How hard is President Biden trying to get cannabis inmates out of jail?

Biden says he’s ‘working on’ bill to free cannabis inmates: should we trust him?

Can the President use his executive powers to free jailed cannabis inmates? Yes! But can we believe President Biden when he says he’s already working on it? We don’t know the answer to that.

The Biden administration has announced multiple times that it is taking steps to pass cannabis reforms; However, they have yet to enact or implement any. So that could be one of the president’s techniques to make it appear as if he’s effecting change. Or who knows, maybe this time he will.

A few days ago, the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, told reporters in Washington that using marijuana is not enough of a reason to be locked up in American prisons. He stressed that no American residents should be behind bars for cannabis use. He mentioned that his team is working on a bill to fulfill one of his campaign promises to free inmates jailed on marijuana-using charges.

Another promise from the President to pass cannabis reforms

After a four-day visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia, Biden made the remarks to a group of media gathered on the White House compound when he returned to Washington, DC

A journalist asked if the President was going through with his campaign plan to release all cannabis offenders in prison. According to a White House pool report, Biden had responded by saying, “I don’t think anyone should be in prison for using marijuana. The President also said his government is already working on the crime bill.

Since he began his tenure last year, Biden’s quick response has been his most detailed and direct comments on marijuana legalization. The President has usually shied away from questions about cannabis. However, that statement is also something Biden has stated repeatedly, most memorable during his 2020 presidential bid. Biden has consistently opposed marijuana incarceration, though he has not fully championed cannabis legalization.

In a notable discussion with The Breakfast Club in Spring 2020, Biden outlined his position on full legalization vs. decriminalization, arguing that going to prison for cannabis use made no logical sense for individuals.

“Because they’re trying to determine whether or not there are many effects of using marijuana, not in terms of making you take other drugs, but in terms of what it does. Whether it has an impact on the long-term development of the brain and we should wait until the research is done,” Biden added, adding that scientific evidence should dictate how this plays out.

Please excuse me

Last November, three Democratic senators wrote a letter to Vice President Biden asking him to pardon all those convicted of nonviolent cannabis charges, whether they are incarcerated or previously incarcerated.

Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley wrote in the letter that although our nation’s marijuana laws need a complete overhaul, the President has the authority to take immediate action. President Biden can and should forgive all federal nonviolent cannabis crimes, deliver on his promise to the American people and improve the lives of millions of citizens, they wrote.

His recent comment, while appreciated, as well as his refusal to directly support cannabis decriminalization has frustrated so many cannabis reform advocates. This has resulted in most of these individuals (Democrats and Republicans) becoming more focused on implementing changes at the state level.

The senators referred to the president’s campaign statement, which indicated that the government should decriminalize marijuana and release all those convicted of marijuana from prison, having their records and criminal records completely erased.

A general pardon is the first and simplest stage of the process. Like previous leaders, the Constitution gives Biden the power to pardon large groups of Americans when grave injustice has occurred.

Biden reduced the sentences of 75 people jailed in May on minor drug offenses and granted three full pardons.

Congressional Democrats strongly support the legalization of marijuana, but that support hasn’t resulted in changes to the current legislation.

Other efforts to pass cannabis reforms

The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would exempt marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act, was approved by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives in April.

Since then, however, legislation has stalled in the Senate, where Democratic leaders have declared their intention to introduce a bill legalizing marijuana.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democrat leader, promised that Congress would introduce cannabis legalization before the August recess and also exempt cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act in April.

However, there are increasing signs that the Senate bill could be much more limited than Schumer anticipated.

Though he’s frequently lobbied for the abolition of federal prohibition, Politico previously reported that Schumer lacks the numbers to pass comprehensive marijuana decriminalization legislation. As a result, Senate Democrats are looking for common ground on marijuana.

In addition to the trio’s letter, Biden has received about a dozen letters urging him to take action against those still being jailed by the federal government for marijuana use by members of Congress, activists, entertainers and those affected by Prohibition.

According to these concerned advocates, the President’s current position is harming thousands of Americans, stifling scientific studies, and denying Americans the right to use medicinal cannabis.

The recently appointed US Parolees Attorney recently spoke about the possibility of a widespread cannabis amnesty. She told Marijuana Moment that while her agency handles cases independently, the President could give her the power to grant broader commutations or pardons.

Biden’s recent comments suggest the print campaign may be poised to produce results, although the timing and exact nature of those results are still unknown.

final remark

Taking executive action to grant mass clemency to all inmates jailed on minor cannabis charges in the United States would not only win the President into the hearts of millions. Still, it would also improve his chances of remaining in power in the next general election. As it stands, the president’s approval ratings are pretty low; the implementation of bipartisan laws would bring him praise.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ON WEED, READ MORE…

WHEN WILL PRESIDENT BIDEN FORGIVE MARIJUANA BELIEFS?

OR..

PRESIDENT BIDEN INCLUDES STAFF WHO ALLOWED CANNABIS USE IN THE PAST!