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Glass House Brands Inc
Symbol GLAS
Shares Issued 40,250,000
Close 2023-02-03 C$ 2.65
Market Cap C$ 106,662,500
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Glass House congratulates Scarmazzo's prison release

2023-02-06 12:04 ET - News Release

Mr. Kyle Kazan reports

GLASS HOUSE BRANDS CONGRATULATES THE WELDON PROJECT AND MISSION [GREEN] ON THE RELEASE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS PRISONER LUKE SCARMAZZO

Glass House Brands Inc. is extending its wholehearted congratulations to Luke Scarmazzo who was released from prison on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, and to Weldon Angelos, founder of The Weldon Project and Mission [Green]. Immediately upon Mr. Scarmazzo's release, he was able to return home to his family in Modesto, Calif., with logistical and financial assistance from Mission Green and Glass House Brands.

Co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Glass House Brands Kyle Kazan, who is also a Mission [Green] board member, stated: "This is truly a joyous and long overdue day for Luke and his family and also for Weldon who had made getting Luke released a personal mission. The next step is to help Luke restart his life and I'm hopeful that he'll be able to join us in the cannabis industry and of course in advocating for President Biden to pardon the approximately 2,700 cannabis prisoners who are currently incarcerated."

Mr. Kazan further added: "While President Biden's Department of Justice did not help in Luke's release, the opportunity is immediate to do the right thing and live up to his promise to both pardon the prisoners with simple pen strokes and decriminalize this plant. People are still going to prison in the United States and we must end the duality of the law where many profit and others suffer. The majority of Americans want the war on cannabis to end."

In regards to Mr. Scarmazzo, Mr. Kazan stated: "I've already had the pleasure of speaking with Luke and look forward to working directly to assist him. Glass House will continue to be a resource for those in prison to help secure their pardon and release, as well as assisting them to restart their lives. While most of the world might see cannabis prisoners as felons, we see them as a win/win resource for our company and the industry. They deserve the opportunity to profit from the plant."

Mr. Scarmazzo had already served almost 15 years of a 22-year sentence in federal prison for lawfully operating a state-compliant medical cannabis dispensary from 2004 to 2006. On Friday, U.S. District Court judge Dale A. Drozd granted compassionate release to Mr. Scarmazzo. In rendering the ruling, Mr. Drozd wrote the following: "When considering the unique confluence of all of these circumstances -- changes in the legal landscape with respect to federal enforcement of laws relating to distribution of marijuana in California; the significant disparity in the sentence actually served by co-defendant Montes and the 14-plus years already served in prison by defendant Scarmazzo; defendant's good behaviour, meaningful employment, volunteer work, pursuit of educational opportunities during his imprisonment; defendant's solid release plans, including job offers and family support; the lack of danger posed to the community were he to be released; and defendant Scarmazzo's difficult family circumstances that have developed during his imprisonment -- the court is persuaded that the granting of the requested relief is appropriate at this point and is supported by both extraordinary and compelling circumstances and consideration of the sentencing factors set forth at 18 U.S.C. Paragraph 3553(a)."

Weldon Angelos, a former music producer who was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump on Dec. 22, 2020, has been helping with the process and advocating for the release of Mr. Scarmazzo through his non-profit organization, The Weldon Project, and Mission [Green].

"Luke's story is one of the most tragic stories perpetrated by our criminal justice system. He was following state law but treated as a drug kingpin by the federal system. I'm finally relieved that he can go home to his family and have a chance at rebuilding his life after serving 14 years in prison," said Mr. Angelos, president of The Weldon Project, who was incarcerated with Mr. Scarmazzo in Lompoc, Calif., from 2010 until his release in May, 2016. "We've helped a lot of people, but this one is different. Luke is my friend and someone I've been fighting for since we were in prison together seven years ago. Now, Luke has the ability to join us in this fight to free those we have both left behind."

During their time together, Mr. Angelos helped write the clemency petitions for Mr. Scarmazzo and his co-defendant, Ricard Montes. After Mr. Angelos was released, he continued his tireless advocacy for the clemency petitions of Mr. Scarmazzo and Mr. Montes to the Obama administration. Unfortunately, President Obama only granted the Mr. Montes petition but denied that of Mr. Scarmazzo. But today, Mr. Scarmazzo's nightmare is finally over thanks to the court ruling. "What's interesting about the decision in this case is that the judge took into account the policy changes at the federal level in determining that Luke would not be subject to federal prosecution today, which, in the judge's view, constituted extraordinary and compelling circumstances warranting early release," Mr. Angelos added, expressing gratitude to Mr. Scarmazzo's legal team and advocates.

"It has been a privilege to work on Luke's behalf over the past few years," said Kerrie Dent of King & Spalding, who represents Mr. Scarmazzo and filed the compassionate release motion on his behalf. "I have no doubt that Luke will use his freedom as an opportunity not only to work with groups like The Weldon Project to promote social change, but also to mentor young people in his community to ensure that they make good decisions and use their talents in positive ways. Judge Drozd issued a thoughtful, well-reasoned opinion and reached the right result. I believe he made the world a better place by granting Luke's motion for compassionate release."

Prof. Erik Luna, the Amelia D. Lewis professor of constitutional and criminal law at Arizona State University and the founder of the Academy for Justice, described Mr. Drozd's ruling as "well written and judicious, as well as legally correct and morally just." Prof. Luna, who has long followed the Mr. Scarmazzo case and worked with Mr. Angelos on criminal justice reform, said Mr. Drozd was "meticulous in detailing the truly extraordinary and compelling reasons for releasing Luke immediately," which included "the breathtaking overcharging in Luke's case despite his compliance with California law -- the injustice of which is clear to all given the sea change in marijuana law and policy at both the state and federal levels."

Mr. Scarmazzo's case was the first to be highlighted by a cannabis consumer-based round-up program launched by Verano and Mission [Green] last year where Mr. Scarmazzo's story was shared with thousands of consumers across the country.

About Glass House Brands Inc.

Glass House is one of the fastest-growing, vertically integrated cannabis companies in the United States, with a dedicated focus on the California market and building leading, lasting brands to serve consumers across all segments.

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