Meet Gilberto Valadez, a 46-year-old father serving an astonishing 188-month sentence for a nonviolent cannabis crime. Gilberto, with five children, grapples with the paradox of being incarcerated for an act that is legal in 35 out of the 50 states, reflecting the stark division in the nation's laws.

The weight of 15 years and 8 months behind bars is not lost on Gilberto. In a country where over half of the states have legalized marijuana, he questions the disparities that led to his extended sentence. Despite research showcasing the benefits of marijuana, Gilberto finds himself enduring the hardship of imprisonment, separated from his family and friends.

15 years and 8 months, a significant portion of his life, lost to a system that he believes should evolve. Gilberto calls for legislative change, urging lawmakers to pass laws that make marijuana legal in all 50 states and, consequently, release those incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis offenses. He advocates for the rights of individuals in every state to access marijuana without fear of persecution.

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