Thursday 6 October 2022 08:16 PM Biden to PARDON all federal cases of 'simple' marijuana possession trends now Biden goes soft on marijuana before the midterms: President pardons thousands with federal convictions for 'simple' possession - as five states put legalization on ballot President Joe Biden 's administration announced Thursday that he will pardon all Americans with prior offenses of simple marijuana possession Biden is also urging governors to do the same for state convictions Biden is having HHS and Attorney General Merrick Garland 'review expeditiously' how marijuana is scheduled under federal law Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug - despite it being legal for medicinal and recreational use in many states By Nikki Schwab, Senior U.S. Political Reporter Published: 20:02 BST, 6 October 2022 | Updated: 20:14 BST, 6 October 2022 8 Viewcomments President Joe Biden's administration announced Thursday that he will pardon all Americans with prior offenses of simple marijuana possession. Biden is also urging governors to do the same for state convictions. Additionally, Biden is having the Department of Health and Human Services and Attorney General Merrick Garland 'review expeditiously' how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug - alongside heroin and ecstasy - despite is being legal for medicinal and recreational use in many states. 'As I often said during my campaign for President, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana,' Biden said in a statement. 'Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit.' President Joe Biden 's administration announced Thursday that he will pardon all Americans with prior offenses of simple marijuana possession 'Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It's time that we right these wrongs,' the president added. White House officials said more than 65,000 people would be impacted by the pardons, along with thousands under a similar D.C. law that is also part of Biden's order. The DOJ will be tasked with getting individuals a certificate acknowledging their pardon. Officials also said that no one is currently in prison solely on an marijuana possession charge. 'Simple' marijuana possession is considered a Class A Misdemeanor that carries a $1,000 and up to a year in prison for a first-time offender. The policy change comes a month and two days before the midterm elections. Previously, Democratic Pennsylvania Senate hopeful John Fetterman called on Biden to deschedule marijuana, with the aim of decriminalizing nationally. In the past, Biden has expressed reservations about making marijuana fully legal. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility