President Joe Biden called on governors to pardon those convicted of simple marijuana possession under state laws.
President Joe Biden on Thursday announcedanyone convicted solely on federal charges of possessing cannabis, urged governors to do the same for those convicted under state laws, and asked officials to look at removing the federal ban on the drug.
“Because these low-level marijuana offenses are being expunged from individuals’ records, pardons are not necessary,” she said. Biden’s action drew support from New Jersey lawmakers who have dealt with cannabis legislation on the federal level. “By granting pardons to thousands of people convicted on simple federal marijuana possession charges and calling for a review of marijuana classification, President Biden is making a strong statement on the need to address long-term impacts of the war on drugs, and for that, we applaud him,” the two lawmakers said.
In addition to those convicted of federal crimes, millions more could be affected at the state level, said Rep. David Joyce of Ohio, one of the Republican co-chairs of the cannabis caucus. Rep, Barbara Lee, another caucus co-chair who joined Blumenauer on a conference call with reporters following Biden’s announcement, said the review on whether marijuana should remain a Schedule 1 drug like heroin likely will result in ending the federal ban altogether rather than reclassifying cannabis.
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