A coalition of U.S. lawmakers, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), has called on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to take additional action on federal marijuana reform before their administration concludes.
In a bicameral letter, the lawmakers commended the administration’s progress on marijuana policy but urged further steps, including expanded clemency and updated prosecutorial guidelines.
READ: President-Elect Trump Nominates Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister To Lead DEA
The Biden-Harris administration has taken steps to address marijuana criminalization, including pardons for individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession and moving to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
However, the lawmakers emphasized that rescheduling alone would not end federal criminalization or resolve the broader impacts of outdated marijuana policies.
Rescheduling marijuana and the prior round of pardons must not be the end of this Administration’s historic work to use its executive authority to undo the damage of federal marijuana policy,” wrote the lawmakers. “As we continue to work toward legislation to end the federal criminalization of marijuana and to regulate it responsibly and equitably, we urge prompt administrative action to tackle the harms of criminalization — particularly for the benefit of communities most harmed by the War on Drugs.”
READ: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Calls To Ban One Of Big Pharma’s Most Powerful Tools Rattle Drugmakers
“Possession and use of recreational marijuana — and much state-legal medical marijuana — will continue to be a violation of federal law. The Biden Administration has the opportunity to further reduce the harms of marijuana’s criminalization before the end of this Administration,” wrote the lawmakers.
The letter outlined several immediate actions the administration should take:
- Expanded Clemency: Issue additional pardons and commutations for individuals with marijuana-related convictions, particularly those serving lengthy sentences.
- Updated Prosecutorial Guidance: Revise the Obama-era “Cole Memo” to deprioritize federal prosecution of marijuana offenses that have been pardoned or comply with state or tribal laws.
- Encouraging State Action: Urge state governors to expand marijuana clemency and decriminalize low-level marijuana offenses under state law.
“The Drug Policy Alliance proudly stands with federal policymakers in calling on the Biden Administration to expand clemency and issue an updated memorandum on federal enforcement priorities,” said Cat Packer, Director of Drug Markets and Legal Regulation for the Drug Policy Alliance. “The devastating and enduring impacts of cannabis criminalization demand urgent action. While these measures are not a replacement for the ultimate goal of ending marijuana criminalization, they represent immediate and impactful steps to reduce the harms of the status quo.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.