President Biden To Pardon Everyone Convicted On Federal Marijuana Possession Charges

Joe Biden

President Biden To Pardon Everyone Convicted On Federal Marijuana Possession Charges

Looks like President Biden is putting in extra work to secure a second term.

According to reports, President Biden announced today (Oct. 6) that he will pardon all individuals convicted on federal marijuana possession charges. Reportedly, the White House estimates this will affect more than 6,500 people.

While speaking on his latest decision, President Biden said,

“As I said when I ran for President, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.”

He continued,

“First: I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden.”

“Third: We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense. I’m asking @SecBecerra and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.”

Biden added,

“I’d also like to note that as federal and state regulations change, we still need important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales of marijuana.”

“Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states. That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs.”

President Joe Biden via Instagram.

This isn’t the only major move President Joe Biden has made since being in office. According to reports, the application for his student loan forgiveness plan is expected to go live as soon as this week. Reportedly, under the plan, individuals who earned less than $125,000 in either 2020 or 2021 and married couples or heads of households who made less than $250,000 annually in those years will see up to $10,000 of their federal student loan debt forgiven.

In addition, If a qualifying borrower also received a federal Pell grant while enrolled in college, the individual is eligible for up to $20,000 of debt forgiveness.

What are your thoughts on this entire situation? Tell us in the comments below! 

[VIA 1,2]