Well, on March 3rd, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney FINALLY announced the publication of an application form for those who are applying for a federal weed pardon.

Do you think you might be eligible? Let’s dig into this one.

You Must Have a Federal Conviction

It’s right there in the term “federal weed pardon.” So if you’re facing a conviction from a state court, you’re out of luck. (Especially in the tiny smattering of states who still insist it should be illegal.) Biden has no power to grant you a pardon. You have to look to your state governor or legislature.

You’ll want to take advantage of this federal pardon though, if you can. Once you’re cleared, your right to vote, hold office, or sit on a jury will be upheld once again. (The jury duty may not be all that exciting – depending on your viewpoint.) Proof of the pardon will also help those seeking to obtain licenses, employment, or bonding.

Be Prepared to Be One of the Very Many

The Justice Department estimates that there may be 20,000 people who are eligible for this pardon. So despite that fact they promise the application for the pardon will be simple and not take long to complete, you have to remember they’re speaking in “governmentese.” They have a warped sense of time.

You can bet that it in most cases it won’t be a simple one-sheet document  that you can slap out in a few minutes. You may have to make phone calls, do research, and have conversations (which can take you down a unique set of rabbit holes) to access the information you need.

So yeah. Run, don’t walk. Apply as soon as possible. Because everything will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

What to Expect When Applying for a Federal Weed Pardon

The intake form asks for the usual info such as name, address, phone, and birthday. You may want to bring your driver’s license, state ID, birth certificate, social security card, or whatever else can support that you are who you say are.

You’ll need to know which U.S. District Court heard your case, the statute of your charge/conviction, and your case docket number. You should have your charging document, as well as the judgment of sentencing or conviction. You’ll have to take pics of these documents and save them as PDFs so you can upload them to the application form.

And that’s it. As cannabis business owners, we wish you the best of luck!

Keep Up with the Latest

Now you know the nitty gritty of applying for a federal weed pardon. If you’re ready to get started, you can do so via the online portal here.

And if you’re interested in reading more riveting and mind-blowing stories about cannabis (or at least informative ones) keep checking back with our blog.

The post Applying for a Federal Weed Pardon? appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

So that’s why it’s strange that two Republican congressmen are suddenly concerned that cannabis is environmentally unfriendly.

Their alarm is borne of statistics from various studies.

What Were These Studies?

In their attempt to display the devil’s weed as an environmental hazard, Congressmen Doug Lamborn (R-CO) and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) sent their letter to the respective heads of the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and the Energy Information Administration referencing statistics from several studies.

Their main argument was that cultivating cannabis requires high amounts of electricity and water when compared with other agricultural plants. They’re concerned about increasing competition for energy. Their letter stated, “It is essential that the nation understand the burden marijuana cultivation puts on the electrical grid and the environment.”

Never mind, though, that several of the studies were based on outdated growing technology and one was from over ten years ago. So some of the statistics are (conveniently) antiquated.

Cannabis Is Environmentally Unfriendly…?

For instance, their letter claims that a module with four plants uses as much electricity as 29 refrigerators (3,000 – 7,000 watts). Yet the vast majority of commercial growers use 1000 watt high-pressure sodium lights or have switched the LED models that burn around 300 watts. And many modules have up to ten plants now.

Furthermore, the congressmen stated that the annual cannabis cultivation electricity demand will grow 65% during the next decade. But one of the biggest reasons cannabis cultivation requires so much electricity is that is STILL federally prohibited. Therefore, it must be grown indoors. Once federally legalized, many companies will move from indoor to outdoor growth models.

The whole letter is short-sighted at best.

Why Not Pull From 2021 Study?

Meanwhile, a study published just last year found that cannabis actually uses a small amount of water relative to other agricultural crops. In addition, with proper planning and policy in place, mass scale cannabis will not be a strain on the environment.

Some of the policy recommendations include incentivizing best practices to reduce energy footprints of indoor cannabis cultivation, putting a priority on science-based practices to lessen air pollution and air quality impacts, and pesticide controls that are stricter than those for standard agriculture.

Even so, the congressmen are moving forward with their letter – issuing a series of questions that need to be answered by November 30th. They are as follows:

• How does current marijuana legalization impact state energy consumption and emission levels?
• How would federal legalization of marijuana affect national energy consumption and emission levels?
• What is the anticipated growth of energy usage and emissions from the marijuana industry?
• How will growing energy demands from the marijuana industry affect the reliability of our electric grid?
• What impact do illegal marijuana growing operations have on the country’s water supply?
• What harms do illegal marijuana growers’ use of various fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides pose to wildlife, habitats, and humans in the United States?

Feels like another smoke screen to avoid dealing with all of the REAL problems the country faces. But as long-time cannabis advocates, that’s just our opinion.

Tired of the Demonization of Marijuana?

If you run or own a cannabis business, you’re probably sick and tired of these time-consuming tactics that just make your job harder.

To say that cannabis is environmentally unfriendly is merely a last ditch plea from misguided folks to respect and honor the (not-so) “good old days.” The transparency is astounding.

Don’t get bogged down in the BS. Contact us today to address all your cannabis marketing and public relations needs. And leave the nit-picking to the delusional.

The post Congressmen Say Cannabis Is Environmentally Unfriendly appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

For many, the war continues.

Because even as the country moves toward decriminalizing cannabis, those who suffered criminal conviction and the consequences of it continue to struggle. It is from this struggle that the Last Prisoner Project was born.

What Is the Last Prisoner Project?

With the number of legalized medical marijuana states now pushing 40, there still remains an estimated 40,000 people in prison on cannabis charges. The Last Prisoner Project is committed to freeing every last one of them.

Founded in 2019, the LPP has gathered a team of leaders in social justice and drug policy reform, criminal and social justice advocates, policy and education experts, and cannabis industry leaders to put an end to the harm caused by unjust laws and policies.

It Starts With Reform Initiatives

Releasing incarcerated cannabis prisoners is a big step, but it’s only the first step. Without the proper resources in place, released prisoners face significant barriers. This makes reentry all the more difficult and increases recidivism rates.

Thus, LPP takes a three-pronged approach with their programs:

1. Release & Record Relief

The aim of LPP is for every released prisoner to be fully free. This means the LPP works to ensure that those who are released are also freed from the harm done by antiquated cannabis laws.

As such, their release and record program encompasses clemency and pro bono legal services so they’re able to secure freedom through executive clemency or “compassionate release motions.”

2. Reentry Resources

As mentioned above, the release is only the first step. It’s crucial that released prisoners also have the tools and support needed once they reenter society.

The reentry resources offered by LPP focus on ensuring that their constituents have financial support for things like housing, medical needs, transportation, employability trainings, and financial wellness counseling.

They also offer scholarship opportunities for those interested in pursuing careers in the now legal cannabis industry.

3. Support Fund

Finally, a portion of LPP’s funding goes to those who are currently incarcerated whose children are in need of financial help for educational resources. This money is also earmarked for constituents pursuing their own education while still incarcerated under unjust laws.

It’s clear that the Last Prisoner Project is doing very needed work in communities adversely affected by the United States’ long history of criminalizing marijuana.

Looking for Ethical Marketing Representation?

As the cannabis industry continues to boom and businesses profit, we believe it’s critical that the inequities that preceded its genesis are acknowledged and addressed.

So if you’re seeking experienced cannabis marketing professionals who also put an emphasis on ethics and fairness in the industry, then contact us today.

And support organizations like the Last Prisoner Project in their efforts to shine some light on the industry.

The post The Last Prisoner Project Fights for Justice appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

Filed and sponsored by Representatives Dave Joyce, a Republican from Ohio, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat from New York, the bill is titled the Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement Act – or HOPE Act, for short.

This bill would incentivize local and state governments to expunge cannabis records in their jurisdictions.

Bipartisan Bill Incentivizing State-Level Expungements

So how does the HOPE Act work?

Outdated cannabis law violations can negatively impact opportunities ranging from employment to education to housing for one’s entire lifetime. And it doesn’t just affect the individual. Over several decades, entire families, communities, and regional economies can be hit.

The two Representatives occupying seats on opposite sides of the aisle saw a need to address this issue by proposing the HOPE Act.

If passed, the bill would encourage states to grant relief to people with non-violent marijuana convictions. The costs connected with identifying and clearing specific cases would be provided through federal grants.

These grants could be used to automate the relief process, purchase necessary technology to facilitate expungements, support partnerships for mass relief, and fund badly needed legal clinics. The program would appropriate $2 million in funding for each fiscal year starting in 2023 and ending in 2032.

Ocasio-Cortez said that “as we continue to advocate for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana, this bipartisan bill will provide localities the resources they need to expunge drug charges that continue to hold back Americans, disproportionately people of color, from employment, housing and other opportunity.”

The Positive Impact of Coming Together

We’re not going all Pollyanna on you or anything here. We’re well aware that there’s a level of division in our political system that’s hard to grasp.

But the fact that this particular bill holds bipartisan appeal is small sliver of silver lining on an otherwise dark cloud. Sure, it’s an incremental move to right the heinous wrongs of the drug war. But it’s an important one. Especially since the majority of cannabis arrests happen on the state level.

And since it doesn’t involve the legalization of marijuana in any way, there’s a better chance that Biden will pass it. While he’s still in opposition to adult-use legalization, he’s does believe that records should be expunged and nobody deserves to be incarcerated over cannabis.

The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act also holds a provision to incentivize state-level expungements. It cleared the House Judiciary Committee in September. However, that legislation includes federally descheduling cannabis, so its fate is sketchier.

There are other bipartisan efforts at play though – demonstrating a growing consensus for marijuana policy reform and addressing the damage caused by prohibition.

Final touches are being put on a bill to federally legalize marijuana presented by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, and Senator Cory Booker – all of whom are Democrats.

Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers recently filed a legalization bill that also contains expungement provisions and is framed as a compromise between progressive proposals as well as scaled-back legislation Republican legislators introduced recently.

The War Wages On

As the battle to legalize marijuana and end federal prohibition continues, there’s something positive to be said for the bipartisan bill incentivizing state-level expungements. It’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Keep an eye on cannabis happenings by continually checking back with our blog.

And in the meantime, if your cannabis marketing efforts feel like a constantly failing battle, then contact us today. With years of expertise in cannabis marketing, we’ll ensure that you get noticed.

The post Bipartisan Bill Incentivizing State-Level Expungements appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

If you don’t know about it, you’re not alone. Given what’s going on in the world at large, it didn’t exactly get top-billing in the “this just in” category.

And chances are, this legalization bill which would finally kick cannabis off the federal list of controlled substances, expunge federal cannabis records, and impose federal taxes on marijuana – the revenue of which would be invested in communities most impacted by the War on Drugs – will probably not pass.

We Don’t Mean to Be Pessimistic

But we’re realistic.

We’ve been in the cannabis marketing business since the industry was still in diapers. We’ve seen a lot. And we can only suspect that this recent federal legalization bill, while certainly a step in the right direction, will not pass.

The moniker of the new bill is the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. Introduced by Senator Cory Booker, and co-sponsored by Schumer and Senator Ron Wyden, the bill differs from those in the past by putting the inequality in the current state-legal industry center stage.

In fact, the bill opens with the following:

“The communities that have been most harmed by cannabis prohibition are benefitting the least from the legal marijuana marketplace. A legacy of racial and ethnic injustices, compounded by disproportionate collateral consequences of 80 years of cannabis prohibition enforcement, now limits participation in the industry.”

While all of this is true, there’s still so much opposition to legalization at the federal level that it seems insurmountable. Furthermore, at its introduction, the bill had no Republican co-sponsors and it’ll need at least a few to support it. Add to that that even the highest ranking Democrat, President Joe Biden, is barely in support of decriminalization – let alone legalization.

At the end of the day, there’s still some seriously old school thinking the bill is up against in D.C.

What Does the Recent Marijuana Bill Say?

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act is proposing several major actions.

1. Provide Restorative Justice Programs

The new bill proposes the development of an Opportunity Trust Fund within the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs. It also sets out to create a Cannabis Opportunity Program within the Small Business Administration. This would enable cannabis companies run by equity eligible owners to attain Section 7(m) small business loans.

In addition, there’s the introduction of an Equitable Licensing Grant Program. Its purpose would be to fund state or municipal efforts to develop equitable cannabis licensing programs for those most adversely affected by the War on Drugs

The capital to create such programs would come from a newly imposed

federal cannabis tax. In addition to existing state and local taxes, there would be a federal tax of 10% for the first two years of legalization which would gradually rise to 25%.

2. Identify Those Who’ve Been Most Impacted by The War on Drugs

The bill will also clearly define the parameters for individuals most eligible for federal cannabis equity opportunities. There are two main criteria and individuals must meet at least one of them.

Any individual with an income below 250% of the federal poverty level for at least 5 of the past 10 years who has been also been arrested for the possession, use, cultivation, or manufacture of cannabis will qualify. In addition, the parent, sibling, spouse, or child of an individual arrested for the above would also qualify.

3. Descheduling Cannabis and Changes in Regulation

And finally, cannabis would at long last be struck from the federal schedule of controlled substances. The bill proposes the DEA be removed from the business of cannabis law enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as the the Department of Health and Human Services become the two regulating agencies.

The bill also serves to prevent federal officials from discriminating against those who use marijuana legally.

The Bill Is Not Perfect

But nothing ever is.

While policy reform advocates are generally excited about the bill, some have noted that it would continue to subject federal employees to cannabis drug testing. Furthermore, cannabis record expungement would not be extended to all who’ve been impacted.

A measure in the bill expunges federal cannabis records within one year of the bill’s passage. Those who received enhanced sentences for past cannabis crimes, however, would not be eligible. And many of those individuals have already paid the highest price for such an opportunity.

The Cannabis Industry Is Always Evolving

Regardless of whether the new marijuana bill passes, it does feel that we’re inching ever closer to federal legalization and more social equity.

At least, we hope so and will continue to fight the fight.

In the meantime, if you own a cannabis business and could benefit from marketing experts who know the industry inside and out, contact us today. We know how tough it is to stand out in this increasingly saturated industry. And we have the expertise to make it happen.

The post Will Recent Marijuana Bill Legalize on Federal Level? appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

Now it’s headed to the House for a vote.

The main culprit is delta-8 THC which is a psychoactive cannabinoid synthesized from hemp. Though there are other compounds of concern on the bill as well.

What the Bill Entails

The bill seeks to expands the definition of cannabis to include THC “regardless of whether it is artificially or naturally derived” and regulate cannabinoids under the state’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency.

Other states have already passed similar legislation. In Alaska and Vermont, these cannabinoids are prohibited. Washington state has a temporary ban on delta-8 and delta-10. Oregon and Illinois lawmakers are currently toying with prohibiting them.

So What’s Going On?

The cannabis compound that most commonly provides psychoactive effects is delta-9 THC. But now folks in the hemp and marijuana industries have figured out how to synthesize a compound from hemp known as delta-8 THC.

Delta-8 THC induced euphoric effects similar to those of delta-9 THC. But since the prior laws were written too narrowly to include it, products such vaping cartridges, tinctures and edibles are showing up on gas station, smoke shop, and convenience store shelves.

These same products are also easily available online.

As such, marijuana testing labs are reporting a large increase in the number of growers and producers who are extracting delta-8 THC from marijuana rather than the more traditional delta-9 THC. And since delta-8 THC is in a legal grey area, hemp farmers have also found it an increasingly popular way to sell their harvests.

Making Delta-8 THC Harder to Get

Michigan state Representative Pat Outman (R.) said the unregulated cannabinoids remind him of other “sketchy substances that are working their way into gas stations and other retail places.” He feels there aren’t consumer protections or any sort of regulatory structure for such products.

The House Bill is actually sponsored by Democrat state Representative Yousef Rabhi of Ann Arbor. If the bill passes, products containing delta-8 THC and other cannabis-derived substances would fall within the purview of the Marijuana Regulatory Agency.

The products would be considered marijuana and therefore be required to be produced by licensed marijuana businesses, tested for safety and sold only at licensed marijuana businesses or events.

Furthermore, only individuals and shops licensed by state cannabis regulators will be able to produce and sell hemp-derived THC products.

If the Michigan House approves the measure, it will move onto the Senate and then seek approval from Governor Gretchen Whitmer to become law.

Interested in All the Latest in Cannabis News?

Surprised to hear there’s such a thing as delta-8 THC?

As cannabis marketing experts, it’s essential that we stay on top of every shift and change in the industry. And they’re constant.

So keep checking back with our blog for all the latest on cannabis happenings in Southeast Michigan and beyond.

The post Michigan Bill Seeks to Regulate Delta-8 THC appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

But if Republican State Rep Mary Whiteford and Democratic State Rep Abdullah Hammoud have it their way, you’ll no longer see them. This week, they’re introducing a bill in Michigan that would potentially prohibit cannabis billboard advertising.

Marijuana advocates recognize this as the latest in anti-cannabis rhetoric. But even if it doesn’t garner enough support to become a law, cannabis protection groups are paying attention.

The Age of Misinformation

While there’s a wealth of public acceptance of the cannabis industry, there continues to be a bounty of misinformation. This is something that Stephen Linder works tirelessly to change.

Linder is part of of the Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association, a group that strives to change peoples’ perception of cannabis. He and the group argues that the cannabis industry creates jobs and helps boost the state’s economy. This has been especially key during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We employ thousands of Michigan citizens. We are paying tens of thousands of dollars in taxes,” he says. “So it is a true supply chain, manufacturing and retail industry and during the pandemic we were one of the industries because our products are also considered medicine so we were listed as one of the essential businesses.”

Why Prohibit Cannabis Billboard Advertising?

According to Whiteford and Hammoud, it’s unsettling for those who still consider weed a tool of the devil to see those ads along busy roads and highways. (Never mind the fact that they’re seeing ads for alcohol and gambling too – the latter of which is still not legal in every state.)

And then there are the children.

“So I’m a grandma. My granddaughter is six, and my grandsons are three and one. And, as I drive down the highway, I see these glorious, brightly colored billboards. As I look closer, it’s for marijuana,” Says Whiteford. “We can’t have tobacco on billboards, so why are we able to have marijuana on billboards?”

Even so, Linder understands their concern. He doesn’t feel antagonistic towards those who don’t quite grasp this new and uncharted territory.

In response to the tobacco argument, he’s quick to point out the tobacco is listed as a carcinogen and cannabis is not. “It is considered medicine, at least those products that pass the testing standards. And, most cannabis products are not smoked. Most cannabis products are ingested in the form of edibles.”

The Challenges of Advertising Cannabis

Cannabis marketing experts are all too familiar with the rules and regulations associated with advertising marijuana. Because marijuana is still federally illegal and all broadcast media is FCC regulated, such advertising is already prohibited on radio and television. This makes it a huge challenge for dispensary owners and other cannabis businesses to get their names out there.

To get rid of billboards too would really limit their marketing capabilities.

“We have two types of media we can use,” says dispensary owner Davide Uccello. “That’s online and that’s billboards.”

But it’s not just the marijuana businesses that would suffer as a result of this law. Given that the cannabis industry is currently the largest purchaser of billboards, they stand to take a serious hit.

It’s a lose-lose situation.

Struggling With Marketing Your Cannabis Business?

If you’re a cannabis business owner, you know how tough it is to get the attention you need in this highly competitive market. Hopefully the bill won’t pass to prohibit cannabis billboard advertising on top of that.

Regardless, you may want to consider leaving your ad strategies to cannabis marketing specialists. Contact us today. We’ll put our years of experience and expertise to work for you – billboards or not.

The post Bill Seeks to Prohibit Cannabis Billboard Advertising appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

Think of it as a new marijuana tax to boost diversity. It’s part of a more comprehensive plan to help people and communities that have been disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition and enforcement.

And if implemented, it will raise millions of dollars to assist disadvantaged groups succeed in the cannabis industry.

Blazing Trails in Michigan

When voters approved the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act back in 2018, the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MMRA) created the Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup.

The work group has met monthly since last July. It’s composed of state lawmakers, representatives of minority-focused industry and broader business groups, representatives of municipalities with high minority populations, lawyers with experience in equity and racial disparity issues, and those with experience in finance, real estate, and banking. The new plan is their brainchild.

“This is a really, really progressive initiative,” said attorney Barton Morris of the Cannabis Legal Group in Royal Oak. He also chairs one of the work group’s five subcommittees. “It’s going to make Michigan a leader in our industry, throughout the entire country.”

And it’s high time (no pun intended) that diversity become a primary focus. Data collected in December by the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory shows that only 3.8% of those with an ownership interest in licensed recreational marijuana businesses in Michigan are Black. Only 1.5% are Hispanic or Latino.

So the work group is getting down to brass tacks with this new initiative to be a leader on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the country.

New Marijuana Tax to Boost Diversity

The agency’s work group has recommended reinstating a 3% excise tax on medical marijuana sales that was repealed in 2016. 30% of the proceeds would go to a social equity capital investment program.

Money could be used to provide loans or grants to social equity license applicants to aid with startup costs, training, and technical assistance.

On the recreational marijuana end, they suggest creating a new 1.5% tax on transactions between license holders, such as sales between producers and retailers. 20% of those proceeds would go to a social equity investment fund, while 30% would go to the licensee’s host city, 20% to their county, 20% to their school district, and 10% to medical marijuana research.

That’s Just the Beginning Though

Among the work group’s other suggestions are:

• An agency-hosted crowdfunding platform to connect investors and marijuana businesses located in economically disadvantaged communities
• Requiring larger marijuana companies to purchase a certain percentage of supplies and services from disadvantaged companies
• Reallocation of some current funding to increase the presence of Black and brown-owned businesses in the cannabis space
• Training sessions with bilingual content to help social equity license applicants comprehend the licensing process and the challenges of growing a marijuana business
• A new microbusiness license permitting 300 plants obtained from licensed growers, as well as use of licensed processors.

Of course, implementing some of these recommendations will require action and approval by the Legislature. But it’s a major move in a positive direction.

Plus, the executive director of the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency is in the process of developing a permanent equity and diversity working group to turn these recommendations into reality.

Embrace Social Justice

As cannabis marketing experts, we’re strongly in favor of a new marijuana tax to boost diversity. We want to see everyone succeed in this industry.

So if you find yourself shelling out a little more for your marijuana, just know that you’re serving as an agent of change… for the better.

And if you currently have a cannabis business and haven’t reviewed your marketing strategy in a while, it could be time. Contact us for a free consultation to see how we can help.

The post New Marijuana Tax to Boost Diversity appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

In fact, ACLU of Michigan Racial Justice Staff Attorney Mark Fancher puts it like this – “the war on marijuana has amounted to a war on people of color.” The continued imprisonment of Michael Thompson is prime example of this.

Yet it’s not just black Americans languishing in prisons with non-violent marijuana related offenses. And advocates are calling for the release of all non-violent offenders.

As such, a large group recently penned a letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer to address this issue. And our team applauds their efforts.

The Stories of Michael Thompson and Rudi Gammo

Back in 1994, Thompson sold three pounds of cannabis to an informant in the Flint Area Narcotics Group. Although officers later found guns in Thompson’s home and in a locked safe, absolutely no firearms were used during the sale for which he was arrested.

Even so, he was given 42-60 years for firearm possession, as well as 10-15 years for the marijuana counts. His first opportunity for release will happen when he is 87.

Meanwhile, Gammo is serving a five year sentence that began in 2018 for operating a dispensary that was sanctioned by the city of Detroit under the 2008 medical cannabis law.

Ironically, the dispensary is still open today, while Gammo remains behind bars.

Prison in the Time of COVID-19

To confound matters, both men have recently contracted COVID-19 while in the prison system. With prison healthcare systems currently under tremendous strain, these diagnoses could be death sentences. Thompson’s condition is further complicated by the fact that he’s older and has Type 2 diabetes.

Adding to an already unthinkable situation, Gammo’s six-year-old son was recently diagnosed with leukemia and while struggling through the treatments, his son talks about how much he wants to be with his “baba” to help him feel better.

It’s a sad and unjust situation – to say the least.

Advocates Are Calling for the Release of Non-Violent Offenders

The Last Prisoner Project joined with the Cannabis Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party, the Reception Foundation, FORCE Detroit, Law Office of Barton Morris and 37 other companies and individuals to request of Governor Whitmer she grant the early release for Thompson, Gammo, and every other non-violent cannabis prisoner currently incarcerated in the state of Michigan.

Whitmer stated after the 2018 gubernatorial election that she thought that the people of Michigan believed that no one should bear a lifelong record for conduct that would now be legal.

While a “clean slate” bill was signed on October 12, 2020 to expunge certain offenses, it was only just a start. Many non-violent cannabis prisoners such as Thompson and Gammo remain in jail.

Meanwhile, as both men struggle with COVID-19 and Gammo is unable to be with his sick child, other folks are making millions of dollars doing almost the exact same thing under new cannabis laws.

No More Hesitating on Expungement

“During [Governor Whitmer’s] campaign for governor, [she] announced she was in support of expungements instead of commutations,” attorney Barton Morris says. Now seems like the perfect time to demonstrate this support.

So in their letter to the governor, the advocates are calling for the release of non-violent offenders and hoping she’ll finally enact some serious legislation before it’s too late.

After all, action speaks louder than words. And thus far, there just hasn’t been enough.

And for more stories from the wide world of cannabis, keep checking back with us.

The post Advocates Are Calling for the Release of Non-Violent Offenders appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

In Michigan, there are hundreds who remain locked up – despite promises of expungement. While Michigan’s latest expungement law promises expungement for nonviolent marijuana offenders, these changes won’t go into effect until April 11th, 2021.

Automatic expungement won’t be introduced for at least another two years, to give the state time to implement a new system. But those sitting in Michigan prisons and jails right now for nonviolent cannabis offenses don’t have time to waste.

Given the progression of cannabis in Michigan, there is clearly a need for criminal justice reform. This is precisely the focus of the Last Prisoner Project (LPP).

What Is the Last Prisoner Project?

The LLP is an organization demanding criminal justice reform through interventions, advocacy, and awareness. It has dedicated its mission through engagement and specific campaigns.

Right now, LPP’s major release campaign is centered on Michigan’s cannabis prisoners. Dubbed the Michigan Cannabis Prisoner Relief Fund, this campaign has worked in partnership with the Redemption Foundation and the Cannabis Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party, along with the the Law Offices of Barton Morris, to raise more than $30,000 in just one month’s time.

Liberating Those With Nonviolent Marijuana Offenses

As we stated above, there are hundreds still serving time in Michigan for these offenses. One such person is Michael Thompson.

In 1994, Thompson was sentenced to 42-60 years in prison for selling three pounds of marijuana to an undercover officer. Now, 25 years later, he remains in a Muskegon prison. His release was recently supported by the Michigan Attorney General, but he’s still awaiting a public parole review hearing pursuant to his clemency petition.

Then there’s Rudi Gammo.

There’s no arguing that Rudi Gammo is one of the people who helped to foster so many of the available opportunities in Michigan’s licensed commercial cannabis program. Yet, in 2018, Gammo was sentenced to 5.5 years for operating a medical dispensary that was distributing Michigan caregiver product.

That practice was only recently discontinued by the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency in October of 2020. Nevertheless, Rudi was prosecuted for operating a criminal enterprise by the Oakland County Prosecutor, Jessica Cooper – who, incidentally, lost her 2020 primary and will soon be replaced.

“(Rudi) has been a close friend for many years and is one of the most prominent examples of the need for restorative criminal justice in Michigan,” says Barton Morris, principal attorney and founder of the Cannabis Legal Group, who represented Rudi Gammo in that criminal court case. “I am personally dedicated to doing everything in my power to obtain his immediate release, as well as for all similarly situated cannabis prisoners in Michigan. So is the Last Prisoner Project.”

Donations Forward the Cause

Leaders in the Michigan cannabis industry are stepping forward to make a difference. One such company is Michigan Supply & Provisions (MS&P).

MS&P partnered with LPP earlier in the year to be vocal about the crucial role current cannabis companies play in advocating correctional reform.

“We cannot sit idly by and watch people like Michael Thompson sit in jail for doing something that we now are legally allowed to profit,” says MS&P Founder and CEO Francis Perullo. “Mr. Thompson has more than paid his debt to society and should be freed.”

To boost fund-raising efforts, MS&P now offers its customers the opportunity to donate at all of their locations.

Furthermore, Barton Morris is also calling on companies to join in the effort. With a donation of $1,000 or more to the campaign, they will have their logo and link on the Michigan Prisoner Release campaign page and online donation page. They will also appear in a press release as a major contributor, and their logo will be included on each of three fund raising videos that are currently in production.

Furthermore, their contribution and support will be used in social equity program narratives written by the law firm in all subsequent applications – both state and municipal.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, all donations will go toward the release of Michigan cannabis prisoners and their families, reentry resources such as housing and transportation, and all other essentials towards rebuilding their lives.

How Can You Make a Difference?

It’s clear that the time has come to forgive nonviolent marijuana offenses in Michigan (and nationwide, for that matter).

You can help make that happen by donating here with any amount you can.

And if your company is able to make a minimum $1,000 donation, be sure to send your logo to the Law Offices of Barton Morris to be included on all campaign materials as promised.

As cannabis marketing experts, we can honestly say that everybody wins with this opportunity.

The post Nonviolent Marijuana Offenses Must Be Forgiven appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.