John,
Last week, President Biden announced pardons for thousands of people who had been previously convicted of possessing marijuana. He also called for a review of the drug's classification under federal law.
Both of these are major steps forward for those fighting for marijuana justice and an end to the war on drugs. However, zero people will be released from federal incarceration because of this announcement, and the vast majority of prosecutions for possession take place at the state level.1
That’s why we’re asking you to join us in calling on elected officials in District of Columbia and across the country to follow the lead of President Biden — and to go even further. Sign our petition: Legalize marijuana, expunge all records, and end the war on drugs.
Here are some more details about last week's announcement from the White House:
President Biden announced a pardon for all people who have been charged with a felony solely for possessing marijuana. These pardons won't apply to people with more serious marijuana-related charges at the federal level, or to those who have been charged on the local or state level.
A senior administration official told reporters that these pardons would affect more than 6,500 people who had previously received low-level federal charges, and will now be able to vote, access housing, and gain employment that they had previously been barred from.2
In addition, President Biden also requested that the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General review the current classification of marijuana. Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 drug, which is meant for the most dangerous substances.
Other Schedule 1 drugs include LSD and heroin — even fentanyl and methamphetamine, some of the most addictive and destructive drugs in our country aren’t scheduled as high as marijuana.3
Do not get us wrong, John: This is an important first step. Reform initiatives like this are essential to begin to right past injustices of the war on drugs.
But there is still much more work to be done — and as the president himself noted, much of it has to happen at the state level.
This is why our work on the state and local level is so important, John.
WFP champions at every level of government are helping to lead the fight for marijuana justice. And right now, hundreds of them are out campaigning in the stretch run of a critical election. If we can show the power of our movement on Election Day, and elect even more of them to offices like governor and state legislature, we can win even bigger victories.
Sign on to our petition asking elected officials at the state level to follow the lead of President Biden — and to go even further. Add your name: Legalize marijuana, expunge all records, and end the war on drugs.
Add your name »
In solidarity,
Working Families Party
Sources:
1. Why Biden’s Marijuana Pardons Are Not Enough, Slate, Oct 12, 2022.
2. Explainer: What will change if federal marijuana ban is loosened?, Reuters, Oct 8, 2022.
3. Statement from President Biden on Marijuana Reform, The White House, Oct 6, 2022.
