President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on Thursday to pardon people convicted of simple marijuana possession.
The president is also urging governors to do the same in states, as most convictions happen at a state level.
“Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana,” Biden said in a video announcement. “It’s time that we right these wrongs.”
Biden is taking this action as part of a step to fulfill a campaign promise, given that the efforts in Congress to address the issue have stalled, White House officials said.
Joe Biden proclamation on pardoning marijuana:In historic move, Biden pardons those with federal convictions for possessing marijuana
The Proclamation
Acting pursuant to the grant of authority in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., do hereby grant a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to (1) all current United States citizens and lawful permanent residents who committed the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, as currently codified at 21 USC 844 and as previously codified elsewhere in the United States Code, or in violation of DC Code 48–904.01( d)(1), on or before the date of this proclamation, regardless of whether they have been charged with or prosecuted for this offense on or before the date of this proclamation; and (2) all current United States citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been convicted of the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, as currently codified at 21 USC 844 and as previously codified elsewhere in the United States Code , or in violation of DC Code 48–904.01(d)(1); which pardon shall restore to them full political, civil, and other rights.
My intent by this proclamation is to pardon only the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of Federal law or in violation of DC Code 48–904.01(d)(1), and not any other offenses related to marijuana or other controlled substances. No language herein shall be constructed to pardon any person for any other offense, including possession of other controlled substances, whether committed prior, subsequent, or contemporary to the pardoned offense of simple possession of marijuana. This pardon does not apply to individuals who were non-citizens not lawfully present in the United States at the time of their offense.
Pursuant to this proclamation, the Attorney General, acting through the Pardon Attorney, shall administer and effectuate the issuance of certificates of pardon to eligible applicants who have been charged or convicted for the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, as currently codified at 21 USC 844 and as previously codified elsewhere in the United States Code, or in violation of DC Code 48–904.01(d)(1). The Attorney General, acting through the Pardon Attorney, is directed to develop and announce application procedures for certificates of pardon and to begin accepting applications in accordance with such procedures as soon as reasonably practicable. The Attorney General, acting through the Pardon Attorney, shall review all properly submitted applications and shall issue certificates of pardon to eligible applicants in due course.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
www.usatoday.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism