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US President pardons thousands convicted of marijuana possession

- said US will review how the drug is classified
President Joe Biden’s action marks a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to marijuana policy and takes a step towards making good on his campaign commitment to decriminalise marijuana. Photo: Susan Walsh/AOL
The pardons will clear about 6,500 people who were convicted on federal charges of simple possession of marijuana from 1992 to 2021 and thousands more who were convicted of possession in the District of Columbia, officials said ahead of the president’s announcement. Photo: Internet Source
The pardons will clear about 6,500 people who were convicted on federal charges of simple possession of marijuana from 1992 to 2021 and thousands more who were convicted of possession in the District of Columbia, officials said ahead of the president’s announcement. Photo: Internet Source
WASHINGTON DC, USA — US President Joseph R. Biden on Thursday, October 6, 2022, pardoned all people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law and said his administration would review whether marijuana should still be a Schedule 1 drug like heroin and LSD, saying that “makes no sense.”

The pardons will clear about 6,500 people who were convicted on federal charges of simple possession of marijuana from 1992 to 2021 and thousands more who were convicted of possession in the District of Columbia, officials said ahead of the president’s announcement.

White House officials said the president is making the move to fulfill a campaign promise as efforts in Congress to address the issue have stalled.

"As I often said during my campaign for president, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana," Biden said.  "Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit."

Biden said the "collateral consequences" of convictions for marijuana possession include being denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities.

Black & brown people convicted @ disproportionate rates- Biden

He also said Black and brown people have been arrested and convicted at disproportionate rates despite using marijuana at similar rates as white people.

The Justice Department will issue certificates of pardons to those eligible. That process will begin implementation "in coming days," according to department spokesman Anthony Coley.

The pardons will apply to those convicted under the District of Columbia’s drug laws, which covers “thousands” more people, according to the White House.

Mr Biden urged governors to follow his lead for people convicted on state charges of simple possession. 

UK refuses to assent VI's marijuana legislation

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, via the Governor's Office, has refused to assent to legislation debated and passed in the [British] Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) to allow the territory to reap revenue from medicinal marijuana.

19 Responses to “US President pardons thousands convicted of marijuana possession”

  • Good News. (06/10/2022, 17:39) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    Real talk. Good move mr President, now BVI time to follow the leader.
    • Citizen (07/10/2022, 09:18) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      Yes we need to get rid of UK. We already using the US dollars. Lets make that move.
  • Awesome (06/10/2022, 18:50) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is awesome. The bvi should follow. Once it’s only for the plant ????
    • ......... (07/10/2022, 00:02) Like (6) Dislike (15) Reply
      Wait a second, you don't follow the news. The BVI tried. The UK blocked it.
  • FIRE ???? ARMY (06/10/2022, 19:03) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    HERB LEGAL LONG TIME
  • Free it up (06/10/2022, 20:28) Like (23) Dislike (8) Reply
    This is good news. It is definitely NOT a class I drug just a simple plant.
  • .......... (06/10/2022, 22:12) Like (5) Dislike (11) Reply
    Another reason why, the BVI should integrate with the US. The UK and our slow politicians are denying us the herb, yet it is smoked freely in most of the US.
  • Pfffff (06/10/2022, 22:14) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    It’s an election year and they are struggling for votes
  • Pardon Me (06/10/2022, 22:23) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    Please pardon Andrew next.
  • Fire pon rome (06/10/2022, 22:25) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    No white bwoy who is a part of the problem can say when my herb is free. We came meet it here and will die leave it here.
  • Trump2024 (07/10/2022, 00:07) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    Sleepy Joe back at it!
  • lol 26 years later (07/10/2022, 10:17) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    He is the started that on black and brown. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/6/20/18677998/joe-biden-1994-crime-bill-law-mass-incarceration
  • black history (07/10/2022, 10:45) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    #freetheweed #freeandrew
  • Obama was a failure . (11/10/2022, 16:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks President Biden..These are blacks and Mexicans who the system had no mercy for...Good move.Great heart.


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