Two years ago in Garden Valley, Idaho, my life was turned upside down. My name is Angela Marie Gibson, and I am reaching out for help to stop a wrongful persecution against me. My husband and I were arrested for trafficking marijuana, an act we were wrongly accused of. My husband, who was the sole person involved, has bravely owned up to his actions, clarifying that I had no involvement. Despite his admission of guilt and his current serving of a prison sentence with planned parole, I am still facing the threat of imprisonment.

The truth is, my husband was not trafficking marijuana for illegal distribution; he was procuring it solely for personal use to manage his pain and anxiety. He intended to acquire enough to last a year, not knowing that even personal use could lead to such severe consequences in Idaho, where marijuana remains illegal and classified as a schedule 1 substance.

It's crucial to acknowledge the heavy consequences faced by families like ours, caught in the crosshairs of outdated drug laws. In many states across the U.S., the medicinal use of marijuana is recognized and permitted, providing people relief without fear of persecution. Yet, in Idaho, my entire future and freedom hang in the balance because of one ill-fated decision driven by personal health needs.

This situation is not just about justice for my husband and me; it's about challenging the systemic issues surrounding marijuana legislation in Idaho. Lawmakers have an obligation to reconsider these laws in line with scientific and societal advancements regarding the benefits and legal status of marijuana.

I am asking for your support in signing this petition, to advocate for the dismissal of the charges against me. This fight is not just my own but is shared by anyone who believes in fair treatment under the law. Help me correct this injustice and set a precedent for others who may find themselves in similar situations. Since the arrest I have lost so much. My health has declined because of the constant stress. I lost my chance at a great job that I really wanted. My mother who was one of my best friends died unexpectedly, my father in law who was like a real father to me passed away from cancer and my beautiful dog that I was fortunate to have for 15 wonderful years suffered two strokes and I had to make the excruciating decision to have him put down. And the prosecutor still wants to put me in prison. Haven't I lost enough? I have had to endure all of this without my best friend, my husband because he owned up for his mistakes and is serving his time. He's told the authorities countless times that I was not involved and they do not care. I have been in prison for the last 2 years, not literally but emotionally. I've felt bullied by our justice system. The system that is supposed to protect and serve. They feel that I'm a threat to the community. I've never had a felony. I was arrested in 2012 for a DUI which I paid for and even went to rehab. I'm actually a good person, I'm a live in caregiver for an elderly Vietnam veteran who is now my family. Please sign my petition so that maybe this will not happen to someone else. Idaho needs to change the laws because it's ridiculous that Marijuana is a schedule 1 while Methamphetamine and Fentanal are scheduled 2.