Early afternoon October 6, 2022 my usually quiet phone suddenly became very noisy. First came the news that President Biden is going to pardon all federal offenses of simple Marijuana possession. After the news spread a bit, I was asked over and over if Washington state Federal Plant Prisoner Lance Gloor was being freed. It didn’t feel good to have to deliver the news that neither Lance Gloor nor anyone else who is currently federally imprisoned for Cannabis would not be freed by Biden’s proclamation. The headlines that came out that day weren’t always clear, in fact they were really misleading! Many people are confused and do not understand what the Presidential proclamation really means, myself included. So as soon as I was able, I sought to find answers.
The US Department of Justice quickly had a page up on their website going over the proclamation Biden delivered to the country that day. On October 6, 2022, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation that pardons federal convictions for simple marijuana possession offenses. The proclamation applies only to federal convictions, including D.C. Code offenses, and does not apply to convictions under state or local law.
https://www.justice.gov/pardon/presidential-proclamation-marijuana-possession
Biden’s proclamation will positively affect more than 6,500 people who were convicted on a federal misdemeanor ‘simple possession’ of marijuana charge, as well as those charged and convicted under Washington D.C. law. Amazingly, the proclamation has no effect on those convicted under state or local laws! Biden has encouraged state governors to follow his lead, but we will see if any actually do. Those who will receive a presidential pardon will have their social disabilities removed. They’ll be able to vote again, hold public office, sit on a jury, have an easier time obtaining licenses, bonding and gaining employment. A pardon signifies the president’s forgiveness. It is not an indication of innocence, and will not expunge the conviction. Eligible persons for a pardon should check the DOJ website for the pardon application.
It is important to note that anyone charged and convicted for federal simple possession of the plant after October 6, 2022 will not be eligible for a pardon, would face up to 1 year of incarceration, and a fine of up to $1000 on a first offense. The President’s proclamation does nothing to help free Federal Plant Prisoners Lance Gloor, Donald Fuggitt, Luke Scarmazzo, Raquel Esquivel, Parker Coleman, Ferrell Scott, Pedro Moreno, Ismael Moreno, Daniel Longoria, Travis Longoria, Jose Cervantes, Gabriel Daniel Gomez, and countless others. The proclamation does nothing for Jonathan Wall and others currently awaiting sentencing on the federal level. Those who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents who were convicted of federal simple possession of Marijuana aren’t eligible for a pardon either.
While I am happy to see this positive step and for those who will receive a pardon, I don’t feel that this is nearly enough. I have come under fire for expressing my views, and for pointing out facts that I’ve written about here. I don’t say these things to attack Biden, I say them because we need to demand more. After years of advocating for Lance Gloor and other Plant Prisoners, I realize that I have different experiences from most other people. It is heartbreaking when I hear from families of prisoners about how their loved ones’ injustice has torn their family apart, as well as causing unnecessary hardship and tremendous stress. I feel deeply for these prisoners and their families. I want their living nightmares to end, and I don’t want this to happen to anyone else!
The truth is that prohibition was created from lies in order to generate obscene profits for corporations. Biden has done much damage during his time serving in government in the past. His 1994 crime bill imposed tougher prison sentences at the federal level and encouraged states to do the same. That bill provided funds for states to build more prisons, and backed grant programs for law enforcement to carry out more drug related arrests. The crime bill also banned incarcerated people from receiving Pell grants for education, which caused hundreds of academic and vocational programs for prisoners to be shut down across the nation. Thank goodness Congress reversed the Pell Grant ban for prisoners in 2021! The Department of Education has until July 2023 to restore the grant for incarcerated students.
On the campaign trail Biden made promise after promise to decriminalize cannabis and automatically expunge marijuana conventions. Time to really walk your talk Joe!
With Biden holding the office of President of the United States of America, he could do a lot more to end federal prohibition on a global scale. I think he should do more! While addressing the nation, Biden stated that he was calling for a review to either deschedule or reschedule. I am skeptical about any government that has kept a non-toxic, medicinal plant as a schedule one drug (ignoring the science and facts for decades) will suddenly deschedule the plant. There are synthetic cannabinoids that are FDA approved for medicinal use, while the organic plant remains defined as a drug with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse as defined in the United States drug scheduling laws.
Will the government suddenly right the wrongs of the past? I’m doubtful. Afterall prohibition began as a conspiracy to protect business interests with no regard for the people. Even today, cannabis prohibition is maintained to a degree even where the plant has some form of legalization.
I urge everyone who feels it’s beyond time that prohibition ends, to take action now. How many more generations are we willing to pass down the multiple injustices prohibition causes? How many more lives are we willing to allow to be lost, destroyed, or needlessly suffer due to prohibition?
Please contact the White House and your representatives and politely urge them to completely remove Marijuana as a controlled substance, set all nonviolent marijuana offenders free, and to repeal all marijuana criminal laws. I know it’s easy for many to think their voice doesn’t matter, but I have seen and even participated in many calls to action that have been successful. If the people who represent you don’t hear from you, it’s easy for them to assume you are in agreement with what they are or aren’t doing.
Like Activist Alex Gentry says…”Baby steps are for babies.”
https://instagram.com/cannarchist?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
For the love of the plant and humanity, let’s end this.