Biden pardons more marijuana offenses in D.C., expanding 2022 clemency

initiative

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden granted clemency to a larger number of marijuana convictions in the District of Columbia, expanding his clemency initiative from earlier this year.

In February, Biden commuted sentences and pardoned convictions for dozens of nonviolent offenses related to marijuana in the District, all of which were committed before the District decriminalized recreational use in 2014.

The new pardons come as the White House expands a clemency initiative announced earlier this year for federal offenders with non-violent marijuana convictions, particularly those who have served time in prison. The move is part of the Biden administration’s broader effort to reverse tough-on-crime policies from the past that disproportionately impacted communities of color.

The review process for the pardons was conducted in partnership with the House-Senate D.C. Clemency Task Force, which included representatives from the mayor’s office and D.C.’s congressional delegation.

“Today’s pardons will aid in restoring justice and equity to those individuals, their families, and their communities,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. “The President is committed to continuing his efforts to use his clemency powers to right the wrongs of our broken criminal justice system.”