Obtained grant of Presidential Clemency for life sentence without parole for marijuana

November 2012

United States v. John Knock: David successfully filed group pardon petition with President Obama in 2012 and obtained Presidential Clemency commuting the sentences of John Knock and 5 other elderly federal inmates each of whom were serving at least one federal life sentence without the opportunity of parole (LWOP) for first time offenders participating in non-violent marijuana distribution conspiracies.

Read David's Petition here: To the President of the United States: Petition for Clemency to Relieve Five Elderly Petitioners From Life Without Parole Sentences for Marijuana.

Read David's March, 2020 Motion to Reduce Sentence Pursuant to "First Step Act" here.

Read article: John Knock: Two Life Sentences for Marijuana.

Read article about John Knock's pardon by President Trump here.

Practice area(s): Constitutional Law, Criminal Defense

David Holland

As Executive Director of Empire State NORML and President of the New York City Cannabis Industry Association, David has been a leading advocate in the cannabis space for over 20 years. He has represented clients in marijuana related proceedings everywhere from traffic court to the United States Supreme Court, and he helped obtain clemency for five elderly prisoners servicing life without parole for marijuana. David also handles complex civil and criminal litigation in other areas including employment, First Amendment, and business.

Case Results

Obtained grant of Presidential Clemency for life sentence without parole for marijuana

David Holland

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