The Human Toll: How the War on Cannabis Targeted Black America | Part 3

Produced by Vanity Fair with PAX Labs | Wars cannot be waged on things, they can only be waged on people. This three-part docuseries delves into how U.S. drug policy — and specifically cannabis prohibition — over the last century has been a driver of racial inequality, unjust incarceration, and devastating harm to communities and people of color. In Part Three, we witness Michael Thompson finally being released from prison after serving 25 years for a non-violent cannabis charge. Personal stories from Evelyn LaChapelle and Corvain Cooper, both also previously incarcerated for non-violent cannabis offenses, illustrate the harsh realities of re-entry into society and reveal how the punitive systems in place often have lifelong consequences. Leaders from the Last Prisoner Project, Marijuana Policy Project, and Brookings Institution explain the work that needs to be done to free more people like Thompson, to ensure their success after getting out, and to prevent those incarcerations in the first place. Explore more of this series with PAX Labs: Part One: The War on Race Part Two: Collateral Consequences Part Three: Getting Out *This was shot in accordance with the Covid-19 guidelines set as of the date of filming.