Biden Pardons Thousands Convicted Of Marijuana Possession

President Biden pardoned thousands of folks today who have been convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law. The pardons would remove a burden that may have prevented some people from receiving employment, housing or educational opportunities. According to Civiqs.com, 69% of registered voters believe cannabis use should be legal. To date, 20 states have legalized recreational marijuana.

From the New York Times:

President Biden on Thursday pardoned all people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law and said his administration would review whether marijuana should still be a Class 1 drug like heroin and LSD.

The pardons will clear about 6,500 people who were convicted on federal charges of simple possession of marijuana from 1992 to 2021 and thousands more who were convicted of possession in the District of Columbia, officials said.

Officials said the president would urge governors to follow his lead for people convicted on state charges of possession.

In December 2020, the House of Representatives voted to decriminalize marijuana, but the legislation never became law.

As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.

Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to lay them out. — President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2022

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

Second: I’m calling on governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses. Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely for possessing marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.

— President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2022

Third: We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense. I’m asking @SecBecerra and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.

— President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2022

I’d also like to note that as federal and state regulations change, we still need important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales of marijuana.

— President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2022

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