Biden pardons thousands convicted with marijuana possession
President Joe Biden has announced that he is pardoning people with federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana, a decision that could help over 6,500 people.
White House officials stated that the president is making the move to fulfill this campaign promise because efforts in Congress to address the issue have stalled.
While the decision only affects federal convictions – the majority of convictions happen at the state level – Biden’s historic move sends a powerful message on how offenders should be treated in the eyes of the law.
“As I often said during my campaign for president, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana,” Biden said. “Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit.”
President Biden also urged states to pardon those convicted of simple marijuana possession, stating, “Too many lies have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.”
Biden also highlighted the “collateral consequences” of marijuana possession convictions, including being denied employment, housing, and/or educational opportunities.
In addition to this decision, Biden has notably begun talks with the departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to review how marijuana should be scheduled under federal law.
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