Biden Issues Pardons for Thousands Convicted of Marijuana Offenses

President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of people who were convicted of the use and simple possession of marijuana and “additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law.”

“America was founded on the principle of equal justice under law. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect this core value that makes our communities safer and stronger. That is why today I am announcing additional steps I am taking to make the promise of equal justice a reality,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

In addition to the pardons, Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving “disproportionately long” sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, including several individuals who have received mandatory life sentences.

According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, a significant 59% of the population feels that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use by adults. Coincidentally, more than half of Americans live in places where recreational marijuana is legal.

Biden is now calling on governors to follow suit with state marijuana-related offenses.

“Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs,” Biden declared. “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. That’s why I continue to urge Governors to do the same with regard to state offenses and applaud those who have since taken action.”

Eligible parties can submit applications to the justice department’s pardon attorney office. If their application is successful, they will be issued a certificate of pardon. The pardon does not apply to those in the U.S. unlawfully at the time of their offense.

Vice President Kamala Harris praised the action.

 “Every American has a fundamental right to equal justice under law. And yet, for too long, far too many people in our country – in particular, people of color – have been denied that fundamental right because of unfair and inequitable drug policies that do not make our communities safer,” said Harris.

The expanded pardon proclamation comes as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reschedule cannabis from a Schedule I (heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), (ecstasy), methaqualone and peyote) to a Schedule III drug (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone.)