Biden's New Stance on Weed: Decriminalization Is Coming, But Waits on the DOJ — What That Means for You

President Joe Biden supports decriminalizing marijuana and expunging past convictions in line with public opinion, but is awaiting the Justice Department's decision on a possible reauthorization of the drug before moving forward with further policy changes.

As April 20 approaches, bringing with it clouds of cannabis celebration, the spotlight is turning unexpectedly presidential. President Joe Biden, who has traditionally been reluctant to fully legalize cannabis, appears to be taking a more progressive stance on marijuana policy in the US. His administration has signaled clear support for marijuana decriminalization, although it is waiting for something more than just the smoke to check with the Department of Justice (DOJ) before making sweeping legal changes.

Biden's approach appears to be a mix of political prudence and a nod to evolving public opinion on cannabis. The White House has expressed that while the President supports the idea of ​​decriminalizing cannabis use and mass expungement of past cannabis convictions, any significant changes or rescheduling of the drug would depend on a thorough review and action by the Justice Department. That means Biden is in favor of curbing pressure on marijuana users and correcting past legal abuses, but he's not quite ready to push for radical reforms.

This measured support could be seen as a cocktail of political acumen coupled with a dash of social consciousness. On the one hand, it is consistent with a broader liberal agenda and public sentiment – ​​majorities in recent polls support at least some form of legalization or decriminalization. On the other hand, not fully embracing legalization avoids the risk of alienating more conservative or undecided voters. Biden's stance could be seen as an attempt to strike a compromise: It's about ensuring that no one gets too burned by federal laws to set themselves on fire, while at the same time not stirring up too much controversy.

What does this mean for everyday Americans and cannabis enthusiasts? First, Biden's support for decriminalization could herald a shift toward more lenient federal policies regarding cannabis use. This could reduce the number of new marijuana-related convictions, a change that would particularly impact communities of color, which have suffered disproportionately harsh sentences in the war on drugs.

However, the pace at which these changes will occur will depend heavily on the DOJ's actions in any potential cannabis rescheduling. The status of cannabis, currently classified alongside drugs such as heroin, represents a major obstacle not only to legal consumption and research, but also to serious policy reform.

As the conversation around cannabis continues to evolve, it is clear that Biden's administration could play a crucial role in shaping America's drug policy. By advocating for decriminalization, Biden may be setting the stage for future reforms and perhaps even planting the seeds for a greener, more equitable approach to cannabis in America. While many ponder the state of cannabis culture and legislation in the US, there's a cautious optimism in the air with this 420 – perhaps mixed with a little smoke.