Biden’s Pardon Wave: Can It Transform the Landscape of Justice?

 President Joe Biden has issued a sweeping pardon for thousands of people convicted of marijuana-related offenses on federal lands and in the District of Columbia, in a historic gesture aimed at addressing racial disparities in the justice system. 

This executive action, announced by the White House on Friday, represents a critical step toward delivering the goal of equal justice by addressing the lasting consequences of the failing marijuana policy. Biden’s Pardon Wave has the power to reshape the landscape of American justice.

President Joe Biden’s categorical pardon comes on the heels of a previous round of executive clemencies soon before the 2022 midterm elections. The last wave concentrated on people convicted of mere possession of federal lands, making them eligible for pardons. The most recent decision broadens the scope, covering more marijuana-related criminal charges, making an even bigger population eligible for expungement of their convictions.

One of the primary motivations for granting pardons is to address racial inequities in the criminal system. In a statement, President Biden stated that criminal records for marijuana use and possession have created unneeded impediments to job, housing, and educational opportunities. By issuing pardons, the administration hopes to remedy these wrongs and provide a route for people to rebuild their lives free of the encumbrance of previous convictions.