Biden's clemency move on marijuana is just the beginning of broader reforms

The sentences of 75 people who were serving time at home because of the Pandemic were commuted last week by President Joe Biden, who granted clemency to dozens of people with non-violent federal drug convictions. He also issued three pardons.

America is a nation of laws and second chances, redemption and rehabilitation, Biden said. Faith leaders, civil rights advocates, and law enforcement leaders agree that our criminal justice system can and should reflect core values that enable safer and stronger communities. During Second Chance Month, I am using my authority under the Constitution to uphold those values by pardoning and commuting the sentences of fellow Americans. The cannabis industry's opinions on this move were divided, but many praised the action, believing that this was just the beginning of broader reforms to come. The industry was expecting more, according to Jacob Plowden, New York's director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. He called Biden's clemency a bait and switch of promises geared toward federal legalization. The clemency move for other reasons was condemned by the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell R-KY, attacking the action in general, on the basis of the clemency move.

The Senate floor said last week a crime spree is coming from a small minority of Louisville residents, adding that this is a nationwide problem due to President Biden's failure to secure our borders. McConnell said that we need officials at all levels to back blue, crack down on crime, and reestablish law and order. The Biden Administration gives us the opposite. He went on to attack Biden's decision to commute the sentences of incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses.

The President has issued a giant catalog of pardons and commutations, cutting sentence after sentence, particularly for convicted drug criminals, McConnell said. They never miss an opportunity to send the wrong signal. And until federal, state, and local Democrats get with the program, innocent people in Louisville and across the country will continue to suffer. What is Biden stance on legalization of cannabis?

During his 2020 presidential campaign, Biden repeatedly said he wanted to see marijuana decriminalized and prior cannabis convictions automatically expunged.

Americans have seen neither in a full year in the Oval Office.

The president has been under pressure from all sides, but he hasn't budged despite numerous letters from marijuana advocates, lawmakers, celebrities, and those who have been, and still are, negatively affected by the war on drugs, including those who are behind bars for marijuana-related convictions.

Is it possible that granting clemency was the first step towards broader reform and the actions Biden promised during his campaign? The Senate needs to get 60 votes to pass the bill before it gets to the President's desk. If all Democrats approve it, it would need at least 10 votes from Republicans, which many industry experts don't believe is possible. Seeing that some Republicans don't even support these baby steps like clemency action, it appears that cannabis industry veterans could be right to say that reform is not happening as quickly as many had hoped.