Joe Biden pardons everyone convicted of marijuana possession under federal law

President Joe Biden said that ‘sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives’ (Picture: Getty Images)

President Joe Biden has announced he will pardon thousands of people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law.

Biden’s decision on Thursday represents a first step toward decriminalizing simple marijuana possession.

‘Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states,’ tweeted Biden.

‘That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs.’

Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. Hear from @POTUS on the three steps he is taking to right these wrongs. pic.twitter.com/IqOxHxjgue

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 6, 2022

The pardons will apply to about 6,500 people convicted on federal charges of simple possession of weed from 1992 to 2021, as well as thousands of others with simple possession convictions in the District of Columbia, according to US officials.

Biden directed Attorney General Merrick Garland to develop a process for issuing pardon certificates to eligible US citizens. Such certificates could open employment and housing opportunities to Americans who had been convicted.

The president also plans to encourage governors to pardon people convicted of marijuana possession under state law.

‘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,’ Biden said in another tweet.

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

Biden said that his administration will review whether marijuana should remain a Class 1 drug like LSD and heroin.

He concluded: ‘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.’

Biden’s move is a departure from his prior held views on marijuana.

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

He opposed weed as vice president and in 2010 told ABC News that legalizing it would be ‘a mistake’.

‘I still believe it’s a gateway drug,’ Biden said at the time.

Biden’s decision, which falls short of legalization, comes just over a month before the November midterm elections over seats in the House and Senate.

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