Stephanie Gregg Shares the Hardships of Being a Single Parent of Two While Their Father Serves 15-years for Cannabis

Stephanie Shepard • September 6, 2023

Last Prisoner Project's Stephanie Shepard and Stephanie Gregg discuss her experiences as a single co-parent of two children, Presley, 11, and Patron, 14, whose father, Jason, has been in prison for cannabis for nine years. Jason was indicted by the federal government and sentenced to a 15-year sentence for cannabis distribution. Stephanie shares her experience of trying to live a normal life while her husband serves his sentence. Stephanie discusses her children, community involvement, and the challenges she and Jason have faced during his time in prison. Last Prisoner Project emphasizes the need for reform of the prison system for drug offenders.


LPP: 

Tell me a little bit about yourself, Stephanie. How did you come to be speaking with me today?


SG: 

Jason was my childhood crush. I moved back to Mendocino County from Southern California to be with him. We had our 2 sons, Patron and Presley, within the next four years. Patron is going to high school, and Presley to middle school.


LPP:
 

How old was Presley when the feds indicted Jason for cannabis charges?


SG:

Presley was three weeks old.


LPP:
 

You live in the Emerald Triangle, the heart of California cannabis. Did you think, nine years later, you would still be experiencing the collateral consequences of a cannabis charge? 


SG:

It's what I've grown up seeing here. It's what I know. It's normal here. Different from the rest of the world. I had never seen anyone get more than like five years. Very few people got long sentences. I really thought he would get out. I didn't think he would do as much time as he has, but they did give him 15 years in federal prison.


LPP:

As a new wife and mother of two young boys, what did Jason's incarceration do to your relationship? As a couple and as a family?


SG:

Sadly, the system is not set up to keep families together. Jason is still one of my best friends, but after the first couple of years, we had our ups and downs and eventually ended up separating. It's already such a lonely road, that when you put that pressure on someone else, and you're trying to make a relationship work, we realized that we got along so much better as friends. Even if Jason didn't understand what it was like for me out here, I understood what it was like for him in there, so when we come together as friends and support each other, it’s healthy for the kids because they feel when we’re strong, and friends and he's involved. They're solid. We still talk every day, and he's a really good co-parent. He still helps with the boys. Last night, I had to take the kids back-to-school shopping, and teenagers can be tough sometimes. And so I had to get Jason on the phone with his son, and he just gave them the “respect mom” talk, and “she does a lot for you” talk, so he's still very much a part of their lives, as much as he can under the circumstances.


LPP:

How important is that continued connection for both Jason and your sons?


SG:

It’s very important! It keeps Jason grounded. There is not a lot in the way of mental health services available in prison. There were times when he would have benefited from some assistance, but he had to get through it on his own. He’s great today, but the kids have surely been his anchor. The boys have a lightness about them that neither Jason nor I had as a kid. I've done a lot of work to make sure that they don't carry this trauma.


LPP:
 

What kind of father was Jason before being taken away?


SG: 

Jason was a super hands-on dad. Jason was that guy that changed diapers and did the grocery shopping, and he loved it. We contributed a lot to our community. We were super involved. He was at every school function. We weren't just out living some crazy life. That's one thing we had in common. Neither of us had the easiest childhood, and that's what we both really wanted was a family of our own. He was a really good dad, and he is today as well, the best that he can be.


LPP:
When you found yourself a single mother, having to take care of your children, did you have a lot of support?


SG:

I don't. This isn't anything negative to the community or to family, I just don't think people know what to do. There's actually a lot of judgment. I did have love and support, but not where I needed it. People don't know what to do. But I'm also a very prideful person that made it always look like I was good, so I think that probably put a wall up from anyone who may have tried to support me differently.  Some people will say straight to your face, “Well, there are consequences.” When people can be so harsh, you put up those walls. So to answer your question, yes and no. Some wonderful people reached out at first, but the years continue to go by and they disappear. I suffered silently. I would not know what I was made of today if I hadn’t gone through that. And my relationship with God is everything.


LPP:

Becoming a single mother almost instantly, you not only suffered emotionally but also financially. What were the hardest of times that you experienced?


SG:

There were times I could barely afford really important things that were necessary. We were just in survival mode. It just felt like it was us against the world. I saw what government assistance did to my mom, so I didn't want to utilize the government. I didn't get on any kind of welfare, or any of the things that I probably should have put my pride down at times and accepted it.

But I made it. It forced me to figure it out. It’s very difficult for families who lose their provider.

Strangely enough, It's not the people that you're closest with that try to help you. It's not the people you’ve helped make money. It's not the people that you helped with their bills. Jason was very generous. He really believed that when you let money go, it comes back to you. So it's funny. It's not the people you think that will be there, but some wonderful people do come out of the woodwork. LPP gifted me a Family Support Grant, which paid for half of the kids' school tuition for that year because I've put them in private school. I want them to have every opportunity that Jason and I didn't. We were really grateful for that. People think prison is free, and it's not free. That's why I put money on his books every single month, no matter what, no matter what my month looks like. I was lucky to have some childhood friends that just loved me through all the stages. But for Jason, he didn’t have that support. I feel like he got treated like he’d died. This is one of the reasons I'm so protective when it comes to him, he deserves better.

LPP:

How have you cared for yourself during such a trying time? Has Jason shared with you how he gets through his days?


SG:

I had an amazing priest, Father Damien, up at the monastery. I would go up there and just cry, and I would go talk to him about everything that I was going through. He was like a dad to me. Jason works out, and he loves the Constituent Newsletters that he gets. All of that means a lot.



LPP:
 

If you could send President Biden a message, what would you tell him? What change would you like to see?


SG:

First, free Jason Gregg! He has served his time. Let him out so he can experience what's left of his sons' childhoods, they need him. His son's going into high school, his youngest is going into middle school. He's missed all of it. It's time.


As for change, starting with the freeing of every person incarcerated for cannabis. There are also not many educational opportunities or adequate mental health support systems available. Things that can assist in rehabilitating someone are not a priority. Jason will have a lot of work to do when he gets out just to try to get re-established. He has taken every program that he has been offered, and I’m proud of him for that. He's such an amazing human that he doesn't put any negativity on us. He's always positive in the way he talks to the kids, and he asks about them, their day, their sports, it's never about himself. Jason's the strongest person I've ever met. I just have so much respect for him.


LPP:

If you can give our readers one final glimpse into who Jason is, how would you describe him?


SG:

Jason is just a good-hearted country boy from Willits who loves his sons, his community, and his family.


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By Stephen Post April 22, 2025
At the Last Prisoner Project (LPP), we know that true justice means more than legalization—it means clearing the records of those who were criminalized under outdated cannabis laws. Today, we celebrate a major step forward in that fight for justice as Governor Wes Moore signs SB 432, the Expungement Reform Act of 2025 , into law. In Maryland, where Governor Wes Moore made history last year by issuing the nation’s most sweeping cannabis pardon order, we are now happy to see this next step in reform. A criminal record—whether for a conviction or even just an arrest—can create lasting obstacles to employment, housing, education, and other opportunities. The impact is not just personal; according to research from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the U.S. economy loses between $78 and $87 billion annually due to employment barriers faced by people with criminal records. These collateral consequences compound the injustices of the War on Drugs and disproportionately affect communities already marginalized by systemic inequities. SB 432 simplifies the expungement process, removing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and making it easier for individuals to clear their records. The bill will help thousands of Marylanders—many of whom have already served their sentences—access new opportunities and contribute fully to their communities. “People in Maryland were living with the unconscionable reality that any probation violation, from a missed appointment to even decades-old possession of small amounts of now legal cannabis, categorically barred them from ever expunging their record,” said Heather Warnken, Executive Director of the Center for Criminal Justice Reform at the University of Baltimore School of Law . “The Expungement Reform Act has addressed this and more, removing barriers to opportunity for thousands held back by their past record. Like Governor Moore’s historic mass pardon, this victory is the product of true partnership, and an incredible step forward for our state.” SB 432 builds on the momentum of Governor Moore’s bold action in 2024, when he issued the largest cannabis pardon order in U.S. history, granting relief to over 175,000 Marylanders with low-level cannabis convictions . However, as we have long emphasized, a pardon—while powerful—does not automatically clear someone’s record. Until now, many of those same individuals still had to navigate a complicated, costly, and often inaccessible process to obtain full relief. Now, thanks to the passage of SB 432, that process will become significantly more accessible—and, in key cases, automatic. This is a vital step toward making sure the promise of cannabis reform includes real, tangible outcomes for those most affected by prohibition. “At Last Prisoner Project, our mission is to secure freedom and rebuild the lives of those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs,” said Liz Budnitz, Lead Counsel of the Cannabis Justice Initiative at Last Prisoner Project , who was present at the signing ceremony. “SB 432 embodies the idea that legalization must come with justice and repair for those who paid the price for misguided drug policies. We are proud to support reforms like this bill and look forward to continuing to advocate for policies that prioritize the full reintegration of justice-impacted individuals.” Adrian Rocha, LPP’s Policy Director and a member of Governor Moore’s expungement roundtable , added, "Last Prisoner Project commends Governor Wes Moore for signing SB 432, the Expungement Reform Act of 2025, into law. By creating a more efficient and accessible pathway for individuals to expunge cannabis-related convictions and seek post-conviction relief, this bill is a crucial step in addressing the harms caused by decades of cannabis criminalization in Maryland. We are thrilled that more Marylanders will now be able to move forward with their lives, access new opportunities, and contribute fully to their communities.” Maryland now joins 12 other states that have implemented state-initiated expungement for certain offenses, recognizing that individuals should not be required to navigate complex legal systems to obtain relief they are already entitled to. This victory represents not just a legislative achievement, but a powerful moment of healing and restoration. We thank Governor Moore, the Maryland General Assembly, and all our partners and advocates who helped make this bill a reality. But our work is far from over. Cannabis justice means full, automatic relief—not just in Maryland, but across the country. And at the Last Prisoner Project, we’re committed to making that vision real. Watch the full bill signing below and read past coverage here .
By Stephen Post April 17, 2025
Thursday, April 17th (Washington D.C.) - As Americans across the country celebrate the 4/20 cannabis holiday this weekend, tens of thousands of people remain incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses, licensed cannabis businesses are struggling, community uplift funds are stalled, and the federal government's cannabis reclassification process is in limbo. Despite significant progress in cannabis legalization, with 24 states and Washington, D.C. legalizing adult-use cannabis, the fight for full legalization and retroactive relief is more urgent than ever. To mobilize the 70% of the public that supports legalization into political pressure, the Cannabis Unity Coalition, the largest bipartisan coalition of cannabis advocacy, industry, and grassroots organizations, is mobilizing for the Cannabis Unity Week of Action , taking place April 29th - May 1st, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This multi-day event will unite advocates, impacted individuals, and industry leaders to pressure Congress and the Trump administration to fully legalize cannabis and implement retroactive relief measures for those affected by prohibition-era policies. The week will start on Tuesday with a congressional press conference in the morning followed by a welcome ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center starting at 2pm. Wednesday will be dedicated to our Lobby Day where attendees will meet with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to advocate for cannabis reform. Lastly, events will conclude Thursday evening with a Cannabis Freedom Rally outside the White House from 4-9pm to honor those still incarcerated for cannabis and demand their freedom via presidential clemency. As part of our 4/20 clemency campaign , Ben & Jerry’s will be joining the rally to serve free ice cream to help build awareness and mobilize grassroots efforts to demand clemency from governors across the country. The Cannabis Unity Coalition is made up of a broad array of advocate groups span across political boundaries and includes members of the Marijuana Justice Coalition (MJC) like Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Veterans Cannabis Coalition, and Parabola Center; members of the Cannabis Freedom Alliance (CFA) like the Reason Foundation and Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP); Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), which is a member of both coalitions; and industry groups like, National Craft Cannabis Coalition, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), Asian Cannabis Roundtable, and National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers (NABCL), Freedom Grow, Marijuana Justice, Doctors for Drug Policy Reform, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), Supernova Women, Minorities for Medical Marijuana, DCMJ, Just Leadership USA (JLUSA), National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Coalition for Drug Legalization and the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), Mission Green, Latinas in Cannabis, the Equity Trade Network, Cannademix, and Free My Weed Man. “False conservatives and cheerleaders for big government have, for decades, hidden behind the drug war as a justification for a government that’s so intrusive it can monitor whether peaceful people have a few grams of cannabis in their pocket.” Said Geoffrey Lawrence of the REASON foundation . “The PATRIOT Act equates marijuana users with terrorists and erects a massive surveillance state to spy on the financial transactions of every American, whether or not they smoke marijuana. And for what? Marijuana users are not inherently violent criminals and the federal government should have no role in the criminalization of this natural substance.” "Working people deserve a better deal when it comes to criminal justice reform, specifically in Cannabis," said Hugh Giordano, UFCW Labor Union Representative . "Working people can't afford legal costs when dealing the Cannabis offenses, which can lead to unfair sentencing and harm working communities." "Regardless of which party is in control of Congress and the White House, ending federal marijuana criminalization and repairing harms caused by it remains a top priority for the Drug Policy Alliance. As long as marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, communities of color and low-income people will continue to suffer the most through incarceration, family separation, and economic hardship due to marijuana arrests.” Said Maritza Perez, Director of Federal Affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance. “With federal marijuana legalization enjoying majority support across all political affiliations, efforts like the Cannabis Unity Week of Action that bring together groups from a variety of political ideologies should show Congress and the White House that ending federal marijuana prohibition is an issue everyone can get behind." Bill Levers, CEO of Freedom Grow, said, “Unity Day 2025 represents a long-overdue collective awakening. At Freedom Grow, we’ve dedicated years to uplifting the voices and lives of people still serving time for cannabis convictions—people forgotten by the system while the industry thrives. This day in Washington D.C. is about more than policy—it’s about people. It’s about showing lawmakers, and the nation, that there’s a unified, unstoppable force demanding not just the descheduling of cannabis, but true retroactive justice. When we stand united with all other prisoner outreach programs, we send a clear message: cannabis freedom isn’t freedom until it includes everyone—especially those who paid the highest price.” "The legal cannabis industry proudly provides adult consumers and medical patients with safe, lab-tested, high-quality products while supporting hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and generating billions in tax revenue. Despite this progress, outdated federal prohibition policies continue to jeopardize public safety by preventing the legal industry from reaching its full potential to displace the illicit marijuana market — even as a supermajority of voters support federal reform.” Said Aaron Smith, Executive Director of the National Cannabis Industry Association . “We look forward to once again participating in this Unity Week of Action, standing with our partners and fellow advocates to call for a more equitable, compassionate, and sensible approach to federal cannabis policy." Jason Ortiz, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Last Prisoner Project said, "No matter who is in office we will not stop pushing for legalization until we finally end the war on our community. There are still hundreds of thousands of cannabis arrests every year and we will remind Congress that the vast majority of our country, and even 55% of republicans, support legalization. Now it’s on us to push congress to do the right thing, and that’s exactly what we intend to do this Unity Week.” As more organizations join our fight, individuals interested in attending Cannabis Unity Week can sign up for updates here . Additionally, if you have any questions, you can read this FAQ document or watch our recorded information session for more info. Those who can’t join us in D.C. can still participate virtually by contacting your federal representatives to #DecriminalizeNow, urging your governor to grant clemency to those in your state, and following along through livestream. Learn more and take action at LPP.la/CannabisUnityWeek . Press contact: Stephen Post LPP Communications Manager stephen@lastprisonerproejct.org
By Stephen Post April 10, 2025
This 4/20, Last Prisoner Project (LPP) and Ben & Jerry’s are joining forces to urge governors across the country to grant clemency to those still incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. While millions of Americans now legally purchase and profit from cannabis, thousands will remain behind bars for nonviolent cannabis convictions. Through a nationwide digital campaign and on-the-ground events, Ben & Jerry’s and LPP are encouraging supporters to take direct action by signing petitions, contacting governors, and sharing stories of those unjustly imprisoned. Despite broad bipartisan support and growing momentum for legalization and retroactive relief, states with and without legalized adult-use cannabis continue to incarcerate individuals like Antonio Wyatt , who is behind bars in Kansas, and Robert Deals , who is still serving a lengthy sentence in Arizona. “It is unacceptable that while legal cannabis generates billions in tax revenue, states still incarcerate people like Antonio Wyatt and Robert Deals who are serving time for the same thing,” said Sarah Gersten, Executive Director of Last Prisoner Project . “Governors have the power to right this wrong, and we’re calling on them to act now.” The urgency behind this campaign is clear. States continue to enact and enforce outdated cannabis laws—Kansas still maintains full prohibition, while Arizona incarcerates individuals for cannabis-related offenses despite a booming legal market. Meanwhile, public support for clemency is overwhelming; an ACLU poll found that 84% of Americans favor releasing those still behind bars for cannabis offenses. Calls for governors to grant state-level clemency have only been answered by a few leaders like Maryland’s Wes Moore , while many others have failed to act, leaving justice delayed for those still incarcerated. As part of ground efforts, Ben & Jerry’s will be joining the Cannabis Unity Week of Action in D.C. from April 29th-May 1st, serving ice cream to build public awareness and mobilize grassroots efforts to demand clemency from governors like Katie Hobbs (AZ) and Laura Kelly (KS) . Ben & Jerry’s will also be joining LPP to scoop ice cream at PuffDao’s 4/20 Buds and Bites event at PleasureMed in West Hollywood, CA. Supporters can help make this a #420ForFreedom by taking the following actions: ✅ Send a letter to your governor urging for cannabis clemency ✅ Sign petitions and share stories for Antonio Wyatt (KS) and Robert Deals (AZ) ✅ Join the Cannabis Unity Week of Action ✅ Amplify the call for justice by sharing on socials with our #420ForFreedom toolkit ✅ Donate to support our constituents with direct financial support We are grateful for Ben & Jerry’s and all of our 420 For Freedom partners who are supporting us this year including Sunset Lake CBD , The Majority Report Radio , Vessel , Verdi , The Tea House , Dialed in Gummies , Buds Goods , WNC CBD , Jeeter , Counselle Collection , Tree House Cannabis , Ethos , Silver Therapeutics , North Atlantic Seed Co. , Releaf Center , The Peach Fuzz , Cats Luck Vegan , and Police and Thieves (POT) and more. For those interested in supporting our 4/20 efforts, you can learn more at lpp.la/420 . Media contact: Stephen Post Strategic Communications Manager, Last Prisoner Project stephen@lastprisonerproejct.org