FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 6, 2022

Contact: Violet Cavendish
vcavendish@mpp.org

Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, it was announced that President Biden will pardon all prior federal offenses of simple cannabis possession while calling on governors to pardon simple state cannabis possession offenses. Furthermore, he announced that he will be initiating an administrative review of federal cannabis scheduling to determine whether cannabis should remain classified as a Schedule I drug.

Following this news, Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, released the following statement:

“MPP is grateful for the action President Biden has taken today, which is a historic step forward towards reducing the lasting harm from the failed war on cannabis that has disproportionately impacted Black and Brown people and economically challenged communities across the country. Not only will thousands of lives be improved by removing this burden, but it also sends a powerful message to states that it is time to end prohibition and give people the tools they need to live full productive lives without the shackles of the criminal justice system. 

“This news will generate continued momentum in the five states where cannabis is on the ballot in November and should our advocates on the ground be successful, half of all states in our nation will have legalized cannabis.”

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Founded in 1995, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization. MPP has played a central role in passing dozens of cannabis policy reforms in states across the country, including 14 successful cannabis legalization campaigns, and also works to advance federal reforms.

Visit www.mpp.org for more information.