President Biden is making moves to impact people convicted of cannabis charges. However, his pardons will be limited to those convicted in Washington, D.C., and on federal lands.
Additionally, the pardons only cover convictions for use and simple possession — not distribution. The White House made the announcement on Friday (Dec. 22), per the Associated Press. The outlet reports that this is the president’s
latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system.
What The President Biden Said
President Biden reportedly said this categorical pardon would help make “the promise of equal justice a reality.”
“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” Biden said. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”
Amid the announcement, President Biden also urged governors and local legislators to follow his leadership.
Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either, Biden said.”
Eleven people will also be receiving clemency for “disproportionately long” sentences for “nonviolent drug offenses.”
President Biden Previously Issued Pardons Related To Marijuana Charges
According to the AP, Biden issued a similar round of pardons before the 2022 midterm elections. Thousands of convictions of simple possession on federal lands were tossed. Friday marks an expansion of that round, adding convictions based on use to the eligibility requirements.
Though no one was released from prison under 2022’s pardons, the move was meant to address housing and employment challenges convicts often face.
Last month, President Biden hosted an event at the White House for a different type of pardon. On his
81st birthday, he pardoned the national turkeys for Thanksgiving — upholding a White House tradition of the last seven decades!
Cassandra SantiagoCassandra Santiago is a multimedia journalist, editor, and editorial strategist with over a decade of experience shaping conversations across arts, entertainment, culture, and global news. A graduate of the University of Iowa, she has built a cross-platform career spanning newspapers, magazines, radio, and digital media. She joined The Shade Room five years ago and currently serves as a Senior Editor, where she leads editorial direction, oversees exclusive coverage, and trains and edits a team of writers. Cassandra has played a key role in developing high-impact content and editorial strategies for an audience of more than 30 million, contributing to platform growth, engagement, and monetization across multiple channels. In addition to her leadership role, she remains a daily contributor, with her articles generating more than 41 million views since 2023. Beyond The Shade Room, Cassandra offers freelance social media strategy services, speaks on the influence and impact of Black media at public panels, and owns Did It For You, an event design company in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. She is Poynter Institute–certified and was named to the DMV’s 35 Under 35 list in 2024.
