Public Advocate welcomes US pardon of past federal marijuana possession convictions

New York City Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, has welcomed the decision by President Joe Biden to pardon past federal marijuana possession convictions.

“With this overdue action, thousands of Americans who saw their lives and livelihoods destroyed by a cannabis conviction are granted new, budding opportunity,” Williams, told the Caribbean Media Corporation, adding “this is a vital, welcome first step from the Biden administration, but it is the first step.

“We should move quickly to legalize cannabis nationwide and prioritize reinvesting in the Black and brown communities most devastated by its prohibition and unequal enforcement,” said Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants.

“Pardons are a critical solution in this moment, but, as we have seen, full legalization is the only way to combat the massive disparities in enforcement that have burdened generations with criminal records and ensnared them in an unjust system,” he added.

Williams said he was “proud of the work we’ve done to decriminalize, de-stigmatize, and ultimately legalize marijuana in New York,” further urging New York State “to be spurred by this new federal action to more quickly implement a just economy for legal marijuana sales.”

- Advertisement -

On Thursday, President Biden announced three steps he was taking to “end this failed approach.”

He said first there will be a pardon of all prior federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana, and he has directed the attorney general to develop an administrative process for the issuance of certificates of pardon to eligible individuals, stating that 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.

“My action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions,” Biden said

Second, he urged all governors to do the same with regard to state offenses, and thirdly he asked the US Secretary of Health and Human Services and the attorney general to initiate the administrative process to “review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.”

Federal law currently classifies marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, the classification meant for the most dangerous substances.

Biden said this is the same schedule as for heroin and LSD, “and even higher than the classification of fentanyl and methamphetamine – the drugs that are driving our overdose epidemic.”

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) also applauded Biden for “taking these transformative steps to right the historic injustices of the failed war on drugs by reforming our approach to marijuana criminalization.

“Possession of marijuana has upended far too many lives and incarcerated Black people at an alarmingly disproportionate rate for activities that many states no longer prohibit,” said the CBC in a statement.

Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed insurmountable barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities for countless Black and brown Americans, it added.

“The criminalization of marijuana has been a glaring racial justice issue in this nation, with Black communities bearing the brunt of this burden. “Today’s action by President Biden to remedy the failed approach to marijuana is a crucial step to righting the injustices of our past,” CBC said.

CMC

 

 

More Stories

Don’t wait, Vote Early this week voter faud

Broward man pleads guilty to voter fraud

A Broward County resident has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges, including voter fraud and identity theft, after impersonating a U.S. citizen to vote...
Hilary Creary

Hilary Creary becomes second Jamaican-American Magistrate in Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit

Hilary Creary has made history as the second Jamaican-American to serve as a Magistrate in Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit. Sworn in today, Creary joins a...
Audrey Marks

Senator Audrey Marks vows stronger diaspora engagement in new role

Senator Audrey Marks has reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening Jamaica’s ties with its diaspora as she takes on her new role within the Office...
Rosie Gordon-Wallace

Rosie Gordon-Wallace: Championing Caribbean art in South Florida and beyond

For more than two decades, Rosie Gordon-Wallace has been at the forefront of championing Caribbean art, carving out a space for diaspora artists in...
Spring Break Curfew

Miami Beach sees fewer arrests as spring break crackdown continues

As spring break rolls on in South Florida, Miami Beach officials report that strict enforcement measures appear to be yielding results. The city announced on...
Broward students attack teacher

Two Broward students arrested for alleged attack on teacher

Two students at Dillard High School in Broward County have been arrested after allegedly attacking a teacher in what police described as a “synchronized”...
Alex Daoud

Former Miami Beach Mayor Alex Daoud dies at 81

Alex Daoud, the former Miami Beach mayor who played a pivotal role in the city’s transformation before his career was marred by a corruption...
Medicare

Miami inspector pleads guilty to fraud in Medicare accreditation scheme

A Florida contractor has admitted to accepting bribes and engaging in fraudulent self-dealing to manipulate the Medicare accreditation process, federal prosecutors announced. Manuel Delgado, 64,...
Four Jamaicans arrested in Alabama for alleged involvement in lottery scam

Broward man sentenced to over 11 years on gun and drug charges

A federal judge has sentenced 38-year-old David Lee Pitts to 135 months in prison for drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession, following his arrest...
Cuban national immigration fraud

Cuban national arrested in Florida for alleged immigration fraud

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in coordination with the FBI, has arrested a Cuban national who allegedly obtained Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status...

Latest Articles

Skip to content