Biden pardons low-level marijuana offenders

• The Biden Administration announced a new set of pardons on Friday morning.
• The pardons target marijuana possession, attempted possession, and use charges.

President Joe Biden just pardoned all low-level federal and Washington, DC-based marijuana offenders.

The White House announced the decision in a release Friday morning "Granting Pardon for the Offense of Simple Possession of Marijuana, Attempted Simple Possession of Marijuana, or Use of Marijuana."

The proclamation notes the pardon is for anyone who violated federal codes prohibiting "simple possession of marijuana or attempted simple possession of marijuana," similar laws in Washington, DC, or for "simple possession or use of marijuana on Federal properties or installations."

"My intent by this proclamation is to pardon only the offenses of simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana in violation of the Federal and D.C. laws," Biden wrote.

The president added that "convictions for simple possession of marijuana have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities."

The pardon does not apply to any non-US citizens or people in the country without federal permission.

Friday's pardon comes more than a year after the president pardoned who "committed the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act."

Despite Biden's recent marijuana-based pardons, his administration let go of several staffers at the beginning of his presidency in part for marijuana use.

In March 2021, then-White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced the Biden Administration had fired five staffers for prior drug use, including marijuana. Her press conference on the topic arose just one day after a Daily Beast report said "dozens'" of White House staffers had been disciplined after disclosing their past marijuana use.