The case of Michigan inmate Michael Thompson is a story of hypocrisy and a broken system.
Thompson has been serving time for selling three pounds of cannabis to an undercover police officer in 1994. Despite no weapons being found on him at the time of his arrest, the judge gave him the maximum sentence possible. Citing his past convictions as justification, Thompson He was given a term of 40-60 years in prison in 1996.
Since his sentencing, things have changed drastically in America. Currently, 2/3 of American’s support cannabis legalization. Cannabis for recreational or medical use has been legalized in more than half of the country. Even cannabis workers were deemed essential during the recent pandemic that shut down the country.
Yet, as we speak, Thompson is still sitting in prison despite the fact that everyone from Kim Kardashian and Shaun King to Michigan’s AG agrees that at this point, he should be granted a release.
But he hasn’t.
Since being denied parole at his last hearing in 2018, Thompson has been sitting behind bars. His first attempt to have his sentence commuted by then Michigan Governor Gary Snyder was denied as well.
It’s good to note that by 2018, the popularity of cannabis in Michigan was through the roof. By the following year, the state itself would vote to legalize adult-use and sale of cannabis.
Yet, Michael Thomson sits behind bars in a Muskeegon Correctional Facility waiting for his chance to go home.
Thompson’s sentence is a reminder of how traumatic minimum sentencing law’s can be. Taking the ability from judges to take a case-by-case approach, leaves people like Michael in a bind. Past crimes included, Thompson was never considered to be a violent offender.
He was sentenced to the maximum time he could be given thanks to his image as a “repeat offender.”
A letter asking for clemency for Thompson, sent from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was sent to now Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Gov. has yet to respond to the letter.
A petition for his release has been signed by more than 140,000 people. Yet, his release from prison on merrit of the case seems bleak.
His only recourse now for release is thanks to the pandemic.
The now 69-year-old Thompson was one of 155 admitted into the Michigan Department of Corrections hospital to be treated for COVID-19. Michael suffers from diabetes.
Meanwhile, from Dec. 1, 2019, through Feb. 29, 2020, Michigan’s 59 recreational retailers sold $31.6 million in recreational marijuana.
For his story to take place in a state that has legalized cannabis adds more insult to the injury.
His freedom is necessary at this point. We can’t be a country that celebrates the ability to freely consume and capitalize on cannabis, while prisoners like Thompson are locked up. Keeping him behind bars is just a new way to protect old values.
Thompson would be 83-years-old if he’s released when his sentence is set to expire in 2038.