Posted on 12/22/2023 7:45:14 AM PST by Red Badger
President Joe Biden took major action ahead of the holiday and pardoned all Americans arrested, prosecuted, or convicted on federal charges for marijuana use, following through on his 2020 campaign promise to expunge cannabis use offenses.
Biden signed a proclamation Friday that forgives U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents caught by law enforcement for possessing the drug and charged, going far beyond the sweeping actions he took last year for thousands of people convicted of possession.
The new action includes "additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law," the White House said in a statement issued Friday morning.
The Biden administration did not provide an estimate for how many people would be affected, but it noted that those convicted of selling or transporting marijuana were not included in the pardon.
The White House's hope in taking such broad action was to make it easier for people with criminal records to be able to obtain work and housing as a result of clearing their records of the felony offense.
"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."
People convicted of violating state marijuana laws are not eligible for this latest pardon, but Biden urged governors to take similar actions to absolve state charges.
Biden will take additional action Friday and commute the prison sentences of 11 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, including some mandatory life sentences, according to the White House. These commutations are the latest since he took similar action in April.
"Today, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is using his authority under the Constitution to uphold the values of redemption and rehabilitation by commuting the sentences of 11 fellow Americans who are serving unduly long sentences for non-violent drug offenses," the White House said in its announcement.
The Biden administration moved earlier this year to reclassify marijuana to a lower category on the Drug Enforcement Administration's scale. The Department of Health and Human Services proposed that the DEA move marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug.
As a Schedule I drug, marijuana is defined as a drug with no medical use and a high potential for abuse or addiction. Schedule II drugs may have some medically acceptable uses but still come with a high risk of abuse or addiction. Schedule III drugs contain smaller amounts of narcotic and non-narcotic drugs.
how many people in prison does this affect?
10, 100, ?
It doesn’t cause death, but it IS a gateway within this context.
Like Jimmy Carter’s pardons.
Great day for all the useless legions of stoners— worthless lazy unmotivated and not likely to change behaviour caused by years of drug abuse. Don’t become a stoner.... or an alcoholic, for the fact is, the drug OWNS the addict. In the case of pot— loss of IQ is documented if habituated before brain maturation has completed. It is NOT a benign agent and has documented gene linked biochemical responses that are lifelong.
Simple pot possession is what the article says
Which makes me wonder must not be that many except federal parks and whatnot
Simple lots possession is typically a local charge if that
In Nashville it’s rarely charged unless in association with firearms or impaired driving or domestic stuff
Few if any traffickers
Feds won’t touch weed now generally even large amounts unless target is interesting to them anyhow nor large confiscations at hand cash or asset wise
But it DOESN’T say he can do all the OTHER things he’s done.
Are there no watchmen on the walls?
Many turkeys get pardoned before Thanksgiving.
IMO, instant restoration of voting rights is the real purpose here.
Thinking plea bargain down from more serious offenses. Anyway, have a great Christmas.
BINGO!
U 2 RM
making traditional creole style gumbo for tomorrow
No offense to my coon pals here
I know
No tomato
Don’t mix seafood and andouille
We all agree on almost burnt dark roux which takes an hour steady stir
But I’ll use Savoie bottle in a pinch if my homemade roux is lacking
I confess
Sounds delish. Gotta get Mrs rktman to make us another batch of shrimp and crawfish chowder.
Merry Christmas to you all.
The dope heads will swear that pot makes them drive BETTER.
A thought came to me the other day. If those smoking dope, were less likely to commit violence and criminal acts than those who drink alcohol, why are blacks overwhelmingly the violent and criminal actors? Finding a black person who does not smoke MJ is like finding an honest politician. Instead of being more moderate and mild of temper, the users of dope are instead ravenous with hate and violent moods.
Glad2bnuts out
Alcohol and tobacco, are not drugs. Both are stimulants, used properly they are life enhancing.
Right, in WA it is legal and has been for a few years. My Granddaughter graduated early from HS, was on track to become a Marine. She met some friends who are dope heads, and she is now a young bum. Her Stepdad who is very nice to her, had surgery. They took out 2/3rds of his liver and his colon. While her Mother is taking leave and tending to him at his Hospital bedside, she won’t find time to care for the two dogs. Mind you, she is staying with her Father and living about halfway between house and Medical clinic, and you could walk to either place in 45 minutes. Yet, the car the new SIL fixed for her is still in great running condition. She just wants to be stoned and party. POT, a life enhancer for all... I would lol, but it is not funny.
Correct sir.
Lower BAC limits for breaking the law, you get more arrests and convictions. Being .12 on a BAC test, one is not really impaired. A 65 year old sober individual, is more impaired than a person who can blow a .12. The law making .08, is meant as a political payoff to those who give money to Democrats, and creating more profit for insurance companies, lawyers and local Judges retirement funds.
In 1971, I took the test for Federal employment. I scored a 99 out of 100. Perfection was 100, with 5 added for servicemen, more added for service in war.
6 months later, I took the test again, because the government said they had lost me records. As I had graduated before the first test, and wasn’t hired, I started partying and smoking weed was what I am talking about, no booze. I scored a 100 on the test? No I scored a 95. The part where you are supposed to follow instructions and fill in the circles by memory, I would space out and miss some. I was perfect on knowledge, but my short term memory was altered by some force.
I am thinking that black men who commit crimes, are universally stoned.
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