Delisi, Michael Thompson, and Kyle Page—who have turned their experiences into platforms for advocacy and entrepreneurship. The Michael Thompson Clemency Project continues to push for justice for those still incarcerated. Entrepreneurs like Kyle Page, Mario Ramos, Donte West, and Alicia Deals are building businesses that create opportunities for others affected by cannabis criminalization. Leaders like Stephanie Shepard, LPP’s Director of Advocacy, use their platforms to fight for lasting policy change. This Second Chance Month, we celebrate the resilience of our constituents and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every person impacted by cannabis prohibition has the opportunity to rebuild and thrive. Join us in advocating for policies like the Reentry Act of 2025 and the Second Chance Act reauthorization to create real pathways to justice and opportunity. By joining forces and advocating for meaningful change, we can pave the way for a society where everyone benefits from the opportunities and benefits of legal cannabis without fear of discrimination or injustice. Together, we can create a brighter future for all. Donate here to help support second chances for our constituents.
By Adrian Rocha March 31, 2025
At the Last Prisoner Project (LPP), we believe that no one should remain behind bars or face the lifelong burden of a criminal record for cannabis-related offenses. That is why we have been working since 2021 to ensure that retroactive relief is provided for individuals in Hawai’i who have been criminalized by outdated cannabis prohibition laws. And this week, we got one step closer to justice. Last year, we helped write HB 1595 (now Act 62), which created a pilot project for state-initiated expungement of non-conviction marijuana possession records on Hawai‘i Island and identified over 2,200 records for relief in Hawai’i. Now, HB 132—which just passed the legislature last week—would help speed up their expungement if signed by the Governor. Unlike traditional expungement processes, which require individuals to apply and pay fees, this project shifts the burden to the state, ensuring that those eligible for relief receive it without unnecessary barriers. After just one month of implementation, the pilot project identified 2,268 records potentially eligible for expungement. As of December 13, 2024, the Hawai‘i Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC) had reviewed 640 of those cases, leading to 81 expungements, 112 cases pending expungement, and 33 denials, with 414 cases still under review. These numbers demonstrate both the necessity and the challenges of state-initiated expungement, particularly in cases where arrest records lack clear substance classification. While Act 62 was a major step forward, a technical issue in the Hawai‘i Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) has made implementation far more burdensome than anticipated. Currently, the system does not consistently specify whether a charge under section 712-1249, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS), was for marijuana or another Schedule V substance. This lack of detail forces HCJDC staff to manually search through arrest and court records, significantly slowing the process. House Bill 132 (HB 132) seeks to resolve this issue with a simple but impactful amendment, making it easier for the state to verify eligibility for expungement. If passed, HB 132 will eliminate the need for extensive manual searches and ensure that more people receive the relief they deserve without unnecessary delays. Expunging non-conviction cannabis-related arrest records is not just about clearing data from government databases—it’s about removing barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities that so many individuals struggle with due to the collateral consequences of their records. The pilot project and HB 132 are part of a broader movement towards automatic expungement. Twelve other states have already implemented some form of state-initiated expungement, recognizing that justice should not come with a price tag or bureaucratic hurdles. As a member of the Hawaiian Clean Slate Expungement Task Force , LPP will continue to explore expanding eligibility to include conviction records, and HB 132 will serve as an important foundation for further progress. "We are grateful to the Hawai‘i Legislature for recognizing the urgency of this issue and urge Governor Green to swiftly sign HB 132 into law. Together, we are making real progress in dismantling the harmful legacy of cannabis prohibition.,” said Adrian Rocha, LPP's Director of Policy. "We also extend our appreciation to Representatives Tarnas, Belatti, Grandinetti, Iwamoto, Kapela, Kusch, Lee, Marten, Perruso Poepoe, and Matayoshi for their support, the Hawai‘i Criminal Justice Data Center, the Attorney General’s office, the ACLU Hawai’i, Health Harm Reduction, Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i, Doctors for Drug Policy Reform, Hawai'i Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Hawaii Cannabis Industry Solutions, Marijuana Policy Project, and all stakeholders who have worked to ensure the success of this initiative." Let’s ensure that Hawai‘i remains at the forefront of meaningful cannabis justice reform. Tell Governor Green to sign HB 132.
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.
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