President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Biden, in a statement, said the move reflects his position that “no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.” The pardon does not cover convictions for possession of other drugs, or for charges relating to producing or possessing marijuana with an intent to distribute. Biden is also not pardoning non-citizens who were in the U.S. without legal status at the time of their arrest.
Biden is also directing the secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. attorney general to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, but ahead of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The White House did not set a timeline for the review.
“This is incredibly long overdue,” said Frederique. “There is no reason that people should be saddled with a criminal record — preventing them from obtaining employment, housing, and countless other opportunities — for something that is already legal in 19 states and D.C. and decriminalized in 31 states.”
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden, Florida's DeSantis work 'hand-in-glove' on Hurricane Ian recoveryFORT MYERS — U.S. President Joe Biden met with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday to assess the devastation from Hurricane Ian, and stressed the need…
Read more »
HANSON: An epidemic of cognitive impairment?President Joe Biden, the nominal head of the Democratic Party, is 79. But he increasingly acts and sounds 89.
Read more »
Biden pardons thousands of Americans convicted of 'simple possession' of pot | CBC NewsU.S.President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of 'simple possession' of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of colour.
Read more »
US steps away from flagship lithium project with BerkshireIn a February meeting with mining executives, President Joe Biden laid out an aggressive goal for the United States to produce more of its own minerals for the electric vehicle revolution in ways that respected the environment. A 'big part' of those efforts, the president said, was Berkshire Hathaway's plan to filter lithium from superhot geothermal brines swirling beneath California's Salton Sea, something that had never been done before.
Read more »
T.J. Oshie leaves pre-season game with upper-body injury - Daily FaceoffThe 35-year-old forward took an awkward hit from Detroit Red Wings' Joe Veleno.
Read more »
Biden surveys hurricane-ravaged Fort Myers by helicopterPresident Joe Biden toured hurricane-ravaged areas of Florida on Wednesday, surveying storm damage by helicopter as he pledged that federal, state and local governments will work together to help rebuild homes, businesses and lives - putting politics on mute for now.
Read more »