Biden pardons all federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana

Enlarge / Morning fog leaves a layer of dew on rows of cannabis in Petrolia, California, on August 3, 2022. Getty | The Washington Post

President Biden announced Thursday that he was pardoning all previous federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana and encouraged state governors to do the same for state offenses. He also asked federal officials to review the classification of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.

“There are thousands of people who have previous federal convictions for possession of marijuana, who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result,” Biden said in a statement. communicated. "My action will help mitigate the collateral consequences arising from these convictions."

This flamboyant announcement means that all charges, convictions and offenses not yet prosecuted will be pardoned. The Ministry of Justice will put in place an administrative procedure allowing the persons concerned to obtain a certificate of pardon.

Senior administration officials estimated that more than 6,500 people would be granted federal pardons and that thousands more people convicted under the code in the District of Columbia would be affected. However, officials noted that there are currently no people in federal prisons solely for simple possession of marijuana. The vast majority of convictions for simple possession of marijuana are state convictions, which will not be affected by federal pardons. That's why Biden called on governors to pardon these charges.

“No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana,” Biden said in a video address announcing the actions.

Generally, Biden called the criminalization of marijuana a “failed approach” and noted that it has disproportionately harmed black and brown communities despite white Americans using marijuana at a similar rate .

As to why Biden was taking these actions now, officials suggested he was keeping his campaign commitments.

The final aspect of today's announcement is that Biden is calling on the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to "promptly" review how marijuana is classified. Currently, marijuana is listed as a “Schedule I” drug, which is the designation for the most dangerous substances, placing marijuana in the ranks of heroin and LSD, and at a higher designation than methamphetamine. and fentanyl. Senior officials said the review will take time and there is currently no timeline or deadline, but should be completed quickly.

“Too many lives have been disrupted because of our failed approach to marijuana,” Biden said. "It's time we righted those wrongs."