President Biden Did Not Grant Clemency for Cannabis Cases as Promised – The 2 Big Lies Last Prisoner Project Is Selling for Democrats

On January 17, 2025, President Biden announced the commutation of sentences for nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses, citing that these individuals were serving disproportionately long sentences due to outdated sentencing laws. In his statement, Biden emphasized that the commutations were granted based on sentencing disparities, not specific advocacy efforts of the Last Prisoner Project (LPP).

The Last Prisoner Project released a press statement on On January 17, 2025 that misleads the public by taking undue credit for the clemency grants, claiming they were responsible for the release of nine individuals who were granted clemency. The truth is that these individuals qualified for commutation solely due to the passage of the First Step Act, which reduced sentencing enhancements that were previously applied in their cases.

LPP’s press release states:

“Throughout the Biden administration, the Last Prisoner Project has tirelessly fought to secure these clemency grants, leading a coalition of advocates, policymakers, and community leaders to demand clemency for those still imprisoned for cannabis-related offenses. This action reflects the culmination of efforts through LPP’s early release programs that provide direct legal representation for these constituents.”

This statement is misleading, as the clemency grants were not specifically targeted at cannabis offenses but rather a broad effort to correct outdated sentencing laws. The individuals listed in the LPP’s announcement had enhancements applied to their sentences that are no longer applicable under the First Step Act, meaning they were eligible for commutation without LPP’s intervention.

The nine individuals released include:

• Kerry Collier, sentenced to 20 years for conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

• Daniel Gallegos, sentenced to 20 years for drug-related offenses.

• Melvin Garland, sentenced to 22 years under sentencing enhancements.

• Albert Madrid, sentenced to life under outdated laws.

• Claudio Martinez Jr., sentenced to 22 years.

• John Newton, sentenced to over 24 years.

• Jose Sepulveda, sentenced to life under prior laws.

• Robert Jason Thomas, sentenced to 20 years for possession and intent to distribute.

• Leonel Villasenor, sentenced to 30 years.

Each of these cases was affected by legislative reforms, not advocacy campaigns. The Last Prisoner Project’s attempt to capitalize on these releases is a disservice to the cannabis reform movement and misleads the public about the Biden administration’s lack of action on true cannabis clemency.

The two big lies being pushed by LPP are:

1. Claiming Credit for Clemency: LPP asserts that their efforts directly resulted in these releases, despite President Biden’s clear statement that these commutations were based on changes in sentencing laws, not individual advocacy.

2. Misrepresenting Cannabis Reform Progress: By falsely presenting these commutations as a victory for cannabis prisoners, LPP distracts from the reality that Biden has not fulfilled his promise to grant clemency specifically for non-violent cannabis offenders.

While LPP continues to claim success, the truth remains that thousands of individuals convicted solely for cannabis offenses remain incarcerated, with no significant action taken to secure their freedom.

It is crucial to hold advocacy groups accountable for their messaging and ensure that the fight for cannabis justice is rooted in truth, not political opportunism. The cannabis community and the inmates inside prison deserve honest representation that prioritizes real change over empty rhetoric.

I have written about the Last Last Prisoner Project before and there blindsided democrat bootlicking with no real results for inmates in prison. https://freedthc.com/jason-ortiz-and-the-last-prisoner…/

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