Vicki Thomas’ Gut-Wrenching Journey Through Her Husband's 8-Year Cannabis Incarceration

Stephanie Shepard • December 23, 2024

Last Prisoner Project’s Director of Advocacy Stephanie Shepard recently had the opportunity to sit down with Vicki Thomas, a woman whose family was devastatingly impacted by the war on drugs. Vicki's husband, Harold, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a cannabis-related offense, leaving Vicki and their family to navigate the emotional and financial turmoil that followed. In this powerful interview, Vicki shares her story, the challenges she faced, her unwavering fight to bring Harold home, and her plea to President Biden to do for other families what could have been done for hers.


Life Before Incarceration

Vicki describes her family's life before Harold's arrest as a "normal" one - filled with family gatherings, vacations, and community involvement. Vicki says “We were just an average family, just making it, having family get-togethers, traveling, taking vacations, enjoying our five grandkids, just a normal life. There was nothing that I saw that was abnormal. Our kids were grown, and we got to spend quality time with our grandkids, went to church every week, and started different businesses”. Vicki was in school and was preparing for retirement and a move back to her hometown in Ohio when their world was turned upside down.


The Arrest and Aftermath

Vicki recounts the day when her husband was picked up and their home was raided. She was left in the dark, unsure of what was happening and how to navigate the complex legal system. "It was a very challenging time because I didn't know what was going on," Vicki says. “Not knowing what was going on with him in prison, how he was being treated, trying to talk to him over the phone, and sometimes he couldn't call, because things didn't work out electronically, or different things were going on in the prison and that brought on a lot of anxiety when I couldn't get in contact with him. I was a mess. I found myself crying a lot and very depressed." Despite their efforts to fight the charges, Harold was ultimately sentenced to 8 years in prison, a mandatory sentence that left Vicki and her family devastated.


Adjusting to Life Alone

The aftermath of Harold's incarceration was a profound struggle for Vicki. She describes feeling anxious, depressed, and alone, unable to confide in friends or family who had not experienced a similar situation. Vicki had to return to work to support the household, all while worrying about her husband's well-being in prison while enduring the financial strain of sending him money. "It was a financial hardship, and since I’d retired, I had to go back and find a job to try to keep the house. I didn't know who to turn to or talk to because I didn't know anyone; friend or family, that's ever gone through this. I couldn't talk to anyone at work about it. It was like my entire family and I were in prison too.”

When asked how her children dealt with Harold’s incarceration, Vicki said “My daughter had a hard time with it. She was trying to go to school, and I was trying to help her out, by babysitting and doing different things to allow her to have a somewhat normal life, because she was a single parent, there was so much going on, and that's very difficult position when you're a single parent. People don't understand the day-to-day struggles that go on. Thinking about feeding yourselves or do you pay your gas and electric bills? Sometimes you have to pick and choose different things while the rest of the world is going on, we were just trying to support one another. She finally got into cosmetology school and completed it this year, but the struggle was real. There were days that she couldn't make it to school because of transportation or different things that came up. She wanted to talk to her dad and have that support. My son stepped up and took the place of being the rock for the family. He tried his best to make sure that we were okay. It was hard because he's on the West Coast, but he did the best he could”.


The Fight for Harold's Release

Vicki and her family fought tirelessly to secure Harold's release, researching the law, filing paperwork, and even representing him in court. Vicki says “We were pretty much grassroots, doing our research, getting the paperwork together, going to the courts, submitting the paperwork, it was a daily grind. It was like a full-time job to see how we could get him out of jail”. She recounts the dramatic courtroom scene, where the prosecution brought in a large amount of marijuana as evidence, leaving Vicki and her daughter in tears. Harold was trying to advocate for himself, but it’s difficult to do when you have no support and he simply didn't have the support he needed. Despite their efforts, the judge ultimately sentenced Harold to a mandatory 8-year term, a devastating blow to the family. Vicki says “It was too much to even process at that time, to hear the sentence and to see Harold taken away, it was like someone had died. I felt like we were in mourning for eight years”. I couldn't talk to anyone at work about it. It was like my entire family and I were in prison too”.


Discovering the Last Prisoner Project

During her struggle, Vicki discovered the Last Prisoner Project, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by the war on drugs. Vicki said “I was seeking out organizations that supported people that were incarcerated for cannabis and Last Prisoner Project came up, and I was so overjoyed because I didn't think anyone was out there doing anything. The more I reached out, the more frustrated I got with the different organizations. They're helping certain populations, but they never returned to help in our case. So I just kept seeking and searching, and I finally found Last Prisoner Project”. She describes the initial interaction as a glimmer of hope, with a then law student researcher reaching out to express interest in Harold's case, Mariah Daly. "She made me feel like there's people out there that cared," Vicki says.


The relationship grew, “I thought it was going to be like the other organizations, they would take my information, and then I wouldn't hear back from them. I was in California one year, and I got a call from Mariah, and she was saying she was researching different cases, and Harold's came up and she said, “I want to see if we can help Harold”. She was awesome. I felt like I was just out there in space somewhere and that people probably thought I was crazy for asking people to help me, and here she was calling me, saying, “We want to try to help you”. She didn't make any promises. She just wanted to see if his case would fit. She said, “I have to take it back to the powers that be, but I just want to research and see what we can do. Let me get back to you”. I didn't hear for a while, so I just kind of forgot about it, because of my experiences with other organizations, but then I got contacted again by them, and I was like, “Oh my gosh, they're still around”. I was excited because they didn't forget about us. I was telling Harold, and he said, “Well, you know, those organizations are not going to really help us”, because being in there, he already had this thought that no one cares, right? But I said, “No, I really think this organization is going to help I really do”. Because of Harold's mandatory sentence, the courts just wouldn't budge, but like I said, just having the support that someone's trying. He said he got help with some commissary funding but he didn't know who it was from, I said, “Well, it probably was from Last Prisoner Project”.... and turned out it was! I said, “Oh my God, there they go again. We were so elated that somebody cared and that we were not walking this walk alone. The ongoing support from the Last Prisoner Project, including financial assistance and emotional encouragement, was a lifeline for Vicki and her family. 


The Lasting Impact and Calls for Change

Vicki emphasizes the devastating and long-lasting impact of cannabis incarceration on families like hers. "It's devastating. The impact is devastating. You can never get that time back," she says. Vicki calls for the release of all cannabis prisoners, arguing that the war on drugs has failed and that these individuals deserve to be reunited with their loved ones. She also urges President Biden to take action in the final days of his term, stating, "Let them out. It doesn't make sense. Half of America has legalized cannabis in some form now. These are people who deserve to be with their families, live their lives, and be economically independent just as much as anyone else does. They can contribute to society in so many ways and deserve a second chance to do that with how far the cannabis industry has come. I know President Biden understands the importance of family and we can never get that time back, so we have to find a way to forget it ever happened so that we can move forward because it takes a toll on everyone”. 


Vicki's story is a powerful testament to the human cost of the war on drugs and the urgent need for reform. Her resilience and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity are inspiring, and her call for change resonates with the millions of families impacted by the unjust criminalization of cannabis. As Last Prisoner Project continues its mission to right these wrongs, Vicki's story serves as a reminder of the profound impact of standing up for justice with compassion.


Check out Harold's perspective below:

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