Russ is teaming up with The Wheldon Project to push the “Cannabis Is Not A Crime” campaign. Together, the duo hopes to urge members of the executive branch to initiate sweeping legislation that would pardon those incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses.
“Having a recent cannabis partnership I have to acknowledge that people are serving sentences for cannabis-related offenses. There is a fundamental error in our justice system imprisoning people while others are allowed to profit from the cannabis industry. Recognizing my own privilege as a white male entering into this space, I want to do my part to help those facing these charges get exonerated,” Russ explained.
“With the stroke of his pen, President Biden can fix this problem by granting a general pardon or commutation to those incarcerated for marijuana offenses in the federal system, including Ralo. It’s time to end the racially biased enforcement of cannabis laws,” criminal justice reform advocate Weldon Angelos added.
As Russ explained, this issue hits close to home for many around the country and in the world of music. Currently, Terrell “Ralo” Davis is facing an eight-year sentence in federal prison for a cannabis-related offense. Drake, Meek Mill, Killer Mike, Deion Sanders, Indiana State Senator Eddie Melton and several others have also come together to send a letter to President Biden advocating for Ralo’s release along with others arrested for similar offenses.
“This is an amazing show of support from the hip-hop community. Ralo is incarcerated side by side with countless other victims of the war on drugs — watching CEOs of cannabis companies profiting while he is preparing to be sentenced to years in federal prison. We can’t abide by this double standard; the evidence supports that individuals of color are disproportionately locked up while an industry-led by predominantly white men is booming.” Angelos said.
To get this campaign going, Russ and Angelos have combined their efforts to develop a short PSA addressing the matter. Check out The Wheldon Project’s official website to learn more.
