About this episode
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: 00:00:00 Welcome to For Good 00:00:59 Cannabis "Kingpin" Sentenced to Life 00:03:41 From One Ounce to 40 Tons 00:05:13 Building the 40 Tons Brand 00:05:42 Breaking Down the Three Strikes Rule 00:06:22 Granted Clemency by President Trump 00:07:24 Understanding Conspiracy Charges 00:09:14 Supporting Families of Incarcerated Individuals 00:12:37 Creating Opportunities for Black and Brown Cannabis Entrepreneurs 00:14:42 Stock Trading from Prison: Hustling Behind Bars 00:15:53 "I Never Believed I'd Die in Jail" 00:17:57 Parenting from Prison: Staying Connected 00:19:05 Reclaiming Fatherhood Post Prison 00:21:04 Setting Standards for Men in Your Daughter's Life 00:21:38 Do My Kids Think I'm Cool? 00:23:31 Holding Onto Faith: Surviving and Thriving 00:27:43 Maintaining a Romantic Relationship While Incarcerated 00:30:25 TikTok Influencers Behind Bars: A New Trend 00:32:04 What's Next for 40 Tons: Future Projects 00:34:46 Managing Mental Health by Talking to God