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Case Result
Chris Duncan | Joplin, Missouri
State of Missouri vs Christoper Duncan
County : Jasper County
Offense: Possession with intent to distribute
Amount : over 35 Grams
Defendant outcome : Plea Deal
Sentence: 15 Years
Admission Year : 2016
Year Released : 2022
Foundation Outcome : Donte West and founder of illicit Gardens Nate Ruby Partnered with UMKC law school professor Sydney Ragsdale to file Mr Duncan Amendment 3 petition, it was granted March of 2023 and His marijuana offense was expunged and his sentence vacated.
Update: Chris Duncan enjoys spending time with his family catching up on lost time near Joplin, Missouri. Chris shared re entry has been difficult due to his family situation.
Christopher Duncan was convicted in Missouri for possession with intent to distribute cannabis. After a parole violation, he was re-sentenced in 2016 to a 15-year prison term .He later became a beneficiary of advocacy efforts by groups like Donte West of Last Prisoner Project . When Missouri legalized adult-use cannabis under Amendment 3 in December 2022, his case was among those highlighted: expungement processes began and over 100,000 convictions were cleared, and constituents including Christopher Duncan were released
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Duncan’s story illustrates the shifting legal and cultural landscape in Missouri:
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He served years of incarceration for cannabis offenses under strict sentencing laws.
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With cannabis legalized, his case represents how expansion of cannabis laws, clemency, and advocacy can transform outcomes for previously incarcerated individuals.
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His release, tied to the broader reform movement, underscores the impact of criminal-justice reform and post-legalization expungement initiatives.
Founder of Illicit Nate Ruby and a UMKC law graduate connected Donte West to UMKC law professor Sydney Ragsdale who brought Chris Duncan to our attention. We decided to speak with elected officials and bring attention to his case as he was eligible under amendment 3 but was lost in the criminal justice system . Chris Duncan eventually was released early from his 15 year prison term in 2016 he was released October 7th 2023 and was provided with a re entry grant from Illicit Gardens.
CASE RESULTS: