Deana Martin saw first hand the power of medical cannabis when she was her sister’s medical caretaker. She also saw how it helped her son who struggled with sleep,
migraines and mood issues stemming from concussions he suffered as a wrestler.
She saw people she loved suffering and decided to take action by creating a network of cannabis suppliers for her to deliver medical cannabis to patients in need.
Unfortunately, the U.S. The Federal Government came calling and she was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison.
Deana’s story doesn’t end there. After 4 years, she is now on the cusp of leaving the halfway house she’s been living in as a condition of her probation and ready
to get back to her family and her life. Part of that new life involves a scholarship she received to Oaksterdam University, the world’s first cannabis college with a cross-disciplinary curriculum that covers the most recent developments in cultivation, business,
and policy and is grounded in the legacy of the cannabis legalization movement.
Deana’s scholarship is the first awarded from REEFORM, a cannabis brand by criminal justice reform advocate and music producer Weldon Angelos
dedicated to fighting for the release of those incarcerated for cannabis, helping rebuild lives, and advancing policy reform.
Weldon Angelos served 13 years of a 55 year prison sentence before receiving a pardon in 2020, has been a tireless activist since his release and has been funding
and fighting for social change for those who are still serving prison time for cannabis-related offenses. He created the REEFORM indoor flower brand, in partnership with Glass House Brands,
with the goal of using the brand to “release, rebuild, and reform” the lives of those incarcerated for cannabis offenses by working directly with those individuals to assist in their release as well as help to rebuild their lives by offering scholarships to
Oaksterdam University.
“Deana’s story is one of courage and perseverance. She helped thousands of people in her community at the risk of her freedom,” said Mr. Angelos. “Most people would
walk away with that new found freedom and never want to look at cannabis again. But Deana is doubling down with a vision to have a career in the legal industry. We are honored to be a part of her story.”
Deana will not be allowed to work in the legal cannabis industry for one year, but that is not stopping her from preparing for a career in the industry.
“During her hearing, Deana even impressed even the judge with her business acumen and professionalism,” said an Oaksterdam spokesperson. “By awarding her this scholarship,
we are investing in her future and the future of her community. She is a wonderful example of resilience and dedication, and we are excited to see how she shapes her new future in cannabis.”
“I’m connected to this community. I’ve seen how cannabis can heal and I’m not done helping people,” said Deana. “I’m going to use this amazing opportunity from REEFORM
and Oaksterdam to learn and prepare to contribute to the legal cannabis industry where I can do the most good.”
About REEFORM
REEForm Cannabis was founded by Weldon Angelos, a successful music producer who worked with legends like Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur’s recording group. In 2004,
Weldon was sentenced to 55 years in federal prison for selling roughly $900 of cannabis as a first-time offender.
His cause was championed by prominent celebrities, political figures like Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT), leading news agencies such as the Washington
Post, and even the judge who sentenced him, which led to an early release in 2016 after serving 13 years of his 55-year sentence.
Since his release, Weldon has become a leading activist fighting to reform our criminal justice system and to end the federal ban on cannabis. He advocates for the
release of all cannabis offenders through his Mission Green Initiative and has launched REEFORM Cannabis in partnership with Glass House Brands one of the fastest-growing, vertically integrated cannabis companies in the U.S., with a dedicated focus on the
California market to provide financial support for those still incarcerated for cannabis offenses.
About Oaksterdam
Oaksterdam University is a dynamic, diverse, and responsive academic institute dedicated to educating the global cannabis community, industry, regulators, and government.
Oaksterdam’s mission is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the evolving cannabis industry. We are the only institution of our kind, and we are the most trusted. OU is special because of our years of experience, professionalism,
transparency, accountability, and community involvement.
