George Martorano has a life story movies are made from. He was not only one of the longest serving, non-violent, first time offenders to be incarcerated in America; he was the first non-violent, first time offender to receive a federal sentence of life without parole. George admits involvement in a drug smuggling operation he was pegged as the ringleader of, but believes the outrageous sentence imposed, and the inhumane five years of solitary confinement he endured, was a consequence for not providing the FBI with information they wanted on the Philadelphia mob with which his father was suspected to be involved with. George maintains he was never privied to information nor involved in his father's business dealings. Following the advice of a corrupt attorney, George plead guilty with the expectation of serving around 3-5 years, the federal sentencing board recommendation. The judge had other ideas and sentenced George to life without parole for drug related crimes.
During his time in prison George endured and witnessed violence and suffering that has often hardened the heart of many in his situation. Prison is a place of sadness, loneliness, and despair. George could not wallow in that mind set. Instead, George sought out ways he could help
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Thus began his vision, “Cannabis for Guns.” George believes a program that allows citizens to exchange their legal or illegal gun for a small amount legal cannabis could be very effective in reducing violence. The normalization of adult cannabis use through programs like this is a possible side effect the cannabis industry has been striving for. This program could unite people from what seem to be two sides of a coin. Imagine a world where the police reward people with pot and (at least in this instant) not