Biden Pardons All Federal Offenses of Simple Marijuana Possession

What’s the story?

• President Joe Biden issued an executive order pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession.
• The order will pardon more than 6,500 individuals convicted of the offense and thousands more through pardons under D.C. law. 
• Biden called upon governors to follow suit for cases regarding state offenses of civil possession of marijuana. Biden said: 

“Just as no one should be in federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason either…There are thousands of people who were convicted for marijuana possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden on them.”

• Biden asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to “expeditiously” review the classification of marijuana under federal drug laws.
• Biden added: 

“The federal government currently classifies marijuana as a “schedule one” substance, the same as heroin and LSD – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense.” 

Do you support decriminalizing marijuana? 

-Jamie Epstein