State reps join clemency activists to petition for release of nonviolent federal marijuana prisoners

Former federal marijuana prisoner Weldon Angelos delivers letter to the White House

On Feb. 24, 2020, former federal marijuana prisoner & founder of the Mission Green clemency initiative Weldon Angelos delivered a letter to the White House calling on President Donald J. Trump to pardon or commute the sentences of all nonviolent federal marijuana offenders currently incarcerated.  The letter has been signed by dozens of prominent advocates from professional sports, entertainment, law enforcement, and elected officials.

“When he ran for office, Donald J. Trump pledged to stand for the ‘forgotten American’, and once elected he began delivering on that promise by championing criminal justice reform through the First Step Act and the active use of his clemency power,” said Weldon Angelos. “Now as states continue to move forward on medical & recreational marijuana reforms & Congress begins to seriously consider ending the federal prohibition on marijuana, we call on the President to offer mercy to those incarcerated in federal prison for nonviolent marijuana offenses.”

“There are roughly 11,000 federal prisoners serving time for nonviolent marijuana offenses, some of whom are serving life. With Congress likely deadlocked through the election only President Trump can offer hope to those individuals and their families,” said Missouri State Representative Bryan Spencer (R-63).

    

Spencer is joined by Missouri State Rep. Ron Hicks in signing the letter, as well as several past Missouri state representatives.

Signatories to the letter include former US Attorney for the District of Kansas Barry Grissom, 15 time NBA All-Star & 2008 NBA Champion Kevin Garnett, Actress Alyssa Milano, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, President Trump clemency recipients Alice Johnson and Angela Stanton-King, Van Jones, and 2018 NFL Champion Patrick Robinson.