WASHINGTON President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans who were found guilty of “simple possession” of marijuana in federal law. Biden’s administration takes a bold step towards decriminalizing marijuana and eliminating charging practices that are disproportionately affecting people of color.
Biden’s decision also applies to thousands of people who have been convicted of the crime of marijuana possession in his District of Columbia. Biden is also urging governors to grant pardons to those who have been found guilty of marijuana-related offenses within the state that reflect the majority of cases involving marijuana.
Biden via a release claimed the move was a reflection of his belief that “no one should go to jail for just possession of marijuana.”
“Too numerous lives were ruined due to our flawed policy towards the use of marijuana” He added. “It’s time to right this wrong.”
As per the White House, no one is currently in federal prison due to “simple possessing” in the form of marijuana. However, the pardon may aid thousands in overcoming difficulties in renting a house or finding work.
“There are many people with previously had Federal convictions for possession of marijuana, and who might be denied housing, employment or educational possibilities as a result,” he said. “My actions will ease the collateral consequences that come of those convictions.”
The pardon is not applicable to charges for the possession of any other substances, or in connection with the production or possession of marijuana with the intention of distributing. Biden will not pardon non-citizens within U.S. U.S. without legal status at the moment they were arrested.
The Department of Justice is working to create a system for those who have been granted Biden’s pardon to be issued an official certificate of pardon which they can present to prospective employers and other people as they need.
“The Justice Department will expeditiously implement the President’s proclamation which grants pardons to those who engage in the mere use of cannabis, and restores civil, political as well as other rights for those who were convicted of this crime,” the department said in the statement. “In the coming days in the coming days, the Office of the Pardon Attorney will begin to implement a procedure to issue affected individuals documents of pardon.”
Biden is also instructing the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. attorney general to look into the way marijuana is classified according to federal legislation. Rescheduling the drug will decrease or even eliminate the charges for possession. Marijuana has been classified in the category of Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, and is ahead of methamphetamine and fentanyl. There is no time frame for the review. White House did not set any timeframe to review the issue.
However, Biden declared that he believes that while the federal government as well as many states ease their laws on marijuana but they must maintain limits on marketing, trafficking, and sales for minors.
The move Biden places the federal government on the same track as cities like New York that have been making progress toward decriminalizing minor marijuana arrests for many years. There’s a wide difference in the United States since some police agencies believe that the drug can lead to more serious crimes and that the omission of low-level offenses encourages criminals.
It also meets one of the most important goals of Biden, the Democratic candidate for one of the party’s most crucial Senate races, and is a sign that Pennsylvania Lieutenant. Governor. John Fetterman has repeatedly pressed Biden to make the move in the past, most recently when they had a meeting in Pittsburgh.
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