Reply #58: My letter for Bernie

[sonias]

Dear President Obama

I write to you today to add my name to the request that you issue a Presidential pardon to Bernard H. Ellis, Jr whose federal Bureau of Prisons number is 16502-075.

Mr Ellis' story is very compelling and I believe he has been punished enough and served his time for the crime of which he was convicted. A crime that was a non-violent crime where no person was hurt. Bernie may have been convicted under our federal marijuana drug laws, but I feel very strongly that he himself was a victim of our horrible war on drugs.

Mr. Ellis never sold any of the marijuana that he grew and he helped sick and dying human beings in need of medical marijuana. His crime was performed to alleviate suffering. Suffering that was unnecessary. Our broken medical system does not allow patients to legally obtain the one drug, medical marijuana, that will actually help them.

I think it is time that we reconsider our policy in the drug war and make sure we have safeguards in place to allow cases that obviously do not fit the "drug dealer" profile other punishment alternatives. Our current drug policies break families apart and destroy local communities.

I urge you to use your power of pardon on a most worthy individual. Mr. Ellis has exemplary references from his local community and he has many, many friends throughout the country that stand with him in his courageous stance. Mr. Ellis has been an upstanding contributing member of his community and he can return to that status with this pardon.

I am proud to call Bernie my friend and I sincerely hope you and your staff will give his plea for a Presidential pardon your full attention.

Sincerly,
Sonia.....

:kick: and a :grouphug: for Bernie!