Man released from prison urges marijuana reform

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A 62-year-old man recently freed from a Missouri prison where he was serving a life sentence on a marijuana-related charge wants supporters to help change marijuana laws.

The Jefferson City News-Tribune reported Jeff Mizanskey told a chapter meeting Monday of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws that Missouri's laws need changing.

Mizanskey was handed a life sentence in 1994 because he had been convicted on drug-related charges three times. Under Missouri's "three strikes" law, he was judged to be a "prior and persistent offender."

But Gov. Jay Nixon commuted Mizanskey's sentence to life with the possibility of parole in May.

His release followed years of lobbying by supporters who argued the sentence was too tough. Lawmakers have eliminated the "three strikes" law as part of the new Criminal Code that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2017.

Secretary of State Jason Kander's office has approved two petitions that propose changes to marijuana laws. A third proposal to permit marijuana for medical use is currently being considered.

Spencer Pearson, vice president of the Mid-Missouri chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the hardest part of getting a proposal to the ballot will be getting people to sign petitions.

Mizanskey said Missourians should urge lawmakers to change the criminal justice system and reduce or eliminate the number of non-violent people in prison. He said his own imprisonment cost taxpayers money that could have been spent better on education or other state needs.