“Sending people to jail simply for possessing marijuana has affected too many lives.” With these words, President Joe Biden announced that he will pardon all those convicted of marijuana possession in the United States. This decision is at the federal level, however, most sentences occur at the state level. Therefore, the Biden administration will call on governors to join this initiative.
The US President Joe Biden, will pardon all those federally convicted of marijuana possession through executive order.
“Sending people to jail simply for possessing marihuana it has affected too many lives and has led to people being jailed for conduct that is legal in many states,” Biden said in a video announcing the decision.
Two high-level officials of the US Administration explained during a call with journalists that the order will affect only those convicted at the federal level, of which no one is currently in prison simply for possessionalthough Biden will encourage governors to do the same at the state level.
“We estimate that around 6,500 people convicted of marijuana possession at the federal level, and 1,000 people in the District of Columbia, will benefit from this decision”assured an official during the call.
These convictions, in many cases, make it difficult for those affected to access housing or employment.
Most convictions for marijuana possession occur at the state level, so the Democrat’s administration will urge governors across the country to take the same action.
Biden’s policy on marijuana
The announcement is part of a series of executive actions announced by Biden to try to take steps to decriminalize marijuana.one of his electoral promises that, however, has been slowed down by the lack of agreements in Congress.
Biden has therefore decided to speed up the process and launch a series of measures to ease the burden that convictions for possession of marijuana pose for a large part of society, especially the non-white population of the country.
“Despite whites and African Americans using marijuana at similar rates, African Americans have been disproportionately arrested, prosecuted and sentenced” for possessionassured the president in his message.
In addition to pardons, which the Justice Department US must issue to all eligible people, Biden asked Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and Attorney General Merrick Garland to review the federal classification of marijuana as a dangerous substance.
In the US federal criminal justice system, marijuana ranks higher than fentanyla synthetic opioid that is often prescribed by American doctors, and which causes hundreds of deaths every day in the country.
Currently, the recreational use of marijuana is legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia, where the US capital, Washington, is located.
Also, 37 of the 50 states allow the medicinal use of this drug.