Biden pardons all federal simple marijuana possession offenses

President Biden on Thursday pardoned all federal offenses of simple marijuana possession, and encouraged state governors to do the same. Marijuana is classified under the Controlled Substances Act.

Thousands of people who have prior federal convictions for marijuana possession may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. The consequences of these convictions will be relieved by my actions.

All prior charges, convictions, and not-yet-proven offenses will be pardoned. A certificate of pardon will be granted by the Justice Department.

More than 6,500 people would get federal pardons and thousands more with convictions in the District of Columbia would be impacted, according to senior administration officials. There are currently no people in federal prisons who have been convicted of simple marijuana possession. State convictions will not be affected by federal pardons. Biden wants the pardons to be extended to those charges.

Biden said in the address that no one should be in jail just for using marijuana.

Black and brown communities have been harmed by the criminalization of marijuana despite the fact that white Americans use it at a similar rate.

Officials said that Biden was following through on his campaign commitments.

Biden wants the secretary of Health and Human Services and the attorney general to quickly review how marijuana is classified. Marijuana is currently listed as a "Schedule I" drug, which means it is the most dangerous substance, placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD. Senior officials said the review would take time, but that it should be done quickly.

Biden said that too many lives have been ruined because of the failed approach to marijuana. It's time for us to correct these wrongs.