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President Joe Biden made strides in cannabis reform, granting record relief to nearly 13,000 people.
However, Stephen Post from the Last Prisoner Project points out that — despite these past clemency actions — approximately 3,000 individuals are still incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis offenses.
“It’s time for President Biden to keep his promise,” Post writes in USA Today.
Read Also: Meet The Man Serving A 40-Year Sentence For Non-Violent Cannabis Charges, Awaiting Pardon From Biden
Polls show strong public support for these measures, with 84% of voters favoring the release of individuals serving time for crimes no longer illegal, according to an ACLU survey.
Biden’s decision not to seek reelection has effectively entered him into a “lame-duck” period, historically a time when many presidents have granted clemency. Post urges Biden to use this window to cement his legacy in criminal justice reform by releasing those imprisoned for cannabis crimes.
Former President Donald Trump commuted 16 cannabis-related sentences in the weeks leading up to his 2020 reelection bid and pardoned 13 marijuana prisoners on his final day in office.
Biden, however, has yet to free any cannabis offenders despite recent commutations of 16 nonviolent drug offenders, non of which had been sentenced for cannabis-related crimes.
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The Racial Justice Imperative
Post also underscores the racial justice implications of Biden’s inaction.
Nearly half of the clemency petitions submitted to the White House are from Black individuals, many of whom have served decades for cannabis offenses.
“Many are behind bars for doing what thousands now profit from legally,” Post highlights.
With a simple stroke of his pen, President Biden has the power to right this injustice—but time is running out. Making good on his promise will solidify his standing as a coherent politician committed to cannabis and criminal justice reform.
Half-Steps Highlight Injustices
Over the weekend, cannabis reform advocates launched a campaign to support Edwin Rubis, who has served 27 years of a 40-year sentence for nonviolent cannabis-related charges.
Groups like Beard Bros Pharm are urging Biden to grant Rubis a full pardon, underscoring the broader issue of unfulfilled promises on criminal justice reform.
Despite Biden’s prior cannabis pardons, Rubis and thousands like him remain behind bars, symbolizing the unfinished work in cannabis reform and clemency.
Photo: Adam Schultz on Wikimedia Commons and David Smart on Shutterstock
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“}]] Stephen Post of the Last Prisoner Project calls on Biden to fulfill his promise to pardon cannabis offenders before leaving office. Read More