BY ANTHONY GUERRERO
Last Friday, The White House Youtube Channel uploaded a video called “President Biden on Marijuana Reform,” where Biden talks of a 3 step plan to fix current laws on Marijuana. One of these steps is forgiving everyone who has had possession of marijuana.
“First, I’m announcing a pardon for all prior federal offenses for the simple possession of marijuana,” Biden said. “There are thousands of people who are convicted for marijuana possession, who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result of that conviction.”
Bidens next two steps are of asking governors to follow his lead and pardon state offenses of marijuana possession, along with asking the federal government to evaluate how the drug is classified because in the same category as heroin, LSD, and fentanyl.
“I’m asking the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the attorney general to initiate a process to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law,” Biden said, further clarifying that restriction on marketing and underage sales continue to hold.
Briana Johnson, director of communications for Governor Laura Kelly, said to 27 news, “Governor Kelly is focused on legalizing medical marijuana so that Kansans with severe illnesses no longer have to suffer. She will continue to consider all clemency and pardon requests based on a complete and thorough review of the individual cases.”
Kelly speaking to 27 news, said she’d push for the legalization of medical marijuana in Kansas but didn’t note the recreational use of it.
Morgan Fox, the political director of the National Organization for the Reform of 9Marijuana Laws, spoke to Business Insider that despite Biden’s efforts at marijuana reform, it wouldn’t impact many simple possession cases in the states.
“Clearly, there is quite a bit more work to do, particularly when you look at the fact that the vast majority of marijuana arrests occur at the state and local level,” Fox said while still admiring Biden’s plan for change.
Kelly seems to be cooperating with Biden’s plan to reform marijuana laws. Policy expert Fox’s comments on Biden’s plan reveal that state and local offenses, which make up most offenses, will come down to Kelly’s approach to marijuana reform in Kansas.
Kansas resident Julian Mayagoitia is on board for the pardoning of simple possession but remains skeptical about the timing.
“I do completely agree that we should pardon federal charges on marijuana for people that have caught simple positions,” Mayagoitia said. “Public opinion on Biden isn’t exactly the best, so he’s attempting to do something to sway people into liking him a little bit more.”
Although thinking that Biden’s efforts are more for political gain than for the people, Mayagoitia is hopeful to see Kelly go along with the reform plan.
“I would like to see that, especially with the number of people that get arrested for simple possession charges here in Kansas,” Mayagoitia said. “It’s really a victimless crime.”