10-6-2022
Biden pardons all prior federal marijuana possession charges, begins process to decriminalize.
President Joe Biden is making critical moves to decriminalize cannabis, most significantly erasing federal prosecutions for simple possession.
“I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession”;
“I’m calling on governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses”;
And “I’m asking Sec Becerra and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.”
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.
First___ I am announcing a pardon of all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana.
I have directed the Attorney General to develop an administrative process for the issuance of certificates of pardon to eligible individuals.
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. My action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions.
Second___ I am urging all Governors to do the same with regard to state offenses. 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.
Third___ I am asking the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to initiate the administrative process to review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.
Federal law currently classifies marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the classification meant for the most dangerous substances.
This is the same schedule as for heroin and LSD, and even higher than the classification of fentanyl and methamphetamine — the drugs that are driving our overdose epidemic.
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