…As He plans To Issue Executive Order To Decriminalize The Use Of Marijuana.
“Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states…”
Says, US- President Joe Biden
By Charles Edet 7th October, 2022.
President Joe Biden of the United States has issued a federal pardon to persons convicted for possessing marijuana. The President announced that his administration will work towards decriminalising the cannabis plant from the same level as heroin, a highly dangerous narcotic.
President Biden in a Twitter thread on Thursday, 6th of October, 2022 , stated Both are there everywhere herethat personal use and possession of marijuana should be legal.
“As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to lay them out.
“First: I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden,” the Tweet read.
Biden’s pardon marks an historic shift in the global discourse around marijuana, freeing about 6,500 people who were convicted on federal charges between 1992 to 2022. He has also tasked U.S. state governors to release every one been held on charges of marijuana’s possession.
“Second: I’m calling on governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses. Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely for possessing marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either,” he added.
The US President however noted that there will be limitations on trafficking, marketing and underage sales of marijuana. Being a substance illegal in many U.S. states, the president, makes a case for a federal legislation decriminalising the possession of the drug while also regulating its use.
“Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states. That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs,” he tweeted.
The American president called on Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Attorney-General Merrick Garland to review the process of decriminalising marijuana.
“We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense. I’m asking @SecBecerra and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.”
His pardon is seen as a pledge fulfilled since he had promised to decriminalise the plant during his presidency campaign in 2019.