Pot Lifers
Cannabis Cares
The Ultimate Run-on Sentence
By Justine Sutton The day after Chelsea Sutula’s cannabis business was “Eventually this turned into the Pot Lifer Museum,” says raided in November 2016, she experienced a moment of Kirkwood. “Which shone a bright light on those languishing magic. Mutual friend Ellen Komp, of NORML, introduced her souls serving life sentences for a miracle plant.” to DeeDee Kirkwood, aka the Pot Fairy. Until recently, the exhibit was on display at Sutula’s Sespe Creek Collective, opened in November 2017 in Ojai. It is one of the only women-run dispensaries in California and the first licensed storefront dispensary in Ventura County. Along with photos and stories of some of the inmates was information about how to help. Kirkwood also makes aprons, handbags, and other items, with all proceeds going into Pot Lifers’ prison accounts so they can make phone calls, send emails, and buy small necessities.
Sutula had just spent a night in jail, an unpleasant ordeal, but was astounded to learn from Kirkwood that there are people serving life sentences in prison for nonviolent cannabis crimes—Pot Lifers. The two joined forces, fueled by a shared passion for cannabis and the Pot Lifer cause.
sespe.org
Chelsea Sutula, left, and DeeDee Kirwood.
Prior to the opening of her retail space, Sutula had been tireless in working for regulation and safe access to cannabis, so activism was not new to her. (Continued on page 11) Summer 2020 Cannabis by the Sea
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