US President Joe Biden announced changes to the policy regarding marijuana. Under this, orders were given to release the accused in jail for possessing marijuana under federal law. Biden said that many lives are ruined by using or possessing marijuana.
US President Joe Biden announced a nationwide policy change regarding marijuana. He has ordered the release of people jailed for using or possessing marijuana under federal laws. Biden said that I declare an apology to all those accused of possessing marijuana under federal law. I have directed the Attorney General to initiate the administrative process for issuance of certificates for the pardon of the accused.
Biden said that no one should be jailed for using or possessing marijuana in the country. Doing so destroys many lives. Also, having such a criminal record, people have to face difficulties in getting jobs, home or admission in schools, colleges.
Biden said that our wrong approach to marijuana has ruined many lives. Now the time has come that we should rectify this mistake. He said that all kinds of people, white and black, use marijuana, but blacks are more often arrested, prosecuted or convicted for using or possessing marijuana than whites.
Biden took three steps regarding the marijuana policy
The US President said that today he is going to take three steps by changing the policy regarding the allegation of using or possessing marijuana. He said that first of all, under federal law, the punishment of all those accused of possessing marijuana is waived.
Statement from President Biden on Marijuana Reform
As I often said during my campaign for President, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibited. Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. And while white Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates.
Today, I am announcing three steps that I am taking to end this failed approach.
First, I am announcing a pardon of all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana. I have directed the Attorney General to develop an administrative process for the issuance of certificates of pardon to eligible individuals. There are thousands of people who have prior Federal convictions for marijuana possession, who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions.
Second, I am urging all Governors to do the same with regard to state offenses. Just as no one should be in a Federal prison solely due to the possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.
Third, I am asking the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to initiate the administrative process to review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Federal law currently classifies marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the classification meant for the most dangerous substances. This is the same schedule as for heroin and LSD, and even higher than the classification of fentanyl and methamphetamine — the drugs that are driving our overdose epidemic.
Finally, even as federal and state regulation of marijuana changes, important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales should stay in place.
Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.
Biden said that in this case, I have given instructions to the Attorney General to end the sentence of those who are eligible. This decision will help a large number of people who are suffering the consequences of marijuana possession charges.
Along with this, the governors of all the states of the country were also advised that no one should be put in jail for possessing or using marijuana. Biden has also asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to review how marijuana was brought under federal law.
Let us tell you that marijuana is placed under Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act of federal law. However, Biden made it clear that the ban on illegally buying and selling marijuana in the country should continue.