How a father of three found himself facing four decades in federal prison for crimes that could today be considered legal and licensed commerce.
Los Angeles, CA – 56-year old Edwin Rubis has served 27 years of a 40 year federal prison sentence after being convicted on non-violent cannabis related charges in the late 1990s. Cannabis and criminal justice reform advocates are rallying for his release by way of a presidential pardon from the Biden Administration.
Edwin Rubis has spent nearly half of his life incarcerated and has exhausted all available avenues for appeal. Still, he remains faithful for an early release and continues to lend knowledge and guidance to fellow inmates.
Supporters say Edwin’s story of redemption and reform make him an ideal candidate for such an important and consequential decision, but who is Edwin Rubis?
Edwin Rubis was born in El Salvador, one of four siblings. In 1969, when Edwin was just 11 years old, the Rubis family fled the country in the midst of a civil war seeking a better life in Houston, Texas. This is where Edwin attended school from elementary through his high school years.
Just three years after arriving in the United States, Edwin’s parents parted ways, leaving his mother to raise the kids and leading to a drug-fueled path of admittedly poor decision making by Edwin in his formative teenage years.
In an effort to pay off a drug-related debt, Rubis (now in his 20s) got involved with a cannabis distribution ring that was alleged to have moved as much as four tons of cannabis in and out of the state of Texas in the 1990s. The debt repaid, Rubis had severed ties with the criminal world and was working a steady job and raising a family when his life changed forever.
Rubis was 29 years old with one child and another on the way in 1998 when the DEA arrested him and charged him with conspiracy to distribute cannabis. No drugs, guns, or money were found in Edwin’s possession.
With multiple co-defendants taking plea deals and agreeing to testify against one another, Rubis was offered a similar deal by prosecutors. Prepared to plead guilty, but knowing he would be compelled under oath to put his former co-workers in severe legal jeopardy, Rubis refused the plea deal and took his case to trial.
According to Rubis, his attorney failed to properly advise or defend him, having never tried a federal case and refusing to call any witnesses on Edwin’s behalf. With a 98% conviction rate, federal prosecutors painted Rubis as a threat to society, pushing for maximum punishment. Rubis was found guilty and sentenced to 40 years.
In the 27 years he has served so far, Rubis has been an exemplary inmate earning three college degrees and completing 30+ rehabilitation programs. Without government intervention, his earliest release date is not until 2031 when he will be 63 years old.
His parents are in their 80s and Edwin wants to see them again. His three adult children have been deprived of their father’s presence for most of their lives.
Edwin’s hobbies include playing the guitar, playing chess, reading and writing. He stays in shape by playing basketball and soccer, and by trying to eat the most nutritious foods available.
Experiences that Edwin loves that he has not enjoyed for 27 years include going to the beach, hiking and camping, and spending time with his family.
From Edwin Rubis: “I no longer belong in prison. I am not a threat to society. The Bureau of Prisons has categorized me as a low non-violent offender for recidivism purposes. I am a non-violent cannabis offender. I believe in redemption. I am a compassionate and relatable individual who does not judge others by their culture, creed, or religion, but by the intentions of their heart. I am honest and loyal; responsible and accountable. I deserve a second chance at life.”
The call to action remains the same for all of us. We must all use our voices and platforms to convince this current administration to acknowledge Edwin Rubis and his plight and consider the fact that criminal justice reform is not just an election year catch-phrase, it is the only hope for Edwin Rubis and countless other forgotten Americans like him.
Please stay locked in to all Beard Bros Pharms and Beard Bros Media platforms and outlets for updates to this campaign to #FreeEdwinRubis
To learn more about Edwin Rubis or to help advocate for his immediate release, visit https://beardbrospharms.com/media-room-2/edwin-rubis/ or contact:
freedomgrowforever88@gmail.com
You can donate directly to this cause HERE
About Edwin Rubis
Edwin Rubis is serving a 40-year sentence in federal prison for conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana. Convicted in 1998 on these non-violent charges, Edwin has watched from behind bars as states have continued to legalize cannabis for recreational use and reap the benefits.
About Beard Bros Pharms
Beard Bros Pharms is an award-winning multinational cannabis brand. They also provide industry information, insights, and guidance to cannabis professionals and consumers via beardbrospharms.com, their weekly newsletters, and social media presence. With over two decades of cannabis production and grassroots advocacy and activism, Beard Bros combines deep legacy cannabis experience with a commitment to quality and justice.
About Freedom Grow
Freedom Grow is an all-volunteer non-profit 501c3 organization helping cannabis prisoners regain freedom while supporting their sacrifices through ’The Wish Program’. The Wish Program helps prisoners with commissary money, books, magazines, family outreach, and public education.
This news article contains the opinion of Bill Levers and Beard Bros Pharms, and while subjective, the facts of the story do not intend to present false or misleading information on the convicted individual or the legal matter and facts herein.
