life in prison for cannabis Archives

Jeff Mizanskey is Free

September 1, 2015September 1, 2015

jefffree — Jeff Mizanksey (right), a free man for the first time in 21 years, with his attorney Dan Viets.

After 21 years in prison serving a life sentence without parole for cannabis, Jeff Mizanskey, 61, is now officially a free man.

In 1993, Jeff was charged with thirs third cannabis-related charge, and was sentenced to life without parole as part of the state’s “prior and persistent drug offender”, law which has since been repealed (though the repeal doesn’t take effect until 2017).

In May, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon commuted Jeff sentence after a massive public education campaign by activists, including a petition being submitted to him with over 400,000 signatures – including over 100 lawmakers – asking for Jeff’s freedom.

Missouri Man Serving Life in Prison for Cannabis to be Set Free Tomorrow

August 31, 2015

Jeff Mizanskey, a Missouri man who’s been in prison for over 20 years serving life without parole for a cannabis charge, will be set free tomorrow, September 1st.

Jeff, who was arrested in 1993 on his third non-violent cannabis-related charge, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole as part of the state’s three-strike law, had his sentence commuted by Governor Jay Nixon in May, which led to a parole hearing on August 6th. Officials quickly decided to grant Mizanskey parole after being imprisoned for 21 years. Jeff, who’s 61-years old, will officially walk free from Jefferson City Correctional Center between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Missouri: Jeff Mizanskey’s Going Home on September 1st

August 21, 2015August 21, 2015

Jeff Mizanskey, a 61-year old Missouri man who’s been serving life in prison without parole for cannabis, will be set free on September 1st after more than 20 years in prison.

Jeff, who was arrested in 1993 on his third non-violent cannabis-related charge, had his sentence commuted by Governor Jay Nixon in May. This gave him the ability to have a parole hearing, which he did on August 6th. Although officials expected the decision to take weeks, it took only four days for the parole board to decide to grant Mizanskey parole. According to Dan Viets, Mizanskey’s attorney, he’ll be officially set free on September 1st, 21 years after initially being imprisoned.

Missouri Man Serving Life in Prison for Cannabis Granted Parole

August 11, 2015August 10, 2015

Jeff Mizanskey, a 61-year old Missouri man who has been in prison for over 20 years without parole over a cannabis-related charge, has been granted parole, and will be released from prison within a matter of days.

In May, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon commuted Mizanskey’s sentence, giving him the possibility of parole. This led to a parole hearing on August 6th. Although officials stated that a decision would take six to eight weeks, it only took four days.

Bill to Free Inmates Serving Life in Prison for Cannabis Passes House Committee in Missouri

March 11, 2015March 11, 2015

A bill that would free those serving life in prison for cannabis in Missouri has passed the state’s House Corrections Committee.

The committee approved an amendment adding an emergency clause to the measure, meaning it would take effect immediately upon passage.

Representative Shane Roden was the sole “No” vote on the 12-person committee.