Biden Pardons Simple Marijuana Convictions
On October 6, 2022, President Joe Biden announced that all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession would be pardoned. The pardons are expected to affect approximately 6,500 offenders who were convicted of federal charges of simple possession of marijuana between 1992 to 2021. While no recipient of a pardon is currently in federal prison for simple possession, the move is anticipated to dramatically assist with employment opportunities and house rentals. Importantly, the pardons do not extend to the production or distribution of marijuana.
With his announcement, President Biden urged all state governors to take the same action. In a video statement, the President said: “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.”
The President has also instructed the Secretary of Health and Human Services as well as the Attorney General to review how marijuana is classified under federal drug laws. Currently, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I Drug, the same as heroin and LSD.
This announcement is a significant step toward decriminalizing marijuana and addressing disproportionate prosecutions based on race.
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