Joe Biden, the president of the United States, is once again praising his pardon for marijuana possession that he issued last year. He referred to this act of clemency during a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation award ceremony.
“I will keep my promise. No one should be jailed for marijuana possession or use. God Almighty!” exclaimed the president. “And those in jail will be released, and their records will be expunged.”
Biden’s speech with Black legislators is the latest example in which he proudly promotes the cannabis clemency as part of his criminal reform accomplishments. He overstated the impact of his pardon, which only affected around 6,500 people who have committed federal marijuana crimes and none were released from jail.
There are still around 2,800 people in federal prisons for marijuana convictions, which are not limited to simple possession. The pardon was not extended to a number of groups, such as immigrants or those charged with selling marijuana.
The limited clemency also falls short of Biden’s campaign promise to decriminalize federally marijuana and legalize medicinal cannabis.
The president’s publicity on the cannabis clemency issue does seem to reflect his understanding of its popularity. And the administration has promoted the move in a targeted way that is meant to appeal to youth and communities of colour that are disproportionately affected by criminalization.
The White House cited, for example, Biden’s recent mass pardon and the ongoing federal marijuana schedule review he directed as part of the “Fight for Our Freedom campaign” meant to “mobilize youth” as next year’s elections approach.
In June, Biden celebrated the Juneteenth holiday by releasing a proclamation which promoted his mass pardon for marijuana and scheduling review directive.
In a factsheet released in advance of Biden’s State of the Union speech, the White House also claimed that the pardons of the president could lift social and economical barriers.
In the same month, the President signed a separate executive order on equity in the White House and federal agencies . This order also referred to the previous marijuana pardons .
Biden declared April to be “Second Chance Month”. He also used the document to highlight his marijuana pardons, and the collateral effects of cannabis convictions.
The White House Drug Czar stated in July that the President’s marijuana reform measures last year were part a larger effort to create a cohesive cannabis policy among varying state legalization models.
The Justice Department also began issuing marijuana pardon certificates, to give people documentation that they have received formal forgiveness.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is now conducting its own review before making a final decision. And congressional researchers have said it’s “likely” they will adhere to the HHS recommendation. The Drug Enforcement Administration is currently conducting its own review, before making a decision. And congressional researchers have said that it’s “likely”, they will follow the HHS recommendation.
Two GOP senators have filed new legislation to stop the administration from reclassifying cannabis without tacit consent from Congress.
Biden hasn’t commented personally on HHS’s rescheduling recommendations, but last month the White House Press Secretary said that President Obama has “always” supported legalizing marijuana for medical use.
Biden’s “always” supporting cannabis reform is not true. As a Senator, he championed a number of pieces of legislation which intensified the war on drugs.
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The post God Almighty’, No One Should be In Prison For Marijuana Possession – Biden At Congressional Black Caucus Event first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
