President Joe Biden announced in a press release that he is pardoning thousands of individuals who were convicted for using and possessing marijuana on federal property.
Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people convicted of non-violent drug crimes.
“First, I am commuting the sentences of 11 people who are serving disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug offenses. All of them would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences if they were charged with the same offense today,” Biden said.
“Second, following my pardon of prior federal and D.C. offenses of simple possession of marijuana, I am issuing a Proclamation that will pardon additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law,” he continued. “Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”
No individual 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,” Biden added.
Biden noted that the purpose of the clemencies and reforms is to “advance equal justice, address racial disparities, strengthen public safety, and enhance the wellbeing of all Americans.”
Fox News reported that two of the individuals receiving clemency were charged with the distribution of methamphetamine while nine were convicted on charges relating to the distribution of cocaine.
