Case result
Joseph Agrillo
Lawrence, Kansas
State of Kansas vs Joseph Agrillo
Joseph Agrillo is a Kansas cannabis prisoner whose case became a symbol of the harsh consequences of marijuana prohibition in states where cannabis remains illegal.
Key facts
State of Kansas vs Joseph Agrillo
Commutation granted June 2021 · Source: WIBW, June 24, 2021 · Page updated October 2026
Update
Joseph Agrillo was released from Kansas state custody and returned to live with his family on the East Coast, primarily to be with his son, which had been a major reason he originally moved to Kansas. Being a father was his biggest priority; he was released to make up for lost time.
“People like Joseph Agrillo should be reunited with their family, not incarcerated for extended periods, especially for nonviolent cannabis-related offenses.”
The story
Joseph Agrillo is a Kansas cannabis prisoner whose case became a symbol of the harsh consequences of marijuana prohibition in states where cannabis remains illegal.
In 2018, Agrillo was sentenced in Douglas County, Kansas, for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after authorities found approximately 25 grams of cannabis. He received a 54-month (4.5-year) prison sentence, followed by three years of post-release supervision.
Agrillo had previously been a medical cannabis patient in California, but was arrested after relocating to Kansas to spend more time with his son. Advocates argued that his incarceration separated him from his family and highlighted the severe penalties that can still occur for cannabis offenses in prohibition states.
In June 2021, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly granted Agrillo executive clemency in the form of a sentence commutation, allowing him to be released earlier than originally scheduled with the help of our General Counsel Barry Grissom.
A commutation reduces a prison sentence but does not erase the conviction, meaning Agrillo's criminal record still reflects the original offense.
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Page updated October 2026.
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