Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in Washington

[Eugene]

Earlier DU thread: A Proclamation on Granting Pardon for the Offense of Simple Possession of Marijuana, Attempted Simple Possession of Mari

Related: A Proclamation on Granting Pardon for the Offense of Simple Possession of Marijuana, Attempted Simple Possession of Marijuana, or Use of Marijuana (The White House)

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Source: Associated Press

Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in Washington

BY ZEKE MLLER
Updated 8:17 AM EST, December 22, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system.

Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving what the White House called “disproportionately long” sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

Biden said his actions would help make the “promise of equal justice a reality.”

-snip-

The categorical pardon issued Friday builds on his categorical pardon issued just before the 2022 midterm elections that made thousands convicted of simple possession on federal lands eligible for pardons. The White House said thousands more would be eligible under Friday’s action.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-pardons-clemency-02abde991a05ff7dfa29bfc3c74e9d64

[mitch96]

1. It's about F**k'n time...nt

[MayReasonRule]

2. Reparations Please!

[maxsolomon]

8. For weed possession?

On Federal Lands?

[MayReasonRule]

14. Marijuana Has Never Been A Menace. Reparations For Being Unjustly Imprisoned.

[mountain grammy]

3. Yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!!

I know Obama made a dent, but this is huge and way overdue!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. I hear right wing heads exploding

[Oopsie Daisy]

5. I'm sure there will still be some who loudly proclaim "NOT GOOD ENOUGH!"

Stand by. Just wait. You'll see.

[relayerbob]

6. Already present in the comments to this post.

[Oopsie Daisy]

10. Yes, I see that now. Ugh *

* Ridiculous.

[JohnSJ]

12. Just disgusting. Damn if you do, and damn if you don't. It really gets tiresome.

.

[iluvtennis]

7. Good stuff! n/t

[maxsolomon]

9. There you go, Gen Z

You just don't know how good this Presidency has been.

[dsp3000]

18. Next up. He needs to campaign on decriminalization or legalization to motivate gen z

[SWBTATTReg]

11. And guess who tRUMP pardoned? Fellow crooks and those that had a million bucks to spend...that's why his

son-in-law was spending so much time decided who to pardon, had the deepest pockets, etc. It's funny how quickly he disappeared into the background after his father-in-law's first term. I guess he finally got tired of the endless running around w/ his head off, in trying keep his idiot father-in-law happy. Or, he's living off the proceeds that they all made w/ selling the presidential pardons.

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

13. Decriminalize it completely

Regulate it like beer.

[catbyte]

15. It's time to legalize it on a federal level. It blows my mind that in so many states a person could get

prison time for possessing something I can buy in any area dispensary. It's all so convoluted. For instance, I occasionally watch court proceedings on YouTube (guilty pleasure, lol) and there was a case where a guy bought weed in Beaumont, Texas where it's legal, and got busted for possession when he was out of the city limits and is now facing jail time. It's nuts.

Weed has been legal here in Michigan since we voted to legalize it in 2018 and it hasn't sent us careening in a handbasket to hell. In fact, the tax revenue from the sales is helping the state budget and we've completely thrown out the MIGOP from all State Offices, took control of both houses of the State Legislature, and flipped the majority on the MI Supreme Court to the Democrats. It's probably just a coincidence about the political reversals, but you never know.

[Faux pas]

16. Kickin' with joyful GUSTO

[calimary]

17. Joyfully joining you in that!

Joyfully kicking!