US President Joe Biden on Thursday pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of marijuana possession, taking a major new step toward destigmatizing the drug -- and fulfilling a promise he made to his supporters a month before the midterm elections. This is reported by AFP.
"I am announcing a pardon for all prior federal offenses related to habitual possession of marijuana," Biden said.
He stopped short of calling for the full decriminalization of cannabis, saying "restrictions on trade, marketing and sales to minors should remain in place."
Instead, the president focused on personal possession of the substance, which state health officials estimate was used by at least 18 percent of the population in 2019 -- and which is already legalized by several state governments for recreational or medical purposes.
In addition to the pardon, Biden directed the Departments of Justice and Health to determine whether cannabis should be reclassified as a less dangerous substance.
Officials told reporters that about 6,500 people have been convicted under federal marijuana laws. The pardon will be extended to thousands of other convicts under the laws in the federal capital, Washington.
