USA's longest-serving cannabis prisoner released after 31 years in prison

Richard DeLisi, known as the longest-serving prisoner in the United States for a non-violent crime related to the cannabis, was released yesterday from South Bay prison in Florida.

In 1989, he and his brother, Ted Delisi, were sentenced to 90 years in prison: 30 years for cannabis trafficking, 30 for conspiracy to traffic and a further 30 for racketeering, well beyond the recommendations of judicial guidelines. His brother was released in 2014 after appealing the conspiracy conviction.

«In fact, it's 10 times better than marvellous! declared DeLisi, 71. «It was so unfair what they did to me. I just hope I can help other people who are in the same situation.»

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The Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit organization that defends people serving long sentences for non-violent cannabis-related crimes, championed DeLisi's cause and lobbied for his release. The association compiled a 223-page document in August pleading for DeLisi's release and sent it to the office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in addition to a clemency petition filed by DeLisi earlier this year.

Because of his good behavior, Richard's release date had been set for August 26, 2022. Richard DeLisi and his supporters feared, however, that this would be too late, as 342 inmates at the prison had been infected with the coronavirus. Richard DeLisi suffers from arthritis, diabetes, neuropathy, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and uses a walker after back surgery. Lawyers argued that DeLisi should be released as he risked death if he contracted coronavirus in prison.

The Florida Department of Corrections (DoC) stated that outside parties had had no influence on his early release.

In Florida, the Cannabis has been legal for medical use since 2016.