Presidential Marijuana Pardon Applications Still Unavailable Months After White House Announcement

Washington, DC - January 25, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is urging the Biden Administration to expeditiously move forward on its promise to provide pardons for low-level federal marijuana convictions.

The President announced the issuance of pardons for low-level marijuana-specific convictions on October 6, 2022 as part of a widely supported set of actions critical of federal prohibition. Thousands of people with federal convictions for simple marijuana possession are eligible for pardons, which would help to alleviate many of the collateral consequences associated with having a criminal record.

However, more than three months later, the Department of Justice pardon website indicates that the applications to obtain a pardon certificate are still unavailable.

"We are grateful that President Biden recognizes the failure of marijuana prohibition and has done more to address the harms it has caused than any past administration," said NORML Political Director Morgan Fox. "While the White House rightfully cites these pardons as a major accomplishment, those who could benefit from them continue to face undue difficulties obtaining employment, housing, education, and other vital services while these pardon certificates remain unavailable. Many of the people who are eligible for these pardons have been waiting years for relief. They shouldn't have to wait any longer."

As part of the President's announcement, Biden urged governors to facilitate conviction relief for people with state-level marijuana charges, and called for a review of the Schedule 1 status of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.

According to publicly available data compiled by NORML, state and local officials have issued over 100,000 pardons and more than 1.7 million marijuana-related expungements since 2018.

NORML advocates for changes in public policy so that the responsible possession and use of marijuana by adults is no longer subject to criminal penalties. NORML further advocates for a regulated commercial cannabis market so that activities involving the for-profit production and retail sale of cannabis and cannabis products are safe, transparent, consumer-friendly, and are subject to state and/or local licensure. Finally, NORML advocates for additional changes in legal and regulatory policies so that those who use marijuana responsibly no longer face either social stigma or workplace discrimination, and so that those with past criminal records for marijuana-related violations have the opportunity to have their records automatically expunged.

Find out more at norml.org and read the NORML Fact Sheets on the most common misconceptions and myths regarding cannabis and cannabis policies.

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