Meet The Man Who Did Prison Time For Non-Violent Cannabis Offense And Now Advocates For Others In The Same Situation

Kyle Page was raised in the predominantly Black neighborhood of Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn though he attended a mostly white high school in New Jersey where he found community through skateboarding and cannabis culture. But his life took a drastic turn when he was arrested at 18 for possessing a small amount of cannabis. This resulted in a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence that put him on a path that eventually led to another six-year sentence in Kansas for a similar offense.

Naturally, as would be the case for anyone, prison was a dehumanizing experience, impacting Page’s self-esteem and family relationships, especially with his daughter. Despite these challenges, Page joined a program once he got out and discovered the Last Prisoner Project (LPP) – a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the injustices caused by the War on Drugs. He was financially supported and assisted by the LPP, which ultimately enabled him to reconnect with his daughter and rebuild his life.

Page’s story, featured in an upcoming documentary “Bar None: Cannabis Redemption” showcases the need to shift the paradigm by ending cannabis criminalization and the resulting injustices it promotes while also inspiring others to join the fight for justice under the law. A Black person is nearly four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person, even though Black and white people use marijuana at similar rates, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

A Sense Of Purpose

As an LPP ambassador, Kyle now champions the release of non-violent cannabis offenders, advocating for social justice at events like the Rock Nation Social Justice Summit and the 420 Unity Day of Action. Page also assists with licenses and volunteers with the LPP. "I don’t care if I sweep floors, as long as I am here healthy, being a part of the advocacy… I feel like I'm doing my work."

As his profile on LPP shows, Page’s journey exemplifies his resilience and transformation.

In this video, Page builds the argument for pardons, which is the central goal of LPP. "We fight for people that are non-violent cannabis offenders who are still locked up… you know there are people that are doing millions of dollars of weed, so why are people still locked up for it?"

The Last Prisoner Project continues to provide crucial support including raising awareness, pushing for legislative changes and helping former prisoners, like Kyle Page. In 2021, the LPP launched a federal clemency campaign to provide comprehensive plans to the Biden Administration for granting relief to those imprisoned for cannabis offenses.

Photo: Screenshot from LPP video, with permission.

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