The Daily Press

Biden pardons thousands for ‘simple possession’ of marijuana

- By Zeke Miller and Chris Megerian

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administra­tion takes a dramatic step toward decriminal­izing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproport­ionately impact people of color.

Biden’s move also covers thousands convicted of the crime in the District of Columbia. He is also calling on governors to issue similar pardons for those convicted of state marijuana offenses, which reflect the vast majority of marijuana possession cases.

Biden, in a statement, said the move reflects his position that “no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.”

“Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana,” he added. “It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

According to the White House, no one is currently in federal prison solely for “simple possession” of the drug, but the pardon could help thousands overcome obstacles to renting a home or finding a job.

“There are thousands of people who have prior Federal conviction­s for marijuana possession, who may be denied employment, housing, or educationa­l opportunit­ies as a result,” he said. “My action will help relieve the collateral consequenc­es arising from these conviction­s.”

The pardon does not cover conviction­s for possession of other drugs, or for charges relating to producing or possessing marijuana with an intent to distribute. Biden is also not pardoning non-citizens who were in the U.S. without legal status at the time of their arrest.

The Department of Justice is working to devise a process for those covered by Biden’s pardon to receive a certificat­e of pardon, which they can show to potential employers and others as needed.

“The Justice Department will expeditiou­sly administer the President’s proclamati­on, which pardons individual­s who engaged in simple possession of marijuana, restoring political, civil, and other rights to those convicted of that offense,” the department said in a statement. “In coming days, the Office of the Pardon Attorney will begin implementi­ng a process to provide impacted individual­s with certificat­es of pardon.”

Biden is also directing the secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. attorney general to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Rescheduli­ng the drug would reduce or potentiall­y eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, but ahead of fentanyl and methamphet­amine. The White House did not set a timeline for the review.

But Biden said he believes that as the federal government and many states ease marijuana laws, they should maintain limitation­s on traffickin­g, marketing and underage sales.

The move by Biden puts the federal government on course with other big cities like New York that have been moving toward decriminal­izing low-level marijuana arrests for years. But there’s a big divide in the nation as some police department­s still believe the drug leads to more serious crime and ignoring low-level offenses emboldens criminals.

The move also fulfills one of the top priorities of the Democratic nominee in one of their party’s most critical Senate races, as Pennsylvan­ia Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has repeatedly pressed Biden to take the step, including last month when they met in Pittsburgh.

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