Mary Bailey Leads Last Prisoner Project to Free Cannabis Inmates and Wins 2025 DOPE Award

Mary Bailey, co-founder and managing director of the Last Prisoner Project (LPP), has become a driving force in the fight to free individuals imprisoned for non-violent cannabis offenses. Bailey’s commitment to advocacy is reflected in her tireless schedule, from assisting newly released prisoners to organizing major cannabis industry events such as the Hawaii Cannabis Conference. Her humanitarian ethos and passion for community-building have placed her at the forefront of efforts to address the ongoing injustices faced by cannabis prisoners across the United States

Bailey’s journey into cannabis activism began in Florida during the height of prohibition, where she found herself drawn to the connection between music and cannabis culture. Her early work as a concert promoter and community organizer paved the way for her involvement in the cannabis space, eventually leading her to Hawaii and the launch of the Maui Cannabis Conference. "Stepping into the conference space felt like a natural next move. The goal was to create a space where local entrepreneurs could learn directly from leaders in the industry and build something meaningful of their own," Bailey explained

The pivotal moment in Bailey’s advocacy came after she watched a social media video about a cannabis prisoner, which made her realize how easily she could have been in a similar situation. With encouragement from Maui activist Jeremy Jarvis and collaboration with industry leaders like Andrew and Steve DeAngelo, Bailey helped launch the Last Prisoner Project in 2019. The organization quickly established itself by providing legal and reentry support to incarcerated individuals, helping them secure release and reintegrate into society

LPP’s impact is evident through stories such as Michael Thompson, who was granted commutation after serving 25 years, and Richard DeLisi, once the longest-serving nonviolent cannabis prisoner, who was released after 32 years. Bailey highlighted these successes, stating, “Seeing a former cannabis prisoner truly thrive in their freedom is, without question, the greatest reward of all.” The organization has also supported individuals like Stephanie Shepard, who now serves as LPP’s acting executive director after serving a decade for cannabis-related charges

Bailey’s efforts have recently been recognized with her selection as the first recipient of the 2025 DOPE Award, part of High Times’ relaunch of DOPE Magazine. Despite the honor, Bailey remains focused on the mission, insisting, "It will take all of us working together to achieve our mission of freeing every last cannabis prisoner." She urges anyone benefiting from legalization to support advocacy efforts, whether by signing petitions or writing letters to those still incarcerated. From the perspective of OG Lab, Bailey’s work with LPP is a powerful reminder that the cannabis industry’s progress must include justice for those left behind; as legalization spreads, the push to free remaining prisoners and reunite families will remain a central issue for advocates and industry leaders alike