The Justice Department is already issuing pardon certificates to certain marijuana offenders covered by the expanded Proclamation issued by President Joe Biden last month.
On Tuesday, Chris Goldstein, an activist for cannabis reform who was arrested in 2014 over marijuana possession on federal property while protesting against reform, shared the certification that he received from the Office of the Pardon Attorney of the DOJ.
Goldstein’s cannabis case was one of those that were left out from Biden’s initial mass pardon, issued in October 2022. This pardon only covered statutes relating to the simple offense of cannabis possession, under federal law or Washington, D.C. Last month, the newly expanded pardon promulgation of President Obama included possession on federal land as an offense that was eligible for relief.
Today I received my official Presidential Pardon Certificate regarding marijuana possession via email.
Thank you @POTUS pic.twitter.com/PyX9QZrPEG
Chris Goldstein (@freedomisgreen 23 January 2024
Goldstein, speaking to Marijuana Moment, said that when , the pardon attorney’s office, opened its initial pardon application, in March 2023, following Biden’s act of clemency he “applied immediately.” However, after several months he started “wondering about the progress,” before he saw the expanded proclamation that was referenced on his court docket last month and reapplied.
He said: “These pardons were a promise made by President Biden, and they are part of an important first step taken by the White House.” “We hope that from this point on, we can expand justice reforms and release prisoners.”
The pardon is mostly symbolic and signals the administration’s position, that low-level marijuana offenses should not be prosecuted. The pardon does not expunge any records, and people do not have to get the certification. However, it is an official acknowledgment of the relief granted.
Goldstein commented, “I am glad that my certificate was issued in a matter of weeks after the details had been sorted out.” “I hope Congress will pass legislation to expunge records such as mine, and automate the process. The consequences of prohibition are still being felt by millions of Americans. “These low-level pardons need to be followed by larger leaps.”
The pardon attorney’s email to Goldstein stated that the certificate was “proof” of his pardon under the proclamation.
The pardon is a way to be forgiven but still maintain your criminal record. It could be:
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- Remove restrictions on your ability to vote, serve in office or join a jury
- “Relieve you of all penalties, including jail sentences for your charges/convictions”
Fill out the application found on the website of the office if you are affected. You will receive a pardon certificate.
The certificates, while the pardons are effective immediately, are meant to let people know that they have been granted clemency. This could help them avoid any obstacles in housing, employment or education, as well as child custody, caused by a federal conviction.
Biden’s pardons and his ongoing directive to conduct an administrative review of cannabis scheduling under federal laws have been a source of encouragement for advocates. Others have called on the president to go further, noting that pardons did not actually release anyone who was incarcerated for federal marijuana offenses and they fall short of Biden’s promise to decriminalize Cannabis.
The speedy turnaround of pardon certifications following Biden’s expanded actions last month shows that the Justice Department prioritizes the actualization clemency.
Biden stated in a recent statement that “criminal records for marijuana possession and use have created unnecessary barriers to housing, employment and educational opportunities.” Our failed marijuana policy has ruined too many lives. “It’s time to right these wrongs.”
The pardon certification comes at a time when the Drug Enforcement Administration is considering a recommendation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that reschedule marijuana to Schedule III. This recommendation stemmed from a review initiated by Biden in conjunction with his first marijuana clemency decision.
A recent survey revealed that, heading into the election this year, voters’ opinion of President increased by a net of 11 points when they heard about the potential implications of the rescheduling evaluation. This includes a favorable swing of 11 points among young voters aged 18-25. They will be crucial to his reelection campaign.
The DEA has stated that it is the “final authority” on cannabis schedule.
In October, supporters of cannabis reform and legislators who supported Biden’s pardon of mass marijuana and his scheduling directive marked the anniversary of Biden’s pardon by asking him to do more. This included expanding on the relief he had received and explicitly supporting federal legalization.
Biden DOJ Tells Federal Court Not To ‘Disrupt’ Marijuana Rescheduling Decision By Allowing Industry Lawsuit To Proceed
Photo by Mike Latimer.
The post Justice Department Issues Marijuana pardon certificates A Month after Biden’s Expanded Clemency Movement appeared initially on Marijuana Moment.
