Skip to main content

Biden announces pardon of all federal offenses of simple marijuana possession

Joe Biden,Marijuana Legalization,Criminal Justice,Drugs,Public Health,Culture,Federal State And Tribal Powers,Department Of Health And Human Services,Justice Department,Xavier Becerra,Merrick Garland

From the Left

President Joe Biden on Thursday announced he is taking executive action to pardon Americans who've been convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law.

The action will benefit 6,500 people with prior federal convictions and thousands of others charged under the District of Columbia's criminal code, according to senior administration officials.

"No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana," Biden said in a statement outlining the administration's new actions. "Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit."

AllSides Picks

More News about Joe Biden

News from the Left

News from the Center

News from the Right