Biden is urging governors to do the same in their states and ordered a review of marijuana’s classification under the Controlled Substances Act.
Joe Biden will be making some major changes to his marijuana policy, an issue that advocates have been pushing him on since he took office. On Thursday afternoon, the White House announced that Biden pardoned thousands of people who were charged in the past with simple marijuana possession. In a statement, the president cited the uneven application of such charges, saying that people of color are more likely to be arrested and convicted despite rates of usage being similar regardless of race.
“There are thousands of people who have prior federal convictions for marijuana possession, who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result,” Biden said.
