President Joe Biden is making thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia eligible for pardons, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system.
Quick Read
- President Joe Biden’s Executive Clemency Actions:
- Objective: Address racial disparities in the justice system.
- Pardons: For those convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana.
- Jurisdiction: Federal lands and the District of Columbia.
- Expansion of Previous Pardons:
- Initial Action: Before the 2022 midterm elections, pardons for convictions on federal lands.
- New Addition: Additional offenses included, expanding eligibility for expunging convictions.
- Clemency for Specific Individuals:
- Number: 11 people.
- Reason: Serving disproportionately long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.
- Biden’s Statement:
- Goal: Fulfilling the promise of equal justice.
- Impact: Addressing barriers caused by criminal records for marijuana offenses.
- Practical Implications:
- No Prison Releases: Last year’s action and current action do not free anyone from prison.
- Focus: Overcoming obstacles in housing and employment.
- Marijuana Under Federal Law:
- Status: Decriminalized or legalized in many states, still a controlled substance federally.
- Consideration: Reclassification from Schedule I to Schedule III.
- Eligibility Exclusions:
- Not Covered: Those unlawfully in the U.S. at the time of their offense.
- Application Process:
- Procedure: Eligible individuals can apply to the Justice Department’s pardon attorney office.
- Biden’s Appeal to State and Local Leaders:
- Encouragement: To erase marijuana convictions.
- Stance: No one should be jailed for marijuana use or possession.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden is pardoning thousands convicted of Marijuana charges on federal lands & in Washington
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
President Joe Biden is making thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia eligible for pardons, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system.
The categorical pardon Friday builds on a similar round issued just before the 2022 midterm elections that made thousands convicted of simple possession on federal lands eligible for pardons. Friday’s action adds additional criminal offenses to those eligible for a pardon, making even more people eligible to have their convictions expunged. Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving what the White House called “disproportionately long” sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.
Biden, in a statement, said his actions would help make the “promise of equal justice a reality.”
“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” Biden said. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”
No one was freed from prison under last year’s action, but the pardons were meant to help thousands overcome obstacles to renting a home or finding a job. Similarly, no federal prisoners are eligible for release as a result of Friday’s action.
Biden’s order applies only to marijuana, which has been decriminalized or legalized in many states for some or all uses, but remains a controlled substance under federal law. U.S. regulators are studying reclassifying the drug from the category of drugs deemed to have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” known as “Schedule I,” to the less tightly regulated “Schedule III.”
The pardon also does not apply to those in the U.S. unlawfully at the time of their offense.
Those eligible can submit applications to the Justice Department’s pardon attorney office, which issues certificates of pardon.
Biden on Friday reiterated his call on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.
“Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either,” Biden said.
