Biden to pardon all federal convictions 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
The White House announced Thursday that President Biden will take action to pardon about 6,500 people convicted federally for marijuana possession and thousands more under DC local law.
He is also ordering federal agencies to consider changing pot’s Schedule I categorization that lumps it together with such drugs as heroin and LSD.
It is one of the largest mass pardons in history and the subsequent federal review could move the country toward national legalization after 19 states and DC moved to allow the recreational use of the drug under local law.
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
DOJ Says Chinese Hackers Targeted US Federal Agencies
August 26th, 2026
Headline Roundup
Meta Agrees to New Facebook, Instagram Limits for Teens in $18 Million Settlement
August 26th, 2026
Bias
Announcing Version 12 of the AllSides Media Bias Chart — See What’s Changed
AllSides
August 25th, 2026
Announcement
The AllSides Student Journalism Award Opens Sept. 1
AllSides Staff
August 24th, 2026
