U.S. Congress: Nearly 30 Lawmakers Push President Trump to Commute Sentences for Federal Marijuana Prisoners

U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Steven Horsford (D-NV), along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), are leading a congressional letter urging President Donald Trump to commute the sentences of people serving time in federal prison for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses.

The letter, also addressed to White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson, was signed by 29 members of Congress, including six senators and 23 House members.

“We write to respectfully request that you use your pardon power to commute the sentences to all those in the federal prison system serving non-violent marijuana-related offenses,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter argues that federal marijuana policy has left thousands of people incarcerated even as most states have legalized marijuana in some form and national public opinion has shifted heavily in favor of legal access. Lawmakers also noted that while the Trump administration has moved to reschedule certain medical marijuana products to Schedule III, that action does not help those currently serving federal marijuana sentences.

“However, rescheduling marijuana does not provide relief for anyone currently in federal prison from a marijuana conviction,” the letter states. “As president, you have a unique opportunity to use your constitutional authority and issue a categorical commutation to address this continuing injustice.”

The lawmakers cited United States Sentencing Commission data estimating that around 3,000 people remain federally incarcerated for marijuana trafficking offenses, with many serving mandatory minimum sentences of five years or longer. They also pointed to racial disparities in enforcement, saying African Americans are arrested for marijuana possession at a rate 3.6 times higher than white people despite similar usage rates.

“Too many people are serving way too long for marijuana-associated offenses,” the letter states. “This means precious time away from loved ones and families separated for years, and in some cases even decades, due to our country’s antiquated laws around marijuana.”

The lawmakers also argued that commutations would help address conditions within the Bureau of Prisons, which they described as both overcrowded and understaffed.

“While it won’t solve the structural issues that have led us here, we believe that commuting the sentences of people with marijuana offenses would both address the overly harsh sentences while simultaneously allowing BOP to focus resources where they are needed most,” the letter states.

In addition to commutations, the letter asks Trump to direct the Bureau of Prisons to provide reentry support for people serving marijuana sentences, saying those with life sentences often cannot access such services.

“Lastly, those serving unjust marijuana sentences should be provided with support services to ensure they have a successful reentry after years of incarceration,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter was also signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ed Markey (D-MA), along with Representatives Hank Johnson (D-GA), Troy Carter (D-LA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Summer Lee (D-PA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA) and Val Hoyle (D-OR).