Pot Lifers

The Ultimate Run-on Sentence

By Justine Sutton

The day after Chelsea Sutula’s cannabis business was raided in November 2016, she experienced a moment of magic. Mutual friend Ellen Komp, of NORML, introduced her to DeeDee Kirkwood, aka the Pot Fairy.

Chelsea Sutula, left, and DeeDee Kirwood.

“Eventually this turned into the Pot Lifer Museum,” says Kirkwood. “Which shone a bright light on those languishing souls serving life sentences for a miracle plant.”

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

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)

Faces of individuals serving life sentences for non-violent cannabis “crimes.”

sespe.org

She says critical components of this work are true belief in your cause and comprehensive knowledge about it.

“So many in our industry have come in without a sense of what it took to lobby our local legislative officials to grant permits,” Sutula says. “Understanding politics and how local governments work has been critical. But also bridge building with other groups that share similar missions.”

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. “

Michael Thompson is the longest held non-violent prisoner in the history of Michigan, where he is serving the 25th year of a life sentence.

“I have been working as his advocate for over five years and we believe his freedom is close at hand,” says Kirkwood. “Medical and recreational cannabis is now legal in his state, and he is imprisoned for possession of three pounds of pot. He will die in prison if we don’t get him free.”

“It’s more timely than ever to call attention to the terrible state of our criminal justice system,” says Sutula. “We are grateful to our partners that have allowed us to raise money for these forgotten victims of the drug war.”

Want to learn more? Visit the following: The Last Prisoner Project, lastprisonerproject.org. Free Michael Thompson, freemichaelthompson.com C S