Letter from Weldon Project Pens demanding the release of cannabis prisoners |

A recent advocacy letter, The Weldon Project, was also signed by more than 150 artists, athletes, producers, lawmakers, policy experts, reform advocates, and business, law enforcement, and academia leaders. The letter calls on the President to use his authority to “grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to any person subject to federal criminal or civil enforcement for nonviolent marijuana offenses.”

The Weldon Project is named for its president and co-founder, Weldon Angelos, who built a promising musical career when he was sentenced to 55 years federal prison in 2003 for selling less than $ 1,000 worth of marijuana. Angelos was finally released in 2016 after spending 13 years behind bars. He then founded the Weldon Project to advocate for change and provide support and financial support to those serving prison sentences for cannabis offenses.

In a press release accompanying the letter, Angelos urged the president to keep election promises in support of cannabis reform.

“Candidate Biden has promised to take action and use the presidency’s pardon to release those in jail for marijuana and to pardon their crime convictions,” Angelos said. “At a time when pharmacies are as common as liquor stores in some states, it is time for President Biden to deliver on that promise now.”

Angelos was joined by celebrities including Drake, Killer Mike, Deion Sanders, Al Harrington and Kevin Garnett, who signed the letter calling for an end to the harm caused by the state cannabis ban.

“The harm of incarceration is obvious, but the pain of federal marijuana convictions goes beyond the prison walls and makes it difficult for someone to find a job, access affordable housing and get an education,” the letter said . “A conviction can forever limit an individual’s constitutional rights and make the American dream even more inaccessible to an entire family. Enough is enough. No one should be locked up in federal prison for marijuana. No one should continue to wear the scarlet lettering of a federal conviction for marijuana offenses. “

Cannabis industry supports grace

The letter goes on to say that three-quarters of American states have replaced cannabis bans with safe, regulated access to legal marijuana for medical or recreational use, or both. Kyle Kazan, CEO of vertically integrated California cannabis producer Glass House Brands, said his company “fully supports the Weldon Project’s efforts to redress the damage caused by the misguided war on drugs,” and urged others in the industry to do the same to do.

“Legal companies can no longer stand by and profit from it while individuals like Weldon Angelos suffer the financial and social consequences of imprisonment for selling or using the same substance,” said Kazan.

Angelos’ letter calls on Biden to use his powers under the US Constitution to grant grace for federal criminal convictions. The letter also notes that a full pardon for those convicted of nonviolent marijuana offenses is consistent with the actions of previous presidents of both political parties.

“In 1974 President Ford introduced a conditional pardon program for violations of the Selective Service Act. In 1977, President Carter issued a categorical pardon for all violations of the Selective Service Act, closing the book on a costly and painful war, ”the letter reads.

“President Biden has the power to do the same for the Federal War on Marijuana. Through its act of constitutional grace, a general pardon will send a clear and powerful message that our country is truly on a new course in criminal justice policy and practice. “

Hip-hop artists are joining in

The letter’s signatories included music industry leaders such as Drake, Meek Mill, Lil Baby, Killer Mike, and dozens of hip-hop artists who have joined efforts in support of rapper and friend Ralo, who is currently up to eight Years imprisonment threatens a nonviolent cannabis offense. In a statement, Ralo highlighted the inconsistency in enforcing the federal cannabis ban and reiterated the letter’s pardon.

“I appreciate my friends and colleagues in the hip-hop community, especially Drake, who support my grace because it’s just not right for companies to break federal law and become millionaires while people like me spend years in jail,” said Ralo. “That is hypocrisy. I hope Joe Biden will keep his campaign promise and grant us immediate grace so I can return to my family and community. “