Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana possession under federal law in big step towards decriminalization

President Biden will pardon thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana as his in a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug.

“No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana,” Biden said.

Decrying longtime practices in the so-called war on drugs that have disproportionately targeted people of color, Biden on Thursday also called on governors to issue similar pardons for possession of weed.

“Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana,” Biden said. “It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

Biden said many otherwise law-abiding Americans are locked out of jobs, housing and even educational opportunities due to minor marijuana possession convictions.

“My action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions,” he said.

Biden is also directing the secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. attorney general to review how marijuana is considered under federal drug laws.

Progressives cheered the move.

Rep. Jamal Bowman (D-N.Y.) tweeted that Biden’s action “brings us one step closer to restoring justice and humanity for people convicted of something so trivial.”

The move is the latest executive action by Biden designed to take action on issues that a deeply Congress either cannot or will not take.

Just last month, Biden canceled up to $20,000 in student loan debt, a popular move, especially among young people who find themselves burdened with crippling debt after graduating from college.

He has also sought to defend abortion rights in the face of an onslaught of restrictions in Republican-controlled states after the Supreme Court rolled back the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

With the midterm elections looming in less than four weeks, Biden is eager to show Democratic voters that he can deliver on issues that the party’s base cares deeply about.

Marijuana legalization was once a fringe issue that Republicans often used as a wedge issue to portray Democrats as soft on crime.

But public opinion has shifted dramatically, which a large majority of Americans supporting decriminalizing the drug and ending prosecutions for possession, steps that could free up law enforcement to fight serious crimes.

Progressive Democrats increasingly see marijuana legalization as a racial justice issue, as the war on drugs disproportionately led to the imprisonment of people of color in urban America.