On Thursday, US President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of individuals convicted of marijuana possession, calling on governors to follow suit.
“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.”
– Joe Biden, President of the United States of America
The White House will pardon over 6,500 individuals, and thousands more under D.C. law. The pardon will not apply for non-US citizens and those illegally in the country.
The Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney will restore all their political, civil, and other rights that were denied to them as felons.
“There are thousands of people who were convicted for marijuana possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden on them.”
– Joe Biden, President of the United States of America
Between 2010 and 2018, there were 6.1 million arrests in the US for marijuana possession, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Biden has instructed Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Attorney General Merrick Garland to review how marijuana is classified under federal drug laws.
