KANSAS
When a state legalizes adult-use cannabis, it is acknowledging that public interest has turned against the continued criminalization of cannabis. However, simply repealing the prohibition of cannabis is insufficient: millions of individuals across the U.S. still bear the lifelong burden of having a cannabis record, and tens of thousands are actively serving sentences for cannabis-related convictions. Unfortunately, Kansas has not yet legalized adult use nor has the state enacted any laws that can begin to provide retroactive relief to individuals that have been criminalized during prohibition.
Get started by learning more about the state of cannabis justice in Kansas below and writing a letter to Governor Kelly!
Governor Laura Kelly Cannabis Clemency
Americans on both sides of the aisle support pardoning those with cannabis-related convictions. But the public needs to pressure their governors to do what’s right. Through our Pardons to Progress campaign, you can urge your governor to deliver bold action and immediate relief by granting clemency to the tens of thousands of people still incarcerated for cannabis in your state.
Donte West: From Exoneration to Advocacy
Donte West is the 2779th Exonerated person in the United States according to the University of Michigan Law School. After prevailing on his pro se motion his prison sentence was vacated and his conviction was overturned after serving 3 years for a pound of cannabis on a nearly 8 year sentence.
In 2021 he was hired at the national non-profit Last Prisoner Project to help release cannabis prisoners across the United States, working alongside former U.S. Attorney for Kansas Barry Grissom with a focus on Midwest and Southern parts of the United States as a decriminalization and anti incarceration advocate. Donte has helped several continents get released before their projected release date upon release while completing Rutgers Law School on cannabis law and business. Donte is a Stockton, California native but now resides in Kansas City, Missouri.
Donte's advocacy was recognized by Kansas City where April 20th is now officially "4/20 Donte West Cannabis Justice Day". You can read more about Donte's journey in KC Star, Kansas City Mag, Missouri Independent, and Hollywood Unlocked.
WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR GOVERNOR
Americans on both sides of the aisle support pardoning those with cannabis-related convictions. But the public needs to pressure their governors to do what’s right. Through our Pardons to Progress campaign, you can urge your governor to deliver bold action and immediate relief by granting clemency to the tens of thousands of people still incarcerated for cannabis in your state.
The State of Cannabis Justice in KS
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PSYCHEDELICS IN KANSAS: Learn more about our approach to Psychedelic Policy Reform
