State Representative Jeremy Faison lives in Cosby, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. He was elected in 2010 to represent the 11th District, where he is an outspoken advocate for the legalization of medicinal cannabis and (here's our favorite part) a smaller, fairer, and more humane criminal justice system.

As a member of the Republican super-majority in the state legislature, representing Appalachia, you might not expect Rep. Faison to have much in common with a criminal justice reform group from Memphis. You would be wrong. Listen as he makes a passionate case for halting the failed war on drugs, argues for smarter youth sentencing policies, and shares his inspiration for getting into politics. Most of it will surprise you.