420NJEvents Sits Down w/ Corvain Cooper

Corvain Cooper is a Los Angeles man. Someone who loved fashion and worked in a clothing store after he left high school. Arrested in California in January 2013 and charged with conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute marijuana. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2014. The crime was non-violent, and Cooper was arrested alongside dozens of others. None of the others got a life sentence except for Cooper, and many of them were released before him. Due to the 3 strikes law, Corvain was given this harsh sentence.Cooper’s good friend Anthony Alegrete was one of those arrested alongside Cooper, with no strikes against him, Anthony’s sentence was less harsh than Corvain’s. Once he was released, he became one of Cooper’s biggest advocates, fighting his cause while Cooper was still in prison.Cooper was granted clemency by former President Donald Trump hours before he left office. And was released from Federal Prison on the 22nd of January 2021.

Corvain Talks w/ 420NJEvents Co-Founder Brendon Robinson

Corvain spoke to Brendon via Zoom to talk about his release and his plans going forward. The conversation took place from opposite sides of the country, Corvain Cooper was in LA and Brendon in New Jersey. When they sat in their respective homes to have this discussion. New Jersey was in the middle of a snow-storm, and the WIFI was a bit shaky. However, the mood and conversation were sunny, positive, and upbeat - a testament to Corvain’s strength and attitude over the last 7 years of incarceration. Brendon and Corvain talked about Corvain’s experiences, and his plans for the future, and the importance of belief and faith.

‘We put our faith in the justice system and it failed us’

When he was jailed, Corvain did not expect a life sentence. After all, he had committed a non-violent crime. Corvain speaks of "feeling the pain" of his two co-defendants, Evelyn LaChapelle and Natalia Wade. Who were also convicted and spent time-fighting for his release from the streets. Corvain said he felt responsible for their predicament. And throughout the conversation. He reflects on the impact of his sentence, and how it affected those around him.Many of his childhood friends, and guys he hustled with, testified that Corvain was involved in the supply chain. And because conspiracy charges allow prosecutors to charge everyone in the supply operation. Corvain was convicted despite not being involved in marijuana for years prior to his arrest. Poignantly, Corvain states "we put our faith in the system and the system failed us". Corvain wanted to exercise his right to a trial, with faith that the "system" would judge him fairly. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Black people have historically been let down by a system that punishes them disproportionately compared to white people, and Corvain was facing life in prison with no possibility of parole.

"There’s so many people stored away"

What becomes clear during the conversation is that Corvain feels passionate that the system needs to change. And he wants to be instrumental in that change. "There are so many people stored away in prison", he states. As Corvain refused to testify against others, the conspiracy law was used against him. He was threatened with severe charges for conspiracy, and "you can’t beat it (conspiracy law)" he says. The crime of conspiracy has contributed to unfair sentences. And mass incarceration, of people like Corvain and thousands of others, particularly Black Americans. The doctrine of conspiracy is unjust and unsound. NAACP states that conspiracy law has become a weapon in the war against drugs. Which is used against Black people, and Corvain was just another one of the casualties.

“Clemency is like waiting on a lottery ticket’

As Corvain reflected on his time in prison. He made mention of the living conditions and dangerous environment he had to endure on a daily basis. And spent time at USP Pollock, which is a maximum-security federal prison facility in Louisiana. He spent time with inmates serving multiple life sentences. And extended sentences, drug lords, kingpins, and gang members who had "nothing to lose". Cutting the line in the computer queue would result in "eight people getting stabbed…three air-lifted… and a 90-day lockdown" Cooper stated. It was a tough time for Corvain who managed to survive with his faith and positive outlook intact.Even when it was unclear whether Trump would grant him clemency, Corvain remained confident and positive despite. "Waiting on Trump", who at the time, was dealing with election fraud issues, attacks on the capital. And his imminent departure from the White House. Corvain says it was like "waiting on a lottery ticket… Presidents only do these (clemencies) on their way out", so he knew if he did not get clemency this time he would have to wait another four to eight years before he’d have another chance.Momentum and awareness were already building at this point, and many people knew of Corvain’s predicament and supported his release. While he was in prison, Black Entertainment Television (BET) aired a special featuring Corvain called "Smoke: Marijuana + Black America". The documentary was a two-hour special examining the socio-cultural and economic impact of marijuana on the Black community. The documentary was watched by the vast majority of inmates (which is abnormal) and "a lot of love was shown" says Corvain.Corvain said despite not knowing what was going to happen on the day his clemency was announced, he was "still standing on my faith… I leave when Trump leaves.." and he held firm to that belief, even when his name was not on the NPR list. And he saw Trump leaving on a helicopter thinking that it might be game over.We asked him what was it like when he heard he had got clemency? Quietly, he says "We're on lockdown and had just come back from the shower…everybody is screaming and the counselor shows up at the door. And says you got 5 minutes, pack your shit and get off the compound, you got your clemency….".The first thing he did was call his mother. She told him Ivanka Trump called her at 12:30 pm and broke the news that Corvain would be coming home. On his release, the 40 Tons squad was there with camera crews ready. And Corvain made his intentions perfectly clear to us when stated "I knew I had to go straight to work and I ain’t took a break since!"

"Keep fighting, keep putting in their face, DON’T STOP"

So, how did Corvain remain upbeat and positive throughout this entire experience? Corvain credits his faith and his family, especially his mom and grandmother, for his upbeat outlook on life. His faith also helped him to get his mother off drugs in the 80s and made him firm in his belief that he would one day be released. And absolute refusal to accept that he would remain in jail for the rest of his life helped him to visualize his release, and make plans for his future. His message to others in his situation is ‘keep fighting, keep putting in their face, and don’t stop..’.Of course, the impact of incarceration did not only impact Corvain, his family became collateral damage to the system too. During the conversation, Corvain speaks movingly of his two daughters and his remorse for "making dollars….choosing the streets over (them)".Corvain also discusses the irony of being released and seeing huge billboards showcasing people selling cannabis legally. But no billboards showcasing the thousands of people still locked up for an activity that is no longer illegal in many states. Behind bars, Corvain learned about the stock market and witnessed with some bemusement the skyrocketing cannabis stocks. And the fact that millions in stocks and shares were being legally traded while he (and so many others) were still being confined to a jail cell.Corvain knows that there is still a lot of work to do in terms of changing "the narrative" to tell the stories of people who have been negatively impacted by heavy-handed law enforcement policies relating to marijuana.

40 Tons Brand

40 Tons, a social-impact cannabis brand was launched in homage to Corvain and helped to advocate for his freedom. Corvain now wants to use the platform to provide books, guidance, and other essentials to inmates. "There’s so much need in their" Corvain states (referring to prison), thinking back to the inmates he left behind. On the way out of prison, Corvain made it a point to give away his Cartier sunglasses, his gold chain, and any possessions he had. As he reentered society. While he knew he was now free, he knew he would start working immediately on the betterment of those he left behind. People with similar stories to him.Corvain is passionate about restorative justice, and his experience is why he wants to use his platform. And the 40 Tons platform to help inmates still caught up in the system.Corvain talks about coming up with the idea of 40 Tons in prison, and how his friend Loriel ran with the idea and pushed it forward. Loriel, who is the wife of Anthony Algrete, wanted to create a movement that represented the families of the 40,000 inmates behind bars.She wanted to advocate for the mothers, wives, and daughters of those taken off the streets, and empower those who left to pick up the broken pieces to the puzzle. Loriel’s passion for helping these families, coupled with Corvain’s vision for his life post-release, makes the 40 Tons brand what it is today.Corvain is a brand ambassador for the 40 Tons brand, but he’s not involved in the cannabis side of the business. However, he is the owner of the 40 Tons accessory & clothing line, and as someone who has always been interested in fashion and clothes, it’s great to see him working on something he is passionate about. He sees his clothing brand as a way for him to re-enter society and strengthen himself so he can continue to fight the fight for others. You can purchase the clothing by visiting 40 Tons.Please note: Due to the conditions of his parole, Corvain does not and can not hold equity ownership in any cannabis business. Corvain’s participation in the industry remains confined to ancillary business-like 40 Tons clothing and accessories.Corvain also has a GoFundme fund to help him rebuild his life, and enable him to "be able to re-enter society in the correct way". He talks about living in the hood where there have been 8 murders since his release. The lack of financial support for released prisoners means they often have difficulties adjusting to life outside prison, but Corvain is determined to build a meaningful life and what he calls "fully realizing his freedom".Corvain wants to dedicate his time to helping others, and especially those who are released from prison and are faced with hardships and poor credit. He wants to work with 40 Tons to have systems in place which assist people when they get out of prison and get them ready for release, including helping them with sorting their credit records. Corvain is definitely committed to the cause and continues to try and find ways to change the narrative and the lived-in experiences of others like himself who have been the victims of the punitive justice system, which tends to target minority offenders in a disproportionate manner.Doing the interview with Corvain, seeing him and Anthony, and co-defendant Evelyn LaChapelle via Zoom was heart-wrenching. 3 people who could have quite easily turned on one another and/or given up on one another. But they didn’t. Instead, they didn’t fold, despite others testifying against them, they did not cave, and instead, they built stronger friendships and alliances. They channeled their frustrations and put that energy into building a clothing brand based on a true story. A story that made its way from California to New Jersey. A story that resonates with every Black person who has been (and those who continue to be) a victim of heavy-handed law enforcement, and who seek retribution and redemption. There are over 40,000 people currently in prison for marijuana-related charges, despite it now being legal in 30+ states for medical purposes, and 15 states recreationally. Imagine the anguish of languishing in a cell for years convicted of an activity that is no longer deemed to be a crime. While people across the country are making millions from the legalization of this industry. Our country has an unjust and ineffective approach to drug policing, and it’s time for a change.