Joe Biden Pardons Federal Marijuana Possession Convictions

President Joe Biden is issuing a pardon to more Americans who have been convicted of possessing marijuana for personal use nationwide federally and in Washington, D.C., the White House announced Friday.

The pardon applies to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who’ve been convicted of possessing marijuana for personal use on a federal level, and also in D.C. It also includes those who have never been charged for possession and follows up on a similar pardon he issued in 2022.

“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.”

Biden also commuted the sentences of 11 people who are “serving disproportionately long sentences for non-violent drug offenses” since they’d be eligible to receive “significantly lower sentences” if charged today.

Biden also sent a message to governors to reconsider their approach to the criminalization of marijuana on the state level.

“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. “That’s why I continue to urge Governors to do the same with regard to state offenses and applaud those who have since taken action.”

Along with the pardon, he issued a Proclamation that will pardon additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law. Marijuana has been decriminalized or legalized in at least 20 states but continues to be a controlled substance under federal law.

The pardon only applies to those with simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana.

Biden’s new approach to weed is a significant shift from his previous stances.

Back in 2021, several staffers were asked to resign or were suspended for past marijuana usage. And in 2010, while serving as Barack Obama’s Vice President, Biden called weed a “gateway drug,” adding that “legalization is a mistake” in an interview with ABC News.

In the late Eighties, Biden said he “rejected” the idea of the legalization of recreational drugs. “Is it proper and legitimate for a government to take an action which we know expressly will lead to the mental and physical demise of an individual?” Biden asked at the time, per Mother Jones. “I say no.”