On April 30, Governor Mike Parson granted 13 pardons and commuted the sentence of an area man.

According to a release, Robert Franklin who has served more than a decade of a 22-year prison sentence for a marijuana crime has had his case commuted.

The governor’s action means Franklin will have the opportunity to face a parole board, which will determine whether the 41-year-old is fit to serve the rest of his sentence on supervised release.

Franklin was arrested in Saline County after he tossed a one-pound brick of marijuana from the window of his vehicle while fleeing state troopers in 2007. A jury found him guilty of possession with intent to distribute. By Missouri law, the judge was mandated to pronounce a minimum 10-year sentence without the possibility of parole for those deemed to be prior and persistent drug offenders.

Pending a parole hearing, Franklin could soon be leaving prison. Citing the prison parole officials, Franklin says he’s been told his earliest possible release date is in July.