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.

In Pennsylvania, it only takes 1 ng/mL.

Colorado, Washington and Nevada are more lenient with a 5 ng/mL limit.

But in Michigan, a special commission is advising state lawmakers to NOT set limits on how much THC a person can have in their system before they’re considered too impaired to drive.

And as one of Michigan’s leading advocates for cannabis users, Barton Morris agrees.

Who Is Barton Morris?

In the world of cannabis law, Barton Morris has some serious chops.

Having developed expertise since 2008 with the enactment of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, Barton Morris is considered one of the top cannabis law lawyers in Michigan.

As the principal attorney and founder of the Cannabis Legal Group, he specializes in all marijuana related legal issues including criminal defense, business law, licensing, consulting, land use and real property.

Morris is unique in that he is the only attorney in Michigan certified by the American Chemical Society as a Forensic Lawyer-Scientist maintaining a focus on marijuana related science.

He acts as a council member of the Marijuana Law Section of the Michigan Bar Association, as well as chair of its science committee.

Additionally, he is an official spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. Based on this last point, one might assume that he would want to put a legal limit on THC – given that there is a legal limit on alcohol.

But that’s not the case.

Alcohol and THC Metabolize Differently

The commission, known as the Impaired Driving Safety Commission, has spent the past year studying the effects of THC and then compiling a report.

In their report, they found there is no scientifically supported threshold for THC that correlates to impaired driving.

“It’s something that people want to compare it to alcohol,” says Morris. “It simply doesn’t exist.”

That’s because there are many ways to consume marijuana. And the way it affects people can vary widely. Chronic users can have high levels of THC in their blood and function quite well, while newbies with low levels of THC could be feeling an impact.

In fact, according to the report, studies show that people impaired by cannabis tend to drive slower, leave more space between cars and take fewer risks than when they drive sober.

No Legal Limit Means Sticking to the Facts

“The commission was very accurate,” Morris said. “There cannot be a THC concentration in blood that reasonably equates to impaired driving.”

And it’s not just defense attorneys who advocate the no legal limit for THC.

Most prosecutors appreciate the idea of having no recommended limit because they can remain focused on all of the other factors of the case including the driver’s ability to control the car, field sobriety tests and the police officer’s observations.

With no legal limit, “now it’s just a factor that must be taken into consideration,” Morris said.

It makes perfect sense to us. Especially since the state government is working toward expunging marijuana related charges – not adding more.

Seeking Consultation?

State and municipal laws involving marijuana change rapidly.

As an advocate for cannabis users and businesses, Barton Morris and the Cannabis Legal Group can provide you with complete marijuana business and compliance services to keep you running as efficiently as possible.

Then contact us to address your cannabis marketing needs.

Between our team and Barton Morris’s team, we’ve got you covered.

The post Barton Morris Continues to Advocate for Cannabis Users appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

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Morris’s education, experience, and expertise sets Cannabis Legal Group apart, for he is knowledgeable about not only the ins and outs of the MMMA, but the criminal side of the industry. He attends and hosts cannabis conferences to further develop relationships, learn, educate, and engage others about the various aspects of medical marijuana, including processing, cultivation, dispensaries, and municipalities. By doing so, Morris fills necessary gaps for clients to be successful in their cannabis business ventures.

As the only attorney in Michigan certified by the American Chemical Society as a Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, it is safe to say Morris is fascinated by the science of cannabis, including chemical and microbiological testing. Moreover, he is attentive to the EPA, FDA, and Department of Agriculture’s potential involvement with the cannabis marketplace.

In addition, Morris is a board member of the Marijuana Law Section of the Michigan Bar Association and chair of its science committee, wherein he organizes and speaks at all of their events to further educate roughly 600 marijuana lawyers on the criminal and business side of marijuana law. He focuses much of his attention on issues in the field and supports the idea that more scientific research is necessary. Morris believes that 10 years from now, society will have enough scientific understanding of the significant medical benefits of cannabis, leaving people to question why it was suppressed so much for so long.

The reality is, marijuana is classified as a schedule 1 controlled substance with many misconceptions and stigmas surrounding it. The MMMA is nothing more than a defense. It does not legalize marijuana. In light of this, Morris continues to learn and understand not only how safe marijuana is and how it medically helps people, but how it should not be associated with drugs like alcohol, which is completely legal. As a criminal attorney, Morris has seen alcohol ruin lives, and says almost every criminal offense is somehow related to some kind of hard drug or alcohol abuse, generally not marijuana. He believes marijuana is something to be embraced.

Morris continues to tackle the many stereotypical and outdated attitudes toward marijuana by representing the industry in a positive and professional manner. In fact, DBusiness Magazine named Cannabis Legal Group the Face of Cannabis Law for 2016 and 2017. Ultimately, it is a great practice that is growing rapidly, and something he thoroughly enjoys. Being well versed in many sectors of law, he came into marijuana law knowing a lot more than he realized, and will continue to teach himself and those around him. This is just the beginning for Barton Morris and the Cannabis Legal Group.

Please visit Cannabis Legal Group’s website for further credentials and information: http://michigan-marijuana-lawyer.com/

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