Biden commutes nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug sentences; marijuana impact unclear

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President Joe Biden on Friday commuted the sentences of almost 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders locked up in federal prisons.

The White House issued a short statement that did not identify individuals impacted nor specify if marijuana-related offenders were included.

“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in his statement.

The marijuana industry has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration for not commuting the sentences of those imprisoned for nonviolent marijuana offenses.

Commutations fall short, cannabis industry says

Marijuana reform activists welcomed the move but urged Biden to do more.

“We applaud President Biden’s commutations for those who suffered excessive sentences for drug offenses,” said Sarah Gersten, executive director of the Last Prisoner Project.

“This clemency signifies a recognition that we should not continue to punish individuals for outdated laws we now recognize as unjust.

“Now it’s time to do the same for the thousands of other individuals still serving lengthy federal prison sentences for cannabis.”

Anthony Alegrete, co-founder and chief operations officer of the Los Angeles-based 40 Tons social justice-focused cannabis lifestyle brand, agreed that more needs to be done.

“I’m deeply grateful to see President Biden grant 2,500 commutations for nonviolent drug offenders – this is such an important step toward justice and healing for so many families,” Alegrete said in a statement to MJBizDaily.

“At the same time, my heart is with our nonviolent cannabis offenders like Edwin Rubis, Parker Coleman, Mohamed Taher, and so many others who are still waiting for their second chance.

“I hope to see them included in this progress soon, as no one should remain behind bars for something that is now legal in so many places.”

Biden’s previous pardons

On two occasions during his presidency, Biden issued pardon proclamations for those convicted of federal marijuana possession offenses.

Estimates provided by the U.S. Sentencing Commission suggested that nearly 7,000 Americans with low-level federal marijuana-related convictions were eligible for relief under the directives.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an online portal for eligible applicants to apply to receive hard copies of their pardon certificates.

Biden said in the statement that the commutations were targeted toward people “serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice.”

The outgoing president’s action comes after his December commutation of sentences for 37 death row inmates, 39 nonviolent prisoners and some 1,500 prisoners who were transferred from to home confinement during COVID-19.

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