Ohio Attorney General: Biden’s marijuana pardon is ‘cynical abuse of pardon power’

Pardoning President Joe Biden to Americans with federal convictions for simple marijuana possession is an abuse of his power and a cynical ploy before the midterm elections, Ohio’s Republican Attorney General said.

Dave Yost said Biden’s announcement on Thursday displayed an “astonishing level of cynicism” — given that it was 34 days before the election and he could have done it at any time.

Biden urged state governors to follow suit when he issued a general pardon that will quash convictions for about 6,500 Americans and ordered a review to examine whether marijuana should still be considered a Schedule I drug. .

“I called for marijuana reclassification in 2015,” Yost tweeted.

This move may make sense in individual cases, but Biden’s general pardon 34 days before an election is the most political, cynical abuse of pardon power in history.

‘To be very clear, the statute gives a president power’ [to] administratively reclassify marijuana.

“President Obama or President Biden could have done this literally at any time. To abuse the power of grace in this way on the brink of an election is an astonishing degree of cynicism.’

Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parson said he would not remove low-level marijuana convictions in his state.

A spokesperson told the Springfield News-Leader: “In Missouri, people with criminal records can file for deferral under state law.

‘Governor. Parson has used his constitutional authority of the state to pardon individuals who demonstrate lifestyle changes, commitment to rehabilitation, remorse and contribution to their communities – rather than as a general approach to undermine existing law.”

However, some Republicans agreed with Biden. GOP Rep. Nancy Mace told Fox Business, “I want to give credit where credit is due. I don’t always agree with the Biden administration, I’ve been very vocal about that, but this is a step in the right direction.”

Matt Gaetz tweeted: ‘The @WhiteHouse is finally taking my advice. I called Sleepy Joe months ago! Now it’s time to do what you said you would and DECRIMINALIZE!’

“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.

White House officials also made it clear that no one could be prosecuted at the federal level for this crime after Thursday.

Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug — alongside heroin and ecstasy, and above fentanyl and cocaine — 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.

The president pointed to the racial disparities, noting how white, black and brown people use the drug at similar rates, and that black and brown people are more likely to be arrested and charged.

“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.

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.

“This is a BFD and a huge step towards justice,” Fetterman said in a statement on Thursday.

Fetterman – involved in one of the tightest Senate races – was warned by the White House about the plan, Politico reported:.

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 Morning Consult/Politico survey released 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.