Pres. Biden launches administrative review of marijuana

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - In a statement this Thursday, President Joe Biden launched an administrative review of Marijuana.

For further context, the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug. This review leaves open the opportunity for both rescheduling and descheduling (i.e. decriminalizing) marijuana.

Although rescheduling could reduce barriers to medical access, it would generally leave federal prohibition in place.

Additionally, marijuana advocates have long argued for descheduling marijuana to rectify the state/federal conflict.

Not only that, this will rectify and maintain the market controls states enacted to promote public health and improve public safety.

President Biden pardons jailed marijuana users

Furthermore, President Biden also announced "a pardon of all prior Federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana.

This move will provide relief to thousands of people serving sentences for possessing marijuana. Biden also urges governors to do the same regarding to state charges.

NORML Acting Co-Director offers a statement

Following this news, Arizona NORML Acting Co-Director Jon Udell offers the following statement:

"Although President Biden’s announcement today does not end the stain of federal prohibition, it could be a significant step in that direction. We applaud the President’s long-overdue application of common sense to federal drug policy and hope our country will finally end the long-running joke of medical marijuana patients being treated no differently than heroin addicts in the eyes of federal law.

We are also encouraged by the President’s decision to pardon thousands of cannabis consumers. From hosting sixty expungement clinics, we know too well the collateral consequences that cannabis convictions bring, as well as the economic inefficiencies they produce for society at large."

Not only that, NORML calls on Governor Doug Ducey and Attorney General Mark Brnovich to end Arizona's war on cannabis.