The Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) head says that President Joe Biden’s pardon of marijuana for all Black voters last year is an example of his administration delivering “despite” the obstruction from Republicans in Congress.
DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison spoke about a recent White House gathering where he, along with other Black Democrats, discussed how to energize Blacks voters and communicate first-term accomplishments.
Harrison was asked in his interview with MSNBC’s ‘The Sunday Show With Jonathan Capehart’ what the president could say to Black supporters who feel that he has failed on criminal justice promises.
The DNC official – who is himself a strong advocate of cannabis legalization – pointed out that Biden used his executive authority to overcome the political barriers imposed on him by Congress. This included cannabis reform.
“The president does not have a magic wand that makes everything happen.” “He has to get the things through Congress, and we have Republicans who are obstructionists in Congress or we have a Supreme Court that decides to block them as well,” said he. “But this President, despite the Republicans’ attempts to block things, finds a solution.”
He said that “a lot of people got relief” who were arrested for marijuana possessing. He was referring to approximately 6,500 people who had received a pardon from the president over federal marijuana possession crimes in 2013.
Harrison, who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Lindsey Graham(R-SC) in 2020, campaigning to legalize marijuana as a way to promote racial equality — also pointed out executive actions taken by President Obama with regard to student loan relief and other matters.
Biden has repeatedly highlighted his cannabis pardons , including at events aimed at young and Black voters.
“I will keep my promise that nobody–nobody–should go to jail for marijuana possession or use. “God Almighty,” said the president at a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation award ceremony held in September.
Biden’s pardon, however, did not release anyone from prison. It also excluded several groups, such as immigrants and people convicted of cannabis sales.
The presidential pardon was accompanied by an administrative review of marijuana’s federal scheduling. This led to a recommendation made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to move marijuana from Schedule I into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. The Drug Enforcement Administration is currently completing its part of the evaluation before making a decision.
The governors from six U.S. States–Colorado Illinois New York New Jersey Maryland and Louisiana sent Biden a recent letter , urging him to implement marijuana rescheduling before the end of the year.
Colorado Ballot Initiative Allows Marijuana Users to Get Concealed Carry Permits for Guns
The post DNC chairman cites Biden’s mass marijuana pardon as an example of how the president has delivered for black voters first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
