December 23rd 2023.
On December 22nd, President Joe Biden took a monumental step forward for criminal justice reform by issuing a proclamation that pardons individuals convicted of marijuana-related charges under federal and D.C. laws. This expands on actions taken by the president in 2022, pardoning those convicted of simple cannabis use and possession on federal lands.
Under the new proclamation, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have committed or been convicted of simple possession, attempted simple possession, or use of marijuana are now eligible for pardons, regardless of whether or not they have been charged or prosecuted. Those with state convictions, charges of possession with intent to distribute, or driving under the influence of marijuana are not included. The order only applies to marijuana, which has been decriminalized or legalized in several states, but is still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.
President Biden is pushing for governors to move on changing their state laws on marijuana, saying, “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.” Vice President Kamala Harris agrees, saying, “No one should be in prison simply for smoking weed.”
In addition to the pardons, Biden granted clemency to 11 people who were serving sentences that he deemed as “disproportionately long” for nonviolent drug offenses. Had they been convicted under recent reforms, their sentences would have been shorter.
The President made it clear that criminal records for marijuana use and possession have caused too many individuals to miss out on educational and employment opportunities. “It’s time that we right these wrongs,” he said.
This proclamation is a huge step forward in the fight for justice and equality, and is a sign of a brighter future ahead.
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