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Introducing "The Pen to Right History" — A Campaign by LPP and McCann NY

April 17, 2023

The campaign features letters hand-written by the family and friends of cannabis prisoners to demonstrate the injustice of prohibition, and the senseless pain it has inflicted on countless American communities.

NEW YORK – April 17, 2023 – The Last Prisoner Project, a national, non-partisan, non-profit

organization dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform, announced today the launch of

The Pen to Right History,” a new campaign developed in partnership with McCann New York that is

focused on delivering justice for those serving time for non-violent, cannabis-related crimes.


“The Pen to Right History” urges President Biden and governors across the country to free the

thousands of people who remain behind bars in the U.S. due to non-violent cannabis-related

charges. The pen with which family and friends of those incarcerated write their stories and urge

politicians to release their loved ones is being symbolically passed to the President to sign clemency

orders and “right” this long unaddressed wrong.


The campaign launches with a docu-style film chronicling the story of Richeda Ashmeade, a law

student and poet who was just twelve years old when her father, Richardo Ashmeade, was sentenced

to 22 years in prison on cannabis charges. The film highlights not just the inherent unfairness of

Richardo’s incarceration, but how the pain and suffering of the injustice meted to him has rippled

throughout his family. Through its website, digital, social and earned media, “The Pen to Right

History” campaign invites those who have been similarly impacted by cannabis incarceration to

share their stories and ask government officials to pardon non-violent cannabis convicts.


"Growing up in this country with a parent in prison makes it hard to grow up. But despite that, I did.

I’m in law school. I’m an accomplished poet. I’m an advocate. Who I am today defies what statistics

say I should be. But what does it mean when a child growing up to be educated, ambitious and

empathetic is an act of defiance.” wrote Richeda Ashemeade.


Last Prisoner Project is aiming to deliver real justice to these people by pointing out a commonly

overlooked hypocrisy – while recreational and medicinal cannabis usage become increasingly

popular and legalized throughout the United States, tens of thousands of Americans remain incarcerated for convictions like Richardo’s. People of color are especially vulnerable to this particular injustice, with Black people being four times more likely to be imprisoned for these offenses, which upendscommunities and destroys their lives and those of their families, friends and loved ones.


Sarah Gersten, Executive Director and General Counsel, Last Prisoner Project, said, “The vast

majority of Americans support this initiative and even as many states recognize the immorality of

these sentences and de-criminalize cannabis possession, tens of thousands remain in prison. Freeing

them is not only a moral good that provides those unfairly incarcerated with a second chance and

addresses the systemic racism that underpins many of these convictions, but it’s a practical win as

well…it would reduce overcrowding in prisons and save taxpayer money. President Biden took a

positive step last year in pardoning federal convictions but it’s just a step… it’s time for the President

and all of our governors to do the right thing and end this family-destroying, unjust and cruel

scourge once and for all.”


You can watch the full video on YouTube here.


Learn more about the Pen to Right History and how you can help at www.lastprisonerproject.org/pen.


About Last Prisoner Project

The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cannabis-related criminal

justice reform with the goal of releasing every last cannabis prisoner and helping them rebuild their

lives. As the United States moves away from the criminalization of cannabis, giving rise to a major

new industry, there remains the fundamental injustice inflicted upon those who have suffered under

America's unjust policy of cannabis prohibition. Through intervention, advocacy, and awareness

campaigns, the Last Prisoner Project works to redress the past and continuing harms of these

inhumane and ineffective laws and policies. Visit www.lastprisonerproject.org or text FREEDOM to

24365 to donate and learn more.


About McCann Worldgroup

McCann Worldgroup, part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), is a leading global creative solutions company. The company is united across 100+ countries by a mission to help brands earn a

meaningful role in people's lives. McCann Worldgroup was named the world's most creatively

effective marketing services company by The Effie Awards for 2022 for the fourth consecutive year.

The core Worldgroup network is comprised of McCann, MRM, CRAFT, and FutureBrand, and

partners with Momentum Worldwide, Weber Shandwick and UM to deliver solutions across the

entire marketing spectrum.


Contact:

Scott Berwitz, SVP, Corporate Communications, McCann Worldgroup

+1-917-447-3000

scott.berwitz@mccann.com


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 Advisor 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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