Posted on 10/06/2022 12:40:12 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of color.
Biden’s move also covers thousands convicted of the crime in the District of Columbia. He is also calling on governors to issue similar pardons for those convicted of state marijuana offenses, which reflect the vast majority of marijuana possession cases.
Biden, in a statement, said the move reflects his position that “no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.”
“Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana,” he added. “It’s time that we right these wrongs.”
According to the White House, no one is currently in federal prison solely for “simple possession” of the drug, but the pardon could help thousands overcome obstacles to renting a home or finding a job.
“The Justice Department will expeditiously administer the President’s proclamation, which pardons individuals who engaged in simple possession of marijuana, restoring political, civil, and other rights to those convicted of that offense,” the department said in a statement. “In coming days, the Office of the Pardon Attorney will begin implementing a process to provide impacted individuals with certificates of pardon.”
Biden is also directing the secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. attorney general to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, but ahead of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The White House did not set a timeline for the review.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Frequent fliers? Possession of marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail and a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first conviction. For a second conviction, the penalties increase to a 15-day mandatory minimum sentence with a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
I’m sure there are some marijuana migrants. California has much better weather than Washington or Oregon, though. Washington doesn’t allow for legal MJ cultivation for personal use. Oregon and Cali do. As a consequence, weed is like zucchini in Oregon. Pretty much free if you know people.
Either the journalist forgot or didn’t bother to provide the facts regarding “simple“ possession of marijuana. Wow you are lower than actors!
Easy enough.
21 USC CHAPTER 13, SUBCHAPTER I, Part B: Authority To Control; Standards and Schedules From Title 21—FOOD AND DRUGSCHAPTER 13—DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROLSUBCHAPTER I—CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT
§811. Authority and criteria for classification of substances
(a) Rules and regulations of Attorney General; hearing
The Attorney General shall apply the provisions of this subchapter to the controlled substances listed in the schedules established by section 812 of this title and to any other drug or other substance added to such schedules under this subchapter. Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e), the Attorney General may by rule—
(1) add to such a schedule or transfer between such schedules any drug or other substance if he—
Rules of the Attorney General under this subsection shall be made on the record after opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the rulemaking procedures prescribed by subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5. Proceedings for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of such rules may be initiated by the Attorney General (1) on his own motion, (2) at the request of the Secretary, or (3) on the petition of any interested party.
The White House did not set a timeline for the review.
How long can it take? There is the law. The AG makes the rule and it's off the schedule immediately!
Pure posturing.
Broken clock.
There IS a reason it’s called DOPE! The most dangerous person to work with in ANY dangerous occupation is the stoner. They don’t pay attention to the details much less the safety rules that protect their fellow workers from “stoner stupidity”. It’s real life folks and stoners are real life dangerous. Just fyi. And don’t even BOTHER to “set me straight” on this. Been there, done that, got the tees AND the scars.
Not really if it was just a small amount like a joint each time - stays a misdemeanor each time.
Federal?
I am not arguing for marijuana. I am against it. I will guarantee you I have sold more dope than you will ever see. It is Satanic. It is a gateway NOT so much into the world of heroin and whatnot, but into a spiritual world of evil, filled with superintelligent hypersomatic beings who are filled with lies and hatred for you. I hate drugs, including pot. If I could push a button and magically end all drug abuse, including recreational pot, I WOULD PUSH THAT BUTTON. So no more stupid accusations that I just wanna smoke my joints. OK?
all that is absolutely and completely irrelevant as to whether the US government has the constitutional authority to enact laws against it. IT DEFINITELY DOES NOT. There is no authority in the Constitution which provides for the federal government to prohibit, fine, obstruct, or otherwise hinder someone who wishes to ingest whatever idiotic harmful substance they wish to.
This is the most awful thing about the so called "drug wars." The people who insist on prosecuting it are the same crowd which will bawl out about how we need to "return to the constitution" and how the rule of law has become perverted, and will insist in the same ignorant breath that the bad effects of pot (and there certainly are bad effects) make it ok to just ignore the Constitution, WHICH GRANTS NO SUCH AUTHORITY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
Do yourself a favor. Try and find the federal authority in the constitution for outlawing pot... or meth..., or cocaine... or even heroin or fentanyl. Show it to me, and I will never again accuse drug warriors of being hostile to the rule of law. Until I can find this... just once...., I could care less about all the blubbering and yammering and empty headed nonsense about the awful price paid ( and I have friends who are dead from ODs, some who died in prison, and others who completely ruined their lives... I KNOW ABOUT THE PRICE). That is not the issue. Never has been.
Until then, I could care less about all the self congratulatory moral grandstanding about how bad dope is, so it justifies the response of tyranny in the name of protecting us.
You guys need to have the courage to say it out loud "I BELIEVE IN TYRANNY AND THE LAWLESS EXERCISE OF POWER IF IT IS FOR GOOD."
Till then don't give me crap about what you know about drugs. I lived in that world for years and I know it better than you. I also happen to know the Constitution (IMAGINE THAT!) and believe in the rule of law. You should try it some time.
Post 69
Post 69. “Federally Illegal” huh?
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