With Election Day approaching in less than six weeks, the country is on the cusp of determining who will become the next President of the United States. However, the incoming president will not officially assume power until Inauguration Day in January 2025. This means that President Biden still has nearly four months to advance his agenda, cement his legacy, and free Edwin Rubis.
Despite receiving thousands of clemency petitions, President Biden has granted clemency to only 150 individuals, resulting in a low 1.4% approval rate on this critical human rights issue. Shockingly, no cannabis-related prisoners have been freed under his administration.
It’s expected that President Biden may issue additional pardons before leaving office. One compelling candidate for clemency is Edwin Rubis, who has shown deep remorse and has reformed after serving 27 years in prison for nonviolent cannabis trafficking offenses dating back to the 1990s.
In a poignant 2021 essay titled One More Casualty From “The War on Drugs”, Rubis wrote, “I’m still confined in a twelve-by-twelve dungeon-looking prison cell, adorned with a metal bunk and a paper-thin mattress. I’m still living with the illusion of reprieve that perhaps one day, someone, someday, somehow, will read my story and do something about it.”
Despite his harsh reality, Edwin Rubis has not lost hope.
Edwin deserves freedom after serving 27 years of a 40-year prison sentence for nonviolent cannabis trafficking charges. His lengthy imprisonment reflects the harsh and outdated punishments from the height of the War on Drugs, when individuals, especially those who are black or brown, were involved in nonviolent drug-related offenses, and were handed extreme sentences that failed to fit the crime.
Today, as society increasingly recognizes the need for criminal justice reform—particularly in cannabis-related cases—Rubis’ continued incarceration stands as a stark reminder of the inequities of the past.
Edwin has demonstrated remarkable remorse and personal reform during his time in prison.
After nearly three decades behind bars, he has shown his potential to re-enter society as a positive and productive member. His sentence, particularly for a nonviolent offense, is now widely seen as excessive and unjust in light of the shifting attitudes toward cannabis legalization across the country.
Many individuals who committed similar offenses are no longer imprisoned, and in some cases, they’re profiting from the legal cannabis industry today.
President Biden has the power to correct this injustice by granting Edwin Rubis clemency. Doing so would not only reunite Rubis with his family but also align with the administration’s broader goals of criminal justice reform. At a time when public opinion overwhelmingly supports releasing nonviolent cannabis offenders, freeing Edwin Rubis would symbolize a crucial step forward in addressing the injustices of the War on Drugs and offering a second chance to someone who has paid more than his fair share of the price.
Now that you know his story, here are ways you can take action to help:
Visit FreedomGrow.org where you can donate to support the release of prisoners like Edwin. You can also sign their petition to President Biden, advocating for clemency for Rubis and others serving time for nonviolent cannabis offenses.
Sign and share the Change.org petition pushing for Rubis’ freedom. We are nearing the 150,000 signature milestone!
Contact the White House directly, addressing your request for clemency to both the administration and the current USDOJ Pardon Attorney, Elizabeth G. Oyer.
Please remember to always be respectful when communicating with the White House or the Department of Justice.
Spread the word and engage with your community, whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues, and encourage them to join the cause.
Use social media to promote #FreeEdwinRubis, and fill comment sections across all platforms to raise awareness.
The harsh truth is that when a new administration takes office in 2025, the issue of clemency for cannabis prisoners is likely to take a backseat on the political agenda.
That’s why President Biden must act swiftly to use the presidential pardon in a way that reflects the views of the 84% of registered voters who support clemency for nonviolent cannabis offenders.
As Bill Levers, co-founder of Beard Bros Media and COO of Freedom Grow, states, “The efforts to free Edwin have, so far, fallen short, but seeing him spend another decade in prison is not an option. Please join us in urging President Biden to grant clemency for Edwin Rubis and let’s bring him home by Christmas.”
For more information, visit Beard Bros Media or contact info@freedomgrow.org.
You can also donate directly to support this cause HERE.
About Edwin Rubis
Edwin Rubis is serving a 40 year sentence in federal prison for conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana. Convicted in 1998 on these nonviolent charges, Edwin has watched from behind bars as states have continued to legalize cannabis for recreational use and reap the benefits.
About Freedom Grow
Freedom Grow is an all-volunteer non-profit 501c3 organization helping cannabis prisoners regain freedom while supporting their sacrifices through ’The Wish Program’ which helps prisoners with commissary money, books, magazines, family outreach, and public education.
About Beard Bros Pharms
Beard Bros Pharms is an award-winning multinational cannabis brand. With over two decades of cannabis production and grassroots advocacy and activism, Beard Bros combines deep legacy cannabis experience with a commitment to quality and justice.
