Sentenced to Life for 40 Tons of Weed: Corvain Cooper’s Fight for Freedom

Corvain Cooper was sentenced to life in prison without parole for conspiracy to distribute 40 tons of cannabis. But even behind bars, he refused to give up hope. As the bookie in prison, he stayed busy, found ways to support his family, and never stopped believing that he would one day be free. In 2021, after years of fighting for justice and an outpouring of public support, he was granted clemency by President Donald Trump.

On this episode of For Good podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with Corvain to unpack his incredible journey from incarceration to co-founding 40 Tons, a Black-owned, justice-focused cannabis brand that’s advocating for equity in the industry. Corvain opens up about the harsh realities of prison, how he adjusted to life after a life sentence, and the ongoing struggles formerly incarcerated people face, even after release.

They also get into:
How Corvain maintained his love life while locked up and the reality of relationships in prison.
Valuable insights on mindset and mental health.
Fatherhood and how they set the bar high for their daughters' future boyfriends.

Links and Resources:
Follow @corvaincooper on Instagram
Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram

Subscribe to the For Good podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to For Good
01:14 Cannabis “Kingpin” Sentenced to Life
03:56 From one ounce to 40 Tons
05:28 Building the 40 Tons Brand
05:57 Breaking Down the Three Strikes Rule
06:37 Granted Clemency by President Trump
07:39 Understanding Conspiracy Charges
09:29 Supporting Families of Incarcerated Individuals
12:52 Creating Opportunities for Black and Brown Cannabis Entrepreneurs
14:57 Stock Trading from Prison: Hustling Behind Bars
16:08 “I Never Believed I’d Die in Jail”
18:12 Parenting from Prison: Staying Connected
19:20 Reclaiming Fatherhood Post Prison
21:19 Setting Standards for Men in Your Daughter’s Life
21:53 Do My Kids Think I’m Cool?
23:46 Holding Onto Faith: Surviving and Thriving
27:58 Maintaining a Romantic Relationship While Incarcerated
30:40 TikTok Influencers Behind Bars: A New Trend
32:19 What’s Next for 40 Tons: Future Projects
35:01 Managing Mental Health by Talking to God