In 2011, Christopher Williams’ Montana state-approved medical marijuana operation was raided by the DEA. Since that time, he has lost everything he cares about, including precious time parenting his teenage son. Chris is now 22 months into a five year prison sentence. His case caught my attention when I watched Code of the West, an excellent documentary about the fight over Montana’s medical marijuana laws.
Federal Cannabis Law Trumps State Law
Because federal law trumps state law, the fact that Chris and his business partners (who by the way included an attorney and the person who wrote Montana’s medical marijuana law) were operating under a state license was not allowed to be entered into evidence. During Chris’ trial and sentencing, federal judge Dana Christensen made clear that the court did not consider him in violation of Montana’s medical marijuana act. He also expressed regret and reservation about having his decision forced by mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.
What has happened in this case and many other non-violent marijuana related cases is unconscionable to me. How is it that murderers, rapist and pedophiles get shorter sentences? The problem lies in our federal cannabis policy, our skewed and illogical social view of the dangers of cannabis and with mandatory minimums. Chris’s business was considered the “gold-standard” in Montana. Instead of taking a plea deal Chris opted to have his day in court. As a result Chris’ sentence is vastly different from his co-defendants. In fact, Chris has been sentenced to more prison time that any other citizen subjected to the federal cannabis raids of 2011.
Support Clemency for Christopher Williams
Originally Chris was looking at life in prison. Because of the incredible amount of media coverage of this trial, federal prosecutors backed off – a little. The “deal” he was made was that he would get 5 years if he agreed not to appeal. Now, his only option for a shorter prison stay is by the mercy of the President. Thus, Chris has applied for Clemency with the Office of the Pardon Attorney via the U.S. Department of Justice. If it passes that hurdle it will be advanced to the President for a decision.
If you feel that Chris has been treated unjustly like I do, please take a moment to write a letter to the Pardon Attorney in support of his request. To make it as easy as possible for people to support Chris in his request for Clemency, we have a downloadable letter here for you to sign, print and put in the mail.
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Chris Williams Clemency letter in Word format |
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Chris Williams Clemency letter in PDF format |
Continued Support for Chris
If you would like to keep up with Chris you can do so through his new Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/freechristopherwilliams. Should you want to help support Chris financially you can find instructions on his Facebook page. Please note that any donations provided through the old Facebook page, via PayPal, is no longer a valid way of supporting him. You can write to Chris directly at Christopher Williams, Federal Prison Camp Unit 6 #8, P.O. Box 6000, Sheridan, O.R. 97378.
To put money on a prisoner’s books you have two options:
- Postal Money Order (yes it must be a POSTAL money order or the Bureau of Prisons won’t accept it) to:
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Christopher Wayne Williams, #11839-046
Post Office Box 474701
Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001 - Western Union and find the link on the bottom of the page “send money to an inmate”
Christopher Wayne Williams #11839-046
FCI SHERIDAN SATELLITE CAMP
P.O. Box 6000
Sheridan, OR 97378
Marijuana POWs
Chris is one of many people serving unjust and absurd sentences for non-violent cannabis offenses all across this country. Their stories will break your heart. Some of them are in prison for life and some of those merely for possession. Check out Cheri Sicard’s monthly Marijuana POW column http://marijuana.com/news/ to learn more about Marijuana POWs and what you can do to help them. Chris William will be profiled in November.
This blog was written by Nishi Whiteley the curator of www.MyChronicRelief.com and the author of the forthcoming book Chronic Relief: A guide to cannabis for the terminally and chronically ill.
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