Meet the Marijuana Lifers California’s Prop 64 Could Set Free

California’s Proposition 64—The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA)—is a 62-page manifesto of government over-regulation. But ultimately, as the founder and director of the Marijuana Lifer Project, a non-profit organization that advocates for federal prisoners serving life sentences, I decided to vote yes because the initiative does a lot of good.

Under Prop 64, most marijuana felonies in the state of California will become misdemeanors, and that applies retroactively. This means state marijuana prisoners get an immediate chance at release. But even beyond state prisoners, this law will also help some federal prisoners.
One such inmate is Corvain Cooper, 37, serving a sentence of life without parole (LWOP) for a nonviolent marijuana conspiracy. Two California state priors for marijuana helped prosecutors win that harsh sentence in federal court. However, if Prop 64 passes, Corvain’s prior felonies would become misdemeanors, and he would no longer qualify for a life sentence.

Corvain Cooper prays to be reunited with his family. Prop 64 could help him get out of jail.
“I pray every night for the passage of this law,” Cooper said. “My daughters are depending on it, and I am tired of lying to them about when I am coming home. I want people to understand that their vote can give so many people a second chance at life. It gives me a second chance at life, and gives my daughters a second chance to spend the rest of their lives with their dad.”

Prop 64 will also help medical marijuana provider and federal prisoner Dustin Costa, 70, who has a prior cultivation felony in California on his record. As a marijuana activist, Costa expressed reservations about the initiative, but like me, ultimately came down on the pro side.
“I haven’t read Prop 64, but from what I’ve heard, it is pretty restrictive,” said Costa. “Nevertheless, its passage would legalize a drug that has been maligned for upwards of a century. What that means is that the public will finally have the opportunity for a fact-based learning experience. As for Prop 64 not going far enough, I think a better way to view it is as a pathway to understanding and thus a baby step toward full acceptance. I would vote for it on that basis alone, despite its shortcomings.”

Corvain Cooper and Dustin Costa have vested interests in the passage of Prop 64, but I wondered how other federal marijuana inmates, who would not be directly impacted, felt about activists encouraging people to vote against a legalization bill, regardless of how bad the bill might be.

Paul Free and Corvain Cooper in USP Atwater where they are serving life without parole for nonviolent marijuana offenses.

Paul Free, 66, also serving LWOP in USP Atwater along with Corvain Cooper, believes Prop 64’s passage will hasten prohibition’s end.

“If California—a state that’s the 6th largest economy in the world—legalizes, the feds are going to have to do something,” Free said.

John Knock doesn’t deserve to live his life in a cage for pot.

John Knock, 69, a first time offender sentenced to TWO life sentences for marijuana, echoed those sentiments: “Old hippies tend to think things should be perfect. In politics, that just doesn’t happen. The sooner it is passed the better it will be for all.”

Edwin Rubis, 48, who has already served 18 years of a 40-year sentence, had strong opinions.
“I believe that activists who are willing to wait longer for a better bill are not participating in their call to legalize marijuana,” Rubis said. “Any step is progress and to take a neutral or negative stance only adds to the severity of injustice. Failure to act in the affirmative is to cede that marijuana should remain illegal and thus, those of us incarcerated remain as is.”

Edwin Rubis has already served 18 years in jail for cannabis. Waiting for a perfect initiative is not a luxury he can afford. It was difficult for the prisoners I spoke with, some of whom have been waiting decades for a chance at freedom, to understand how and why the issue of legalizing marijuana has become as contentious to cannabis activists in California as the presidential election is to the general public.

Waiting for perfect bills is simply not a luxury any of these men can afford.
John Knock summed up the perspective well.

“The Union was designed for one state to try something and the rest to learn from that,” he said. “Colorado did it and now it’s time for California to step up, even if it is not perfect. What, if anything, is?” 

Source

Support the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA)

From Let's Get It Right,California:

It's official.

The primary election is over, and that means the next time Californians head to the polls this November, we'll be voting on the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Our campaign is reaching a new phase as we work to end marijuana prohibition once and for all in our state. And we need you to join us.

The campaign is about to speed up in a big way. In just weeks, we'll start knocking on doors, calling voters, and begin fighting for every vote. And more exciting news -- we just launched a brand-new website!

Let's Get It Right California website screenshot

Take a look at our new website today -- and forward this email to your friends and family to make sure they’ve seen it too!

Our new website is going to be the digital hub of our outreach efforts, a home base for new supporters to learn more about the AUMA, and an action center for people who want to get more involved in the campaign.

That's why we need you not only to explore our new website, but to send it along to everyone you know who's voting in the November election.

Since the primary is over, our opponents are only going to kick their attacks on us into higher gear. In fact, they just launched their own deceptive, misleading website to try to sway the public against us -- and we need your support to make sure they don't succeed.

Check out our new website and forward this email to make sure your friends and family are ready to end California’s marijuana prohibition!

I'm excited to get this started.

Brian Brokaw
Campaign Manager
Let's Get It Right California

California is on the edge of saying good bye to a law rooted in racism and embracing legalization that is the gateway to a greater understanding. The only problems associated with marijuana are legal ones. If it weren't for this stupid law there would be no destroyed lives due to police raids and families broken up with children placed in CPS custody. It's time to say good riddance to bad rubbish and say good bye to marijuana prohibition in the Golden State. So if you are a California resident or legally able to vote in California and you are tired of marijuana prohibition in that state you may want to support AUMA.

The facts about AUMA.