The United States (US) President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a pardon for all Americans convicted of marijuana possession under federal law, fulfilling a long-standing demand of supporters just a month before midterm congressional elections.
Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.
Today I announced a pardon of all prior federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana, urged governors to do the same, and asked HHS and DOJ to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 6, 2022
“I am announcing a pardon of all prior federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana,” Biden said in a statement issued both in writing and by video message.
Biden also urged governors to extend the clemency to the far bigger number of people who have run afoul of state laws criminalizing the possession.
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“As I often said during my campaign for president, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.
“Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit,” Biden said.
First: I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2022
He noted that non-white people are disproportionately affected by marijuana convictions, which, in addition to sometimes resulting in jail time, can result in years of legal repercussions, making it difficult to get work and an education.
Officials said that convictions under federal laws affect only about 6,500 people directly. However, Biden’s gesture aims to go much further, encouraging state authorities to follow suit and considering reclassifying it as a less serious controlled substance.
“I am urging all governors to do the same with regard to state offenses. Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either,” Biden said.
The third measure announced was instructing federal health and justice officials to “review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.”
Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states. That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2022
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