Man who was serving 90-year sentence for distributing marijuana released

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A man who was serving a 90-year sentence for distributing marijuana has a new chance at life.

After serving 31 years, 71-year-old Robert DeLisi was released from prison.

During his stint, DeLisi’s wife, his 23-year-old son, and his parents all died. His adult daughter was in a horrific car accident and suffered a paralyzing stroke as a result. He would also never meet two granddaughters, certainly a lifetime of missed memories.

Yet, 71-year-old DeLisi walked out of a Florida prison grateful and unresentful as he hugged his tearful family.

DeLisi is believed to be the longest-serving nonviolent cannabis prisoner, according to The Last Prisoner Project which championed his release.

DeLisi also finally met his 11-year-old and 1-year-old granddaughters for the first time this week.

“I’m a blessed human being, a survivor,” DeLisi said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.

DeLisi was sentenced to 90 years for marijuana trafficking in 1989 at the age of 40 even though the typical sentence was only 12 to 17 years. He believes he was targeted with the lengthy sentence because the judge mistakenly thought he was part of a crime organization because he was an Italian from New York. DeLisi said he had opportunities, but never had any desire for that life.

DeLisi says he strays away from dwelling on the past, lost memories, and time he’ll never get back. He’s not angry, and instead takes every opportunity to express gratitude and hope.

“Prison changed me. I never really knew who God was and now I know and it changed the way I talk to people and treat people,” said DeLisi, who became a mentor to younger inmates. “For me, being there so long, I was able to take gang members from gangs to gentleman.”