Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — President Joe 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 said.

The new pardons target “additional offenses of simple possession and use of marijuana under federal and D.C. law,” Biden said in a statement. Further details have not been announced; a White House official said in a statement that the proclamation includes offenses related to “use and possession on certain Federal lands,” provisions that weren’t covered by the 2022 proclamation.

“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” Biden said in the statement. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

He also called on governors to take similar actions with state marijuana-related offenses, arguing that no one should be in jail or prison “solely due to the use or possession of marijuana.”

It was not immediately clear how many people would be affected by the new pardons.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommended in August that the Drug Enforcement Administration ease marijuana restrictions by moving it to a Schedule III drug, which would be a significant change to federal drug policy. The DEA still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, alongside drugs such as heroin and LSD. Most states allow marijuana use in some form, such as recreationally or for medical purposes.

Biden on Friday is also commuting the prison sentences of 11 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, including some who have received mandatory life sentences, the White House said.

“Due to reforms, each of these clemency recipients would have been eligible for reduced sentences, had they been sentenced today,” a White House official said in an email. “This clemency grant represents the President’s commitment to addressing unjustified disparities in sentencing.”

Biden has granted clemency several times since he took office, most recently in April to 31 people convicted of drug-related offenses.

During his 2020 campaign, Biden called for the automatic expungement of cannabis use convictions.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
'Lawn guy' accused of throwing party at former client's home while they were on vacation: 'Epic failures'

“‘Lawn Maintenance Worker’ Allegedly Hosts Unauthorized Party at Vacant Client’s Residence: A Series of Missteps”

A North Carolina landscaper found himself in the weeds after allegedly throwing…
Woman shopping for sausages in a grocery store.

Nationwide recall of popular sandwich filler after officials find incorrect meat type

SEVERAL kinds of lunch meats were recalled across the US after officials…
NYPD officers in Washington Square Park following the NYC Pride March.

Teen Shot Near Stonewall Inn Amid Chaos at NYC Pride, Hours After Bear Spray Incident Injures 50

TWO teenagers were shot near the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday night…
Chilling 'coincidence' of Idaho shooting sends Internet sleuths into overdrive

Idaho Shooting’s Eerie ‘Coincidence’ Triggers Online Detectives’ Frenzy

On Sunday, a tragic ambush in Idaho targeted firefighters, coinciding with the…
Trump administration sues Los Angeles, claiming the city refuses to cooperate on immigration

Trump Administration Files Lawsuit Against Los Angeles for Non-Cooperation on Immigration

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Trump administration initiated a lawsuit on Monday…
‘Cobra Kai’ star Alicia Hannah-Kim breaks silence after Martin Kove bite

‘Cobra Kai’ Star Alicia Hannah-Kim Speaks Out After Incident With Martin Kove

Alicia Hannah-Kim is finally speaking out about her altercation with “Cobra Kai”…
Kansas City Chiefs fans’ deaths: Prosecutors seek tougher charges

Prosecutors Demand More Severe Charges in Deaths of Kansas City Chiefs Supporters

Prosecutors in Missouri are seeking to upgrade charges for two people arrested…

“Beauty & The Geek Star’s Dramatic Shift from TV Glamour to Shaven-Headed Murder Suspect”

THE former reality TV star charged with the murder of her partner…
Vilano Beach Motel demolition proposal stalls

Plan to Demolish Vilano Beach Motel Hits a Roadblock

A St. Johns County Cultural Resources Board vote will stop the demolition…
Canadian Prime Minister Carney says trade talks with US resume after Canada rescinded tech tax

Canadian Prime Minister Carney Announces Resumption of Trade Talks with the US Following Tech Tax Repeal

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said late Sunday trade talks with U.S.…
Ryan Lochte's estranged wife, Kayla Rae Reid, hints at 'betrayal' amid divorce, six-figure financial woes

Kayla Rae Reid, the estranged wife of Ryan Lochte, suggests a ‘betrayal’ as she faces divorce and major financial struggles.

Kayla Rae Reid shared a cryptic message about “betrayal” as her and…
Kim Jong-un appearing to weep at a memorial for North Korean soldiers killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Kim Jong-un Mourns Over Soldiers Lost in Ukraine Conflict

KIM Jong-un wept as he watched himself back draping flags over the…