Biden pardons thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession, orders review of federal pot laws

Members of the DC Marijuana Justice community hold a 51 blow-up joint on the National Mall ahead of President Joe Bidens address to a joint session of Congress to call on the administration to take action on legalization and expungement of criminal records on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

The current system for pardoning people convicted of marijuana possession makes no sense, according to President Joe Biden, who pardoned thousands of people on Thursday.

The pardons only apply to federal offenders convicted of simple marijuana possession, but Biden called on governors to follow suit.

Biden said in a statement that no one should be in a local jail or state prison because of their marijuana use.

Thousands of people with prior convictions for simple marijuana possession were impacted by the pardons, according to a White House official. The pardons won't be extended to people who weren't US citizens when they were arrested.

Tilray Brands and Canopy Growth were both up 25% and 20% in the afternoon.

Thousands of people who were convicted for marijuana possession may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities because of it.

Biden instructed the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to review how marijuana is classified under federal drug laws.

Marijuana is a schedule one substance under federal drug sentencing guidelines and is more serious than heroin and LSD. It doesn't make sense

Biden said that too many lives have been ruined because of the failed approach to marijuana. We need to correct these wrongs.

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