President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law last Thursday.
Biden’s decision is a positive step towards his campaign commitment to decriminalize marijuana.
In recent years, marijuana has become more legalized at the state level.
“Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit,” Biden said in a statement. “Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. And while white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates.”
Over 6,500 lives were impacted for basic marijuana possession with prior convictions, a White House official said. However, this pardon does not apply to illegal aliens in the nation at the time of their arrest.
“Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either,” Biden said.
The pardon does not apply to military members. According to a White House official, Biden’s plan does not apply to the Uniform Code of Military Justice offenses. In short, there is a difference in federal law and military law— in that military law does not translate to the federal law.
Biden is also pushing for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department to change how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.
Currently, Marijuana is a Schedule I substance— meaning that there is a high chance of abuse. Some other drugs in this schedule include, but are not limited to: heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other drugs.
This announcement came just about a month away from midterm elections. As of October 11, 52% of Americans disapprove of the POTUS, according to Reuters.
One in 5 Democrats and 2 in 5 Republicans saw the economy in turmoil. Other issues that are still at the top of Americans’ lists are inflation, abortion rights and increased crime.
Will Biden’s pardon increase his approval?
The Messenger will be covering election season in its entirety, stay tuned.
