Newly released prisoner Michael Thompson on Jazz Cabbage Cafe

Here’s the episode!

Nationally known ex-cannabis prisoner Michael Thompson of Flint will appear on today’s Jazz Cabbage Café podcast at 4 PM:

Michigan citizens have followed Michael Thompson’s story for a year, including celebrity calls for his release, an impassioned letter from Attorney General Dana Nessel and a granting of clemency from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Michael was released in January and has since spoken out about deplorable conditions within Michigan’s prison system. Thompson is expected to address those concerns during the interview.

Also expected is an update on Michael Thompson’s recent home purchase, made possible by a Go Fund Me account which garnered more than $270,000 from a staggering 8,400 individual donors. Cannabis companies from across Michigan have contributed directly to the fund, to Mr. Thompson himself or to The Redemption Foundation. The Foundation is the creation of Ryan Basore, a Lansing-area native who served more than two years in federal prison on cannabis charges. The Foundation assists those cannabis prisoners still incarcerated and any recently released parolees.

“I believe Michael Thompson’s release is just the start of a new wave of criminal justice reform in Michigan,” Basore said. “He is determined to help change the system, and he has broad support. There are more than 1200 cannabis prisoners in Michigan alone.” Basore will join the Jazz Cabbage broadcast, as will Mike McCurdy (Chair of the Cannabis Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party), the regular Jazz Cabbage crew and a few select guests.

The Redemption Foundation, Cannabis Caucus, the Last Prisoner Project and other state and national organizations helped bring about Mr. Thompson’s clemency. The story has been continuously reported on by Jazz Cabbage. Podcast hosts Jamie Lowell (The Botanical Company, Cannabis Caucus, Michigan ASA, Redemption Foundation Advisor) and Rick Thompson (NORML of Michigan, Cannabis Caucus, Redemption Foundation Advisor, Michigan Cannabis Business Development Group), as well as Basore and McCurdy, were at the prison when Michael Thompson was released at 4am.

“It was a profound moment to watch, as Mr. Thompson walked out of prison into the arms of his daughter,” Lowell reflected. “It was equally intense when he addressed the media before leaving about the urgent need to help others who remain in compromised conditions within the prison.” Thompson served 25 years “unjustly and inappropriately incarcerated,” Lowell added.

The show broadcasts at 4:00pm EST on Tuesday, March 2. Mr. Thompson’s segment is scheduled to begin at approx. 4:30pm. Media can submit questions in advance or participate in the dialog by emailing 4mrick@gmail.com before 3pm on March 2 or joining in the chat during the live broadcast. Other inquiries, please call 586 350-8943 prior to the show.

Tune into the Jazz Cabbage Cafe on Facebook or through their website!

photo: Michael Thompson with grandson Michael Thompson III via mtfree.2021 on Instagram

Here’s a video of Michael’s recent release from prison: