Biden to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession

[Beachnutt]

cnbc
WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden will pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession, the White House announced Thursday.
snip
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/06/biden-to-pardon-all-prior-federal-offenses-of-simple-marijuana-possession-.html

[Cha]

1. I think that's Good News! nt

[demmiblue]

2. As I've said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.

Link to tweet

As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.

Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to lay them out.

First: I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden.

Second: I’m calling on governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses. Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely for possessing marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.

Third: We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense. I’m asking @SecBecerra and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.

I’d also like to note that as federal and state regulations change, we still need important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales of marijuana.

Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states. That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. My President.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

17. No one is in prison on a federal simple possession charge.

[W_HAMILTON]

23. Thanks to previous actions already taken by the Biden administration:

The CARES Act released certain drug offenders to home confinement due to concern about COVID spread in their facilities and, in 2021, the Biden administration opened up applications to these individuals to receive permanent clemency rather than be forced to return to prison (https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/13/biden-clemency-covid-inmates-511658).

Just a few months ago, the Biden administration granted several pardons and commuted the sentences of dozens of nonviolent drug offenders (https://hightimes.com/news/biden-says-hes-working-on-bill-to-release-cannabis-inmates/).

[Arazi]

3. Now legalize it

[peacebuzzard]

4. long past due...the medical benefits from this plant are ignored

in the interests of big pharma.

[paleotn]

10. This!!!

[Emile]

22. +3

[Johnny2X2X]

5. Well done

Should be all weed crimes including dealing and growing, but I realize that's not politically on the table quite yet.

[calimary]

7. Excellent!

Sure took long enough, though.

Thank you, President Biden! Even just saying the phrase "President Biden" makes me smile. MAN did I under-estimate him! He's paid dividends I never even anticipated. I thought he might be good, certainly better than any Republican, especially that walking, talking orange dick. But I never expected him to be this GREAT.

[soldierant]

8. Andy Borowitz suggests -

"Biden Releases Marijuana Offenders from Prison to Make Room for Trump Administration."
https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/biden-releases-marijuana-offenders-from-prison-to-make-room-for-trump-administration

Even if that wasn't an actual motivator, it's a nice side benefit.

[AntivaxHunters]

9. Legalize it

and who exactly is locked up in federal prisons on simple weed possession charges because from what I'm seeing on Twitter, nobody is. Literally no one. So now I'm very confused by this.

I love where all this is going. I'm in Colorado & I'm a HUGE advocate for weed legalization especially because I use low power edibles & micro-dose with gummies for my pain relief in place of opioids, something which everyone in this country should have.

Legalizing weed is a path towards eradicating the Republican Party out of existence.
So many people would be at the voting booths it would be stupid. People would finally be able to have their health insurance, Medicare, & Medicaid cover something which has never been able to happen. And the people who work in the weed industry would finally be allowed to be given paychecks which they currently are unable to do. Also, the weed industry itself would finally have access to banking.

This is much bigger than what most people realize.

BTW and FYI, this is my dispensary. The Green Solution.

[Joinfortmill]

14. These people, apparently.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/biden-pardon-prior-federal-offenses-simple-marijuana-possession-rcna51088

Biden to pardon thousands convicted of marijuana possession

[WhiskeyGrinder]

18. They're not in prison. But they are carrying federal convictions.

[W_HAMILTON]

24. No one at the moment, thanks to previous actions taken by the Biden administration:

The CARES Act released certain drug offenders to home confinement due to concern about COVID spread in their facilities and, in 2021, the Biden administration opened up applications to these individuals to receive permanent clemency rather than be forced to return to prison (https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/13/biden-clemency-covid-inmates-511658).

Just a few months ago, the Biden administration granted several pardons and commuted the sentences of dozens of nonviolent drug offenders (https://hightimes.com/news/biden-says-hes-working-on-bill-to-release-cannabis-inmates/).

[BlackSkimmer]

11. K and r. nt..

[yardwork]

12. That's a great move. You go Joe!

[Joinfortmill]

13. Good.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

15. Good

[crickets]

16. Great move, Joe! Thank you, Mr. President. 💙

[RocRizzo55]

19. Good start

Now let’s work on those laws.

[keithbvadu2]

21. Is Donnie Trump Jr applying for a coke/meth pardon?