Why President Biden's executive action matters—to all of us
President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that he intends to pardon thousands of people who had been found guilty of nonviolent marijuana possession under federal law. Biden also said he would urge governors to take similar steps with regard to state offenses.
In addition, he has taken the first step toward possibly easing a federal classification that currently places marijuana in the same category as heroin and LSD by directing the Department of Health and Human Services and Attorney General Merrick Garland to "expeditiously" review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.
The federal government's stance on marijuana regulation has changed significantly, and those who have been convicted of nonviolent crimes should feel the effects strongly. It should make it easier for them to find employment, housing, and education—and provide for their families.
Decriminalizing Marijuana is a Step Towards Justice
Between 2001 and 2010, over 7 million people were busted for having pot. Possessing a marijuana-related criminal record creates significant barriers to employment, housing, and education opportunities - which in turn affects an individual's ability to support themselves and their family. Decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level is the first step towards justice for those who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.
On the whole, the "War on Drugs" failed its noble purpose. Not only has it cost American taxpayers billions of dollars, it led to the imprisonment of millions of people—many of whom are non-violent offenders. People of color have been hit the hardest; for example, according to the ACLU, black Americans are 3.64 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white Americans, despite being no more likely to use or sell the drug. This disparity is even higher in some states; in Illinois, black Americans are 7.5 times more likely to be arrested for possession than their white counterparts.
These disparities exist in large part because communities of color are often disproportionately targeted for enforcement of drug laws. A study of NYPD stop-and-frisk data found that people of color were nearly nine times more likely to be stopped and frisked for suspected drug activity than white people, despite being no more likely to be in possession of drugs. Another study found that in Philadelphia, police were 50 percent more likely to stop and frisk black pedestrians than white pedestrians. These racial biases persist even when controlling for other factors such as age, gender, and location.
Decriminalizing marijuana would help address these disparities by reducing the number of people who are arrested and incarcerated for possession of the drug.
How Decriminalizing Marijuana Can Benefit Communities
The past few years have seen a major cultural shift in the way Americans view marijuana. For too long, the plant had been demonized by politicians and special interest groups, leading to millions of people being incarcerated for nonviolent offenses. But now, finally, it seems like lasting change might be on the horizon. Several states have already decriminalized or legalized marijuana, and with Biden's announcement comes significant changes at the federal level.
This is not just a matter of justice. Everyone deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of their past. By decriminalizing marijuana, we can begin to right some of the wrongs of the War on Drugs and move towards a more just and equitable society.
It's time for a change, and this would be a major step in the right direction. It would allow those with nonviolent offenses to put their lives back together and rebuild their families. It would also help ease overcrowding in our prisons and reduce spending on law enforcement and incarceration.
Most importantly, decriminalizing marijuana would provide hope to those who have lost everything because of one mistake. Everyone deserves a second chance, and by decriminalizing marijuana we can give people that chance. We can begin to heal the wounds of the past and build a better future for everyone involved.
Reuniting Families
One of the most devastating effects of mass incarceration is the way it tears families apart. According to a report from The Sentencing Project, nearly 2.7 million children in the United States have a parent who is behind bars—and that number doesn't even include children whose parents are on probation or parole. Pardoning nonviolent marijuana convictions would help to reunite some of these families and make it easier for parents to re-enter society and provide for their loved ones.
Providing Opportunities for Gainful Employment
Having a criminal record can make it virtually impossible to find gainful employment—and that's especially true for nonviolent offenders. In many states, employers can legally discriminate against applicants with criminal records, which means that people with even minor offenses on their record may never get a fair chance at finding a job. Pardoning nonviolent marijuana convictions would open up opportunities for gainful employment and help break the cycle of poverty that so many Americans find themselves trapped in.
Removing Barriers to Educational Opportunities
While we're on the topic of employment, it's worth mentioning that having a criminal record can also make it difficult to obtain an education or professional license. For example, people with nonviolent marijuana convictions may be denied financial aid or student loans, which effectively bars them from attending college. Pardoning these convictions would remove some of these barriers and give people a better shot at achieving their dreams.
Thursday's news is good news for our communities and our country. Not only would it reduce the number of arrests and incarceration rates, it would also provide opportunities for those with previous nonviolent convictions to find employment and housing—giving them a chance to lead successful lives and deepen their connections with their communities.