Biden is issuing first pardons to those with federal cannabis and drug convictions
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President Joe Biden has finally granted clemency to dozens of people with federal drug-related nonviolent convictions and commuted the sentences of 75 people serving time at home because of the pandemic. He also issued three pardons.
The President’s move marks his first clemency in over a year in the Oval Office. However, according to an official White House press release, only nine of the clemency petitions mentioned cannabis. A mass pardon for people spending time above the plant is pending, much to the disappointment of lawyers and families of those arrested.
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“America is a nation of laws and second chances, redemption and rehabilitation,” Biden said in a statement. “Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates and law enforcement all agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect these core values that enable safer and stronger communities.”
Biden’s move builds on Trump’s decision to enact the bipartisan First Step Act. Many of those who were granted relief “would have received a reduced sentence had they been charged with the same offense today,” Biden acknowledged.
Biden is against recreational marijuana
Meanwhile, Biden remains steadfast in his opposition to legalizing adult-use marijuana, despite active discussions among top lawmakers and officials about his legal status.
What are lawmakers doing to move the envelope?
The House of Representatives approved the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, HR 3617, on April 1 and sent it to the Senate. The MORE Act repeals cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act and allows states to legalize cannabis, its production and sale free from federal interference.
Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) and his colleagues Sens. Cory Booker and Ron Wyden presented the draft Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act (CAOA) in July 2021. They are attempting to submit the sweeping proposal before the August break, after a recent delay.
RELATED: Biden administration dodges marijuana decriminalization Question: Will Joe legalize it?
As lawmakers press President Biden to consider legalizing cannabis, many are speculating as to whether he will give in to the wishes of supporters in his own party and many in the GOP, or whether he will use his veto power to legalize the law of cannabis once it’s on his desk.
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Lawmakers continue to push for the legalization of cannabis
In December, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) urged the President to take unilateral action on cannabis policy.
“Biden now has to lean on his executive powers. He’s been delaying and underusing it so far,” AOC tweeted. “There’s a tremendous amount he can do on climate, student debt, immigration, cannabis, healthcare and more. Time is running out – we have to move and go alternative ways.”
RELATED: Biden unlikely to vote down Senate-approved cannabis legalization bill despite unclear stance
Paul Quirk, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia in Canada, recently said that Biden “would come under heavy pressure to veto” support for cannabis use because he can’t let the younger generation do it of losing voters, Newsweek reported.
“Legalization is supported by two-thirds of all Americans, an even higher percentage of Democrats and the vast majority of younger people. The 18-39 age group is exactly where Biden has lost the most support since his inauguration,” Quirk said.
“Vetoing marijuana legalization would make Biden public enemy #1 for many of the young voters whose support he desperately needs to win back.”
Marsha Cohen, a law professor at UC Hastings, agrees in part with Quirk, although there’s little chance the bill will pass the Senate.
“Young people may be the least responsive to pollsters right now because they may not care. That [bill] could ‘talk’ to them,” Cohen told Newsweek.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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