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Story of
The First Missouri Cannabis Prisoner
Granted Full Expungement and Released from Incarceration
by Christina Frommer , contributing writer
January 19 , 2023 , is a fabulous day that forever changed Missouri ’ s history and mapped out a new landscape for those who will undoubtedly follow suit . On this date , Adam Mace was the first cannabis prisoner in Missouri ( to the best of our research ) to be granted full expungement and immediate release from incarceration due to Amendment 3 ― recreational , adult use of cannabis !
Let ’ s start with a brief background on Adam Mace , as his case is complicated . In 2007 Mace was arrested in Cass County , MO , at the age of 17 for possessing a few ounces of cannabis . He accepted an SIS probation plea with a five-year backup . Everything was going well with his probation for nearly two years . Then one fateful night in 2009 , Mace was involved in a fatal DUI accident that resulted in the death of a Cass County woman . As the driver of the vehicle , he was charged and ultimately convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections ( DOC ). This , in turn , violated his probation , resulting in a five-year consecutive sentence to his 13 . In short , at the age of 19 , Mace was facing a daunting sentence of 18 years of incarceration .
Here ’ s where it gets a bit tricky . Throughout Mace ’ s time in prison , for some unknown reason , DOC changed his sentencing sequence . They started running his 13 years in the middle of the time he was supposed to be serving for his cannabis probation , which left the remaining time for his cannabis conviction to be completed after he had served the required time for the accident . Mace completed the required 85 % of the 13 years in January 2020 — he then began serving out the remainder of his cannabis sentence from then on , which means , from January 2020 until his release , Mace was solely in custody for the possession of cannabis charge .
While incarcerated , Adam Mace acquired several new skills ; becoming a barber and a licensed dog trainer among others .
had something to do with all the attention his case had received in the weeks leading up to the hearing . Mace had gained the attention of many news networks throughout the state , and his story appeared almost daily on nightly news segments .
At the actual hearing , Mr . Ortiz stood before the judge . He stated his case for only a few minutes about why he believed Mace qualified for judicial relief under this new Constitutional Amendment . The judge asked the prosecutor if she objected , and she said , “ No .” The judge asked the Sheriff if he objected , and he said , “ No .” The judge proceeded to say that he took an oath to uphold the constitution regardless of his personal feelings and GRANTED Mace ’ s expungement and ordered immediate release ! Bing , bang , boom , literally the fastest hearing I have ever been to ! Mace called shortly afterward to see how it went , and it was with great honor Mr . Ortiz shared the wonderful news with him over the speakerphone . The Canna Convict Project ( CCP ), several friends , and media were present for that call . Mace was elated , to say the least !
To our surprise , DOC moved at what felt like lightning speed and had Mace ready for processing and release the very next morning . He called me around 8:30 a . m . and said they told him to get his ride ready . Chris and I quickly flew out the door , practically still in our pajamas , and headed straight for Algoa in Jefferson City to pick him up . Two of his childhood friends did the same and met Mace outside those prison walls for the first time in 14 years !
During his time in DOC , Mace did his very best to make something positive of himself and worked diligently to acquire new skills , becoming a barber , a licensed dog trainer , a “ victims ’ impact ” class instructor , a welder , and eventually a welding tutor . These are skills that he plans to put to good use as a free man .
Then in November 2022 , Amendment 3 , adult-use , was passed , and Mace ’ s wonderful Public Defender , Justin Ortiz , filed an expungement and release motion with his original sentencing court in Cass County . He was quickly granted a hearing before Judge Wagner , the same judge who sentenced Mace all those years ago . Unfortunately , the judge did not grant the request of Mr . Ortiz to bring Mace to the hearing . Just my assumption , but it may have
52 March 2023
Since Mace ’ s release , he has been working full time , renovating his mother ’ s house where he now resides ( sadly , she passed away of cancer during his incarceration ), following up on other job opportunities , reconnecting with family and friends , and doing his very best to reintegrate as a productive member of society . It is hard to wrap my head around it sometimes — that he has not felt freedom since he was a teenager and has already accomplished so many goals in just a