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LA Appeals Court Affirms Kevin Allen's 35-Year Sentence for Cannabis is "Not Excessive"

Stephen Post • September 19, 2024

Kevin Allen’s case has been a stark example of how outdated drug laws can continue to impact individuals long after public opinion and legislation have evolved. Recently, the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that Allen’s 35-year sentence for selling $20 worth of marijuana was “not excessive,” affirming his lengthy incarceration for nonviolent cannabis-related offenses.


In 2014, Allen was convicted of selling just $20 worth of cannabis to a confidential informant in two separate transactions. Despite the minor nature of the offense, Louisiana’s habitual offender statutes and Allen’s previous nonviolent drug convictions allowed the court to initially sentence him to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This severe sentence was handed down despite the fact that none of Allen’s prior offenses involved violence.


In 2022, the Louisiana Supreme Court intervened, vacating his life sentence and ordering the lower court to impose a punishment that was not constitutionally excessive. This led to a 35-year sentence being handed down, which was still viewed by advocates as overly punitive for a nonviolent offense involving such a small amount of cannabis. Allen’s supporters, including groups like the Last Prisoner Project, continue to argue that this sentence remains excessive given the nonviolent nature of his offense and the ongoing decriminalization of marijuana across many parts of the country, including parts of Louisiana.


Unfortunately, the appeals court upheld the 35-year sentence, emphasizing that although Allen’s crimes were nonviolent, they involved drugs, which the court viewed as contributing to broader societal harm. This ruling disregarded Allen’s personal history, including his strong family ties, lack of violent conduct, and the numerous changes in marijuana legislation since his conviction.


While the court stated it had complied with Louisiana’s sentencing guidelines under Article 894.1, many of Allen’s advocates believe that his personal circumstances and the nature of the offense were not given the appropriate weight. Allen’s case has drawn attention to the broader issues within the criminal justice system, where nonviolent offenders, particularly those caught up in the "War on Drugs," continue to face disproportionate sentences under habitual offender laws.


As it stands, Kevin Allen remains incarcerated for what many see as a relic of a bygone era in drug enforcement. While the legal system has moved in some areas toward a more equitable approach to cannabis-related offenses, for Kevin Allen, that shift remains elusive. His case continues to be a rallying point for those advocating for justice in nonviolent drug offenses, particularly as more states decriminalize or legalize cannabis.


For Allen and others like him, the fight for a more just outcome is far from over. We remain committed to pushing for sentencing reform and clemency in the hopes that one day, justice will truly reflect the severity of the offense—rather than the heavy-handed statutes of the past. We have already been working with Kevin's attorneys to appeal this decision and have his case reviewed by the Louisiana Supreme Court again.

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.
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.
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