Beatty Applauds Biden Cannabis Announcement
Press Release
Today, US CONGRESSWOMAN AND CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR JOYCE BEATTY (OH-03) issued the following statement on the President's Executive Action on Marijuana Reform:
"At a time when millions of people are legally buying, selling, and consuming cannabis, it's a great injustice that Americans, particularly Black and brown Americans, are still incarcerated for doing the same. Even upon release, those convicted of simple possession face needless and devastating barriers to employment, housing, and education. President Biden's decision to pardon all federal offenses of simple marijuana possession is a step towards justice and a model for state governments to follow. As we work to erase historic injustices like cannabis prohibition, Governor DeWine must follow President Biden's lead and begin the process of decriminalization and pardoning individuals convicted at the state level, because cannabis justice is racial justice."
The following steps are included in the President's effort to implement marijuana reform:
FIRST, he is announcing a full and unconditional pardon of all prior federal offenses for simple possession of marijuana by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. This pardon will help thousands with prior convictions seeking housing, employment, benefits, and educational opportunities who are currently ineligible based on federal statutory or regulatory bars on individuals with prior drug convictions.
SECOND, the President is urging all Governors to follow his lead and issue pardons for state marijuana possession offenses. Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the simple possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.
THIRD, the President is asking the Secretary of HHS and the Attorney General to begin the administrative process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Marijuana is currently a Schedule I drug, treated the same as heroin and LSD and more strictly than fentanyl and methamphetamine -- the drugs driving our overdose epidemic. Changing how marijuana is scheduled would advance research and facilitate the appropriate medical use of marijuana.
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