This inmate has already spent 12 years behind bars for cannabis and recently saw an advertisement for a multi-state cannabis dispensary on TV. He turned to Frank, questioning why he was spending some of the best years of his life in prison while companies in the cannabis industry were thriving publicly.

This inmate has already spent 12 years behind bars for cannabis and recently saw an advertisement for a multi-state cannabis dispensary on TV. He turned to Frank, questioning why he was spending some of the best years of his life in prison while companies in the cannabis industry were thriving publicly.

Prison is an environment that reveals the raw truth of who people really are. In the brutal reality of incarceration, where one finds themselves confined to a concrete dungeon, life and safety are at risk every second of every day. Maintaining a façade is impossible, especially in high-security facilities such as United States Penitentiaries (USPs), where death and violence are a daily occurrence.

Within these harsh conditions, cannabis offenders often form strong bonds with one another, united by their shared experiences. Despite the divisions created by prison politics, cannabis inmates come together for various reasons; one significant factor is their lifestyle. The love of cannabis is a common trait among marijuana traffickers, and this acceptance extends even to the most prominent figures in the cannabis trade.

I can’t help but reflect on a recent phone call I had with inmate Frank Rogers, who is serving 22 years for cannabis. Currently housed at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland, Frank’s projected release date is set for 2030, and he has been incarcerated since 2012. I have gotten to know Frank well through my activism work, and he is one of the core inmates I support.

Frank has experienced various prison environments, starting in a low-security facility before progressing to a medium-high security prison, ultimately landing in a United States Penitentiary where violence is a way of life. Recently, Frank recounted a story about helping another cannabis inmate find some cheer. This inmate has already spent 12 years behind bars for cannabis and recently saw an advertisement for a multi-state cannabis dispensary on TV. He turned to Frank, questioning why he was spending some of the best years of his life in prison while companies in the cannabis industry were thriving publicly.

Frank, a white inmate serving 20 years for cannabis, shared how his mission of  that day was to uplift a African American inmate and inspire hope. He brought the other inmate a flyer from the Last Prisoner Project, discussing organizations fighting for their freedom, telling the inmate about freedom Grow, Mission Green and Weldon Angelos’ work, and talking about the timing of  cannabis rescheduling and once the re-scheduling is implemented that could lead to re-structuring of there Prison sentences, or flat out clemency from president Biden.   Frank’s dedication to instilling hope in his fellow cannabis inmate no matter what race what gang or anything speaks volumes about the bonds formed through the plant of cannabis even in the most challenging circumstances.

Frank’s story embodies the endless possibilities that the cannabis community holds. Comprising some of the most compassionate and empowered individuals in the world, our community thrives on the principles of peace, love, and happiness. It is crucial for us to remember that words must be translated into action. The power of the cannabis community to influence elections and effect policy change is real, and with time, we will be recognized for our impact. For me, the urgency is clear: the sooner we can organize on a larger scale to advocate for the release of cannabis inmates, the better. Together, we can turn our ideals into reality and create meaningful change

Travis Cullen I spent 8 years in prison for cannabis at 21 I now have a legal business selling low dose hemp derived THC edibles