 There has been a lot of information on the incarceration of WNBA Basketball star Brittney Griner. But while her case is certainly high profile, given her celebrity, and the fact that she is jailed in Russia, she is far from the only American behind bars for cannabis. The numbers are debatable on exactly how many people are currently serving time for non-violent marijuana convictions, but we do know they’re there. And without the fame and the notariety, they are being forgotten.
Issues such as legalization and taxation often take time, but that time is effecting people who are currently sitting in prison, and for many of them, their crimes have been legalized since they were convicted, yet they’re still behind bars. The Mississippi Clarion Ledger reported last year that there were 86 people serving life-without-parole sentences in Mississippi prisons for nonviolent crimes under the state’s habitual offender law. And that’s just one state. One of those people serving a life sentence in Mississippi for a non-violent cananbis crime is Allen Russell. Mr. Russell was convicted of possession of marijuana in an amount greater than 30 grams but less than 250 grams—an offense punishable under Mississippi law by a $3,000 fine, up to three years in prison, or both. Mr. Russell had three prior nonviolent convictions, involving burglary and posession of a firearm, but neither was defined by the state as a violent crime. Despite that, the prosecutors argued that Mr. Russell should be sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. There are groups, such as Equal Justice Initiative, who are working hard to free prisoners such as Allen Russell. But there is room for more work to be done. There are more prisoners who’s crimes need to be expunged. There are more people who need a voice. Telling their stories, advocating for them, and overall bringing awareness to this issue is a step in the right direction. Please contact that Equal Justice Initiative or other justice groups for more information on how you can help: Equal Justice Initiative Comments are closed.
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