A coalition of drug reform advocates on Monday urged President Joe Biden to follow through on his campaign promises and signal the nation is "truly taking a new course" by expunging the records of those with non-violent marijuana convictions.
In a letter (pdf) sent Monday, the groups—including National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the just-launched U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC)—pointed to a national criminal justice system "in urgent need of reform" and called for a general pardon of those currently and formerly incarcerated.
"Cannabis prohibition ruins lives, wastes resources, and is opposed by a large majority of Americans," the group wrote. - Common Dreams
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Pres. Biden needs to pardon non-violent marijuana "offenders"
Biden's pardons/expungements would only apply to those convicted of federal crimes. But in addition to being the right thing to do, in and of itself, it would set a great example.
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Another reason to issue a pardon for these crimes could address a question that Congress is currently discussing -- if you were convicted of a crime, did time, and then became a partner in a business that was eligible for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, you should be denied a loan ? i.e. when someone was in their "youthful phase of live", and sold a little weed ... and now has a long-term marriage, and operate a farm where one partner is a convicted felon, should the farm be denied participation in the program ?
ReplyDeleteWhile very few Members of Congress have ever been convicted of major drug charges, don't ya gotta think many of those arrested found a lawyer who knew a friendly prosecutor to avoid the felony charge -- if not for themselves, maybe for their children ... remember Morgan Grams, the son of Minnesota Senator Rod Grams ? Heck even President Barack Obama admitted to marijuana and cocaine use in his book, "Dreams from My Father" --- oh, maybe that's why they want to deny PPP loans.
BTW ... 37 Members of the House (including Dean Phillips and Ilhan Omar) just sent a letter to Biden requesting pardons be granted.