Biden Issues Pardons For Thousands Convicted Of Marijuana Offenses

Joe Biden is heading into the final year of his first administration, and there’s not much positive we can say about his run…

Still, it’s common for the incumbent to make a few strategic moves ahead of the next election cycle.

The Biden Administration is doing just that as we head into the 2024 presidential election year.

Biden just pardoned thousands of people convicted of possession marijuana charges.

Biden bragged about how this move would help rectify racial disparities within the justice system.

Additionally, he also commuted the sentences of 11 individuals who were serving sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

He claimed that these actions would make the “promise of equal justice a reality.”

BREAKING: Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in Washington https://t.co/u84BPL9eTk

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 22, 2023

The Associated Press has more on the pardons:

President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system.

The categorical pardon builds on a similar round issued just before the 2022 midterm elections that pardoned thousands convicted of simple possession on federal lands eligible. Friday’s action broadens the criminal offenses covered by the pardon. Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving what the White House called “disproportionately long” sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

Biden, in a statement, said his actions would help make the “promise of equal justice a reality.”

President Biden will sign a proclamation to pardon certain marijuana offenses Friday, building on broader action he took last year for thousands of people convicted of possession under federal law, the White House says. https://t.co/XjtrgcJADE

— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 22, 2023

Joe Biden Pardons Federal Marijuana Possession Convictions

"Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.  It’s time that we right these wrongs," President Biden said Friday.

More: https://t.co/04V0qYiqWu pic.twitter.com/mwAsOSv5J3

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 22, 2023

BREAKING🚨: President Joe Biden has announced he's issuing a federal pardon to every American who has used marijuana in the past, including those who were never arrested or prosecuted.

— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) December 22, 2023

NEW: @POTUS Biden pardons people convicted of "simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law." And commutes sentences of 11 convicted of non-violent drug offenses. They "would have been eligible to receive significantly lower sentences" if charged today. pic.twitter.com/bg0e9C3srM

— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) December 22, 2023

Biden is playing up the racial aspect of this move, which shouldn’t surprise anyone considering the things Biden has said in the past about minorities…

Biden to pardon certain marijuana offenses, commute sentences of 11 non-violent drug offenders https://t.co/1WxN8Tb01V pic.twitter.com/ffR6Kzhj8q

— The Hill (@thehill) December 22, 2023

The Hill has more:

The individuals who had their sentences commuted were Felipe Arriaga of Washington, Earlie Deacon Barber of Alabama, James Michael Barber of North Carolina, Anthony Ewing of Georgia, Quittman Andre Goodley of Texas, Deondre Cordell Higgins of Missouri, Leroy Lymons of Florida, Angel Rosario of Pennsylvania, Esaias J. Tucker of Florida, Darryl Allen Winkfield of Georgia and Kenneth Winkler of Indiana.

The White House said Biden supports efforts to eliminate sentencing disparities between crack cocaine offenses and powder cocaine offenses.

“America was founded on the principle of equal justice under law,” Biden said in a statement. “Elected officials on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect this core value that makes our communities safer and stronger.”

Naturally, there are many differing opinions on this move:

Virtue Signaling

— Gary Tapperson (@tap_gary) December 22, 2023

🇺🇸BIDEN PARDONS WEED OFFENDERS

"Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.  It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

Biden has pardoned thousands Americans convicted of personal marijuana possession, both federally and in D.C.

Source: White… pic.twitter.com/PKzyz4bld1

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 22, 2023

Biden’s poll numbers with African Americans must have been horrific.

While agree no one should have been arrested for small amounts of marijuana, anyone selling it or intending to sell, especially minors, should be locked away. https://t.co/LMZTBMIWz8

— Wisconsin’s Conservative Sponge (@wiz_political) December 22, 2023

Biden federally pardoned all marijuana users, including those never charged with a crime. Ok fine, whatever, but…

How many people cheering this would have thrown an absolute fit if Trump did the same for J6 protestors, or alternate electors, etc?

We all know the answer.

— Rudolph Troha 🇺🇲🏳️‍🌈 (@RudolphTroha) December 22, 2023

While this is a good pardon, let's not forget that the Biden Administration is still actively arguing in court that even a single instance of marijuana usage should bar people from exercising their 2nd Amendment rights forever. https://t.co/L0hqy8O2RR

— Latino Rifle Association (@LatinoRifleOrg) December 22, 2023

I wonder what Kamala Harris thinks of these pardons…

JUST IN: President Biden issues federal pardons to every American who has previously used marijuana.

Ironically, Biden's own vice president Kamala Harris prosecuted some of the very same people who Biden is now pardoning.

Kamala Harris is responsible for overseeing 1,956… pic.twitter.com/VPluWEovyC

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 22, 2023

Looks like she’s changed her tune:..

Kamala Harris oversaw more than 1,900 cannabis related convictions in San Francisco when she was a prosecutor.

Many of the people she put behind bars were black.

Kamala is a complete hypocrite when she says she now wants to go easy on people who use marijuana.

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) December 22, 2023