Biden to PARDON all federal cases of ‘simple’ marijuana possession

President Joe Biden announced he will pardon thousands of Americans convicted of “simple” marijuana possession with less than five weeks until the midterms and five more states considering legalization in November.

White House officials said more than 6,500 people would be affected by the pardon, along with thousands under a similar DC law that is also part of Biden’s order.

“Sending people to jail for marijuana possession has turned too many lives upside down and locked people up for behavior that many states no longer prohibit,” the president said.

Biden also urges governors to do the same for state convictions.

In addition, Biden has the Department of Health and Human Services and Attorney General Merrick Garland “urgently assess” how marijuana is planned under federal law.

Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug — alongside heroin and ecstasy — despite being legal for medicinal and recreational use in many states.

“As I’ve said many times during my presidential campaign, no one should be in prison just for using or possessing marijuana,” Biden said in a statement.

Under federal law, marijuana remains a Schedule 1 drug, and simple possession of marijuana carries a $1,000 fine and up to one year in prison for first-time offenders

“Too many lives have been turned upside down because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time we right these mistakes,” the president added.

The DOJ will be tasked with providing individuals with a certificate recognizing their pardon.

Officials also said no one is currently in prison on charges of marijuana possession alone.

“Simple” marijuana possession is considered a Class A misdemeanor with a $1,000 fine and up to one year in prison for a first-time offender.

The policy change comes a month and two days before the midterm elections.

Congressmen have been working on this issue, but that effort has stalled and we are nearing the end of Congress. So the president has considered his options and is now taking executive action to address the country’s failed approach to marijuana,” a senior government official replied when asked about the timing.

It could make a difference in some key races where Democrats have to point to progress to win.

For example, Democratic Senate hopeful John Fetterman in Pennsylvania called on Biden to take marijuana off the agenda, with the aim of decriminalizing it nationally, before appearing alongside the president over Labor Day weekend.

In the past, Biden has expressed reservations about making marijuana fully legal.

In addition, on Nov. 8, voters in five states — Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota — will decide whether to legalize marijuana for those over 21.

They would join 19 states that have already legalized recreational weed.

Democrats are more in favor of legalizing the pot than their Republican counterparts, recent polls show.

In a Politico poll earlier this week, 60 percent of respondents said they were in favor of legalizing marijuana nationally. Another 27 percent said no.

When political parties were counted, 71 percent of Democrats said they were pro-national legalization, compared to 47 percent of Republicans.