POW420 ~ Share Your Stories



Thank you, your stories matter!
 We value your stories and appreciate your willingness to share them with us. POW420 uses stories in our education and advocacy work in order to show lawmakers and the general public the human costs of mandatory sentencing laws. No-one belongs in jail for a plant.

POW420 works to put a human face on mandatory sentencing laws through our profiles of people serving unjust marijuana prison sentences. POW420 compiles these stories by communicating with federal and state prisoners and their family members.

Have you been affected , arrested, incarcerated by unjust marijuana laws. T

No one can tell your story better than you can. Don’t be afraid to open up and share how yourself, or your loved one’s incarceration has impacted you and your family. By submitting your story below, you are allowing POW420 to publish your story on our website. 

 


Showing 7 reactions

  • Mel Holmes
    commented 2020-11-04 01:18:33 -0800
    You may remember Daniel Holmes, who was given a 10.5 year sentence and a 23000 Euro fine + costs for growing his own herb. He was released in 2018 and deported back to his homeland of Wales in the UK after spending most of his sentence lockup up on MALTA.


    I thought you may like to know how he is getting on now.


    Good NEWS in bleak times


    Daniel Holmes, a man from South Wales who was arrested in 2006 on Malta with his friend Barry Lee, for growing cannabis for their own use. Daniel then spent 12 years detained on the island, 9 of which were spent in the Corradino Correctional Facility Prison near Valletta. There was no evidence of their intent to deal but at that time in Malta cultivation was automatically classed as trafficking, contrary to EU human rights laws. Daniel and Barry were each charged with crimes that threatened FIVE life sentences and because of this, Barry Lee committed suicide while in custody. The case attracted much Maltese and international attention, and protests were held in Malta and petitions launched demanding Daniel’s release. This did not happen even when the president was asked to reconsider the fairness of the case. Daniel was eventually released in 2018 and deported. He returned to Cardiff where he now lives with his family.


    When in jail, Daniel spent much of his time reading and writing. He recorded his experiences each day and these are now included in his first book entitled “From a Cage on a Rock in a Puddle” which will be launched at this year’s Malta Book Festival that takes place between 11th and 15th November. There is an interview with Daniel scheduled as advertised in this link https://ktieb.org.mt/festival/daniel-holmes-interviewed-by-lovin-malta-founder-christian-peregin/, and more here: https://www.facebook.com/johnathan.cilia/posts/3699820186706206


    The festival will be a virtual event this year due to Covid-19, and information about it will be available at the festival’s website (https://ktieb.org.mt/national-book-festival/) Events will be free to view on the website and can also be watched on their Facebook page at (https://www.facebook.com/NationalBookCouncil/).


    Daniel continues to write, and has already completed other works for future publication, including a poetry book, a book of short stories, a review of his Instagram posts during his incarceration, and a children’s book.


    After so long away from society with no resettlement help from the Maltese system he is gradually getting to grips with social media, though he would prefer to be living off grid.


    If you are interested in finding out more and perhaps arranging an interview with Daniel please email me. his father, at [email protected] or phone 07846640600.


    Kind regards


    Mel Holmes


    Daniel’s website is at https://daholmes.com/


    His Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Daniel-A-Holmes-114008403619869/


    His Instagram page is https://www.instagram.com/daholmes/


    His You Tube feed is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUB4gc-LtOSNI3lVc_Vp_AA?view_as=subscriber
  • Jeremy Harris
    commented 2019-11-28 12:55:12 -0800
    Im serving 144 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute marijuana… I’m currently at Leavenworth u.s.p camp… Inmate number 23704031
  • Scott Conrad
    commented 2017-11-30 05:25:54 -0800
    My name is Scott Conrad , I am currently in a criminal case for manufacturing Marijuana with intent to deliver. My brother was growing medical marijuana legally. He got sentenced to jail. The day he went to jail, he asked me to take down his grow room because his son (9 yes old) and sons mom were going to live there and pay the bills until he gets out , and with no one to take care of the room as well as making sure that everything was safe and so nothing is going to get to hot and burn the house down with my nephew and his mother inside, I also received a call from our Dad the same day that our mom was sick and I need to get to Tennessee ASAP. I left for Tennessee the next day. Mom passed away so me and my family had to drive my mom’s deceased body to Florida to be burried. 2 days after I got back from Florida I went to my brothers house and disassembled his grow room. I was transporting the 2 plants to another caregiver to donate since the plants were not mature and I was still waiting for my card. I was arrested and my bond was set at $50,000, while in jail another guy was arrested for " armed robery, ccw, breaking and entering , as well as 2 other felonies, and his bond was only $25,000 . Now I’m out on bond with condition that I can’t use any medications for my pain , physical and emotional. I’m diagnosed with PTSD, severe clinical depression, bi-polar, anxiety disorder , and panic attack. I also have a steel plate and 6 screws in my wrist, I also have extreme abdominal pain from major surgery for internal bleeding. I don’t use any other drugs or alcohol, especially pills. Although I have a medical marijuana card from the state of Michigan , according to Montcalm county I can’t use anything for my pain. They have taken away my RIGHT to live without pain. I need help! If anyone can help me please contact me either on f/b or call me at 616-477-5693
  • Scott Conrad
    commented 2017-11-30 04:29:30 -0800
  • Leonard Grundy
    commented 2017-11-27 23:05:02 -0800
    Good Day, I hear a rallying call, ParticalMagic is the source, this cool Pyramid embodies the status symbol of a true POT SMOKER.


    Our men and women have fought for our country, they are suffering, we can do something very simple to help them, we can give them a force fighting for them, me and you fighting to make it legal for them to use their marijuana medicine to kill their pain and anguish anywhere in America Legally.


    My Parents always said those black lights and posters and such were for pot heads/smokers. Our Glass Tube Pyramid Glows under the “Black Light”. www.particalmagic.webs.com


    I call for a legal medical marijuana united country where any citizen over age 18 can get a card and purchase, then consume, (1) restriction, no kid’s can be with in 30 feet, $100.00 fine. Smoking in the woods, on sidewalks, legal.


    Show your Solidarity for our idea of a joined Legalized Medical Marijuana- America, where all over 18 can enjoy it’s benefit’s, buy our Pyramid Today.


    ParticalMagic wants to employ 100,000 workers in North Carolina to build your 100 Million Pyramids, because we all are going to buy this Pyramid.


    Subjecting yourself to a dark room a black light and a cool slow spinning Pyramid, you can’t help but get into a relaxing mood. There’s benefits for you. Slower heart rate, sugar relaxes, pain eases, happy feelings enter.


    I have the first Multi-Colored ParticalMagic Pyramid ever made, I still enjoy the relaxing feelings the dark and the glowing reflections give me, even today, you too can enjoy relaxing and show our fellowman you support the movement to legalize “Medical Marijuana” not just for our hurting troops but our suffering fellow citizen, we can be united as one for our own good.


    Let the kids of America have Black Lights and posters and why not a cool Glowing Slowly Spinning Pyramid made of real glass tubing. A relaxed kid being non-confrontational helps make a happy home.


    Show your support for our troops needs, your needs, proudly display, use our ParticalMagic Pyramid, please help ease other peoples pain and help ease your pain at the same time. Buy our Pyramid, stand up for our troops.


    Our governments will listen when we announce our 100th Million Order, legal pot everywhere can be ours, only if you show you want it legal now.


    Rally behind the ParticalMagic Pyramid, use it as your symbol for freedom.

    www.particalmagic.webs.com


    ParticalMagic

    Leonard F. Grundy (980)-309-8763

    2820 Rosemeade Drive. Monroe, NC. 28110
  • Larry Burgess II
    commented 2017-04-29 12:37:10 -0700
    My name is Larry L Burgess II. I live in New Albany Kansas and was arrested last week for using and making my own cannabis oil for my non epileptic seizures.

    I have suffered from these seizures for over 8 years now. I have been using cannabis for my seizures medically since 2014. Cannabis is the only medicine that has lessened my seizures and allowed me to get my life back.

    I was turned in by a member of the community and was served a search warrant with over 10 sheriff’s deputies with AR 15s in a town with less than 60 people.

    An unarmed disabled 40 year old male. I am now having multiple seizures daily now that I can’t medicate myself with cannabis oil capsules.

    If you can help me here is my info:

    [email protected]

    Larry Burgess II

    4103 3rd Street

    New Albany KS 66736

    (816)591-4413
  • james peterson
    commented 2016-08-18 10:05:42 -0700
    im 49 y/o with lifetime schizophrenia. isc (insane since childhood). at 18 I started takeing the government meds. for years I suffered with side effects , the meds never agreed with my body (way too sensitive for meds mostly poison with a little benefit) at 30 my dr tells me to stop any meds – my liver enzymes were high. if I keep taking meds ill need a liver transplant. so I searched for natural treatment for schizophrenia. a wonderful dr of naturopathy recommended cannabis. it helps my 2 worst problems extreme anxiety and sleep disorders. cannabis helped with no side effects AND ITS 100% SAFE. wow say that about government meds.

    so why are the police at war with me over medicine from God ? I have studied the law and want to become a cannabis lawyer GARY GONJA. since my law studies, the police had me in handcuffs 3 times for pot and each time they took the cuffs off and left me alone with my pot. here are the seven felonies cops commit over pot. 1) armed robbery (for even a pot seed). weapon displayed and you fear for your safety. strong arm robbery by police. – to armed rob your property. all police are predators disguised as protectors. and they are at war with you trying to find any legal grounds to kidnap you and take your property so the courts can extort monies $ from you. never let police search your car, home, person -ANYTHING !!!! – remember anything you say can and will be used against you. YOU NEVER ANSWER QUESTIONS !!!! “sorry officer I don’t answer questions. and whenever cops ask you questions you repeat, ’ SORRY OFFICER I DONT ANSWER QUESTIONS.

    me.”officer can I ask you a question – what is marijuana a vegtable or fruit "?

    officer. “I don’t know”

    me. " please take a guess its either one or the other"

    officer. " I don’t know"

    me. " but you bust people for it and commit armed robbery and kidnapping for it."

    officer. ok vegtable"

    me. " wow thank you officer, you have guessed correctly it is a vegtable SO BY YOUR OWN ADMISSION, YOUR BUSTING PEOPLE FOR VEGTABLES NOW ? if they guess fruit it works the same. ill post more of “the seven felonies”