Biden Pardons Everybody

[ClydeR]

WASHINGTON — President Biden on Thursday pardoned thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law and said his administration would review whether marijuana should still be in the same legal category as drugs like heroin and LSD.

The pardons will clear everyone convicted on federal charges of simple possession since it became a crime in the 1970s. Officials said full data was not available but noted that about 6,500 people were convicted of simple possession between 1992 and 2021, not counting legal permanent residents. The pardons will also affect people who were convicted under District of Columbia drug laws; officials estimated that number to be in the thousands.

More... (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/us/politics/biden-marijuana-pardon.html)

Two obvious questions. First, is Biden being soft on crime or just adapting to realities? Second, since this does not affect people convicted of similar crimes under state laws, will and should state governors follow Biden's example?

[~Rocktar~]

Most are in there because of the Crime Bill that he pushed through back in the 80s. And no, they should not. It's all just another vote buying scheme.

[Orthin]

Most are in there because of the Crime Bill that he pushed through back in the 80s. And no, they should not. It's all just another vote buying scheme.

If it paves the way for removing MJ as a schedule 1 and moves it under the same standards as cigs/alc I am all for it. It doesn't wash away his sins by any means but I am all for MJ not being a federal no-no anymore and would support any dem/rep/ind who is looking to go that route.

[Neveragain]

Two obvious questions. First, is Biden being soft on crime or just adapting to realities? Second, since this does not affect people convicted of similar crimes under state laws, will and should state governors follow Biden's example?

Biden could use an executive order to reschedule cannabis.

Why didn't he?

[Gelston]

The vast majority of marijuana related convictions aren't federal though. Honestly, he should just reschedule it to schedule 4 or 5.

[Bhaalizmo]

Every president since the DEA was created could use an executive order to reschedule cannabis.

Why didn't they?

Fixed that for you

[Bhaalizmo]

If it paves the way for removing MJ as a schedule 1 and moves it under the same standards as cigs/alc I am all for it. It doesn't wash away his sins by any means but I am all for MJ not being a federal no-no anymore and would support any dem/rep/ind who is looking to go that route.

Likewise. It's less dangerous than alcohol and certainly shouldn't be schedule 1 with heroin and pcp.

Generally, people should be free to do whatever they want with plants and the government shouldn't get to have a say in it unless you're harming others.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Legalize mushrooms!

[Shaps]

I think he's doing it for votes, but I don't disagree with the move. I'm for legalizing everything - as any rational person should understand laws harming others are already on the books - the underlying personal choice to alter your own mind shouldn't impact the punishment of that decision... ie. get drunk, kill someone - you go to prison.

If you don't harm anyone, do what you want.

The problem is... the populous at large are morons and would blame the "drug" for their actions vs. just accepting the consequences of their actions while on said drugs. That is a societal issue, not a legal one... and sadly - I doubt people would be ready to fully legalize everything, with the understanding that you will pay for any crime you commit while on drugs. People are to self-centered and would claim "it's not their fault".

Just take a look at San Francisco, Portland, etc. for a view of society actually free of the rule of law over those that wish to take drugs. It's not everyone elses job to clean up someone's mess that chooses to do shit to their bodies, yet somehow it has become that.

[Gelston]

I think everything should be legalized too. Then it can be taxed. Programs can exist completely funded by the taxes from those drugs to educate and assist people.

It'll overall be less dangerous and would probably end basically all the cartels.

[Shaps]

I think everything should be legalized too. Then it can be taxed. Programs can exist completely funded by the taxes from those drugs to educate and assist people.

It'll overall be less dangerous and would probably end basically all the cartels.

I would agree with this, if I actually believed that people would accept the punishment of any crime they commit while on drugs. Sadly I don't think they would and it would actually get worse.

Sad that responsible users have to pay for the insanity of irresponsible ones.

[Parkbandit]

I think everything should be legalized too. Then it can be taxed. Programs can exist completely funded by the taxes from those drugs to educate and assist people.

It'll overall be less dangerous and would probably end basically all the cartels.

So, fentanyl should be legalized? Cocaine, crack, PCP, ecstasy, opioids, meth, heroine, etc...?

I disagree.

[Gelston]

So, fentanyl should be legalized? Cocaine, crack, PCP, ecstasy, opioids, meth, heroine, etc...?

I disagree.

Yes, and if you don't like it, don't take them. I personally believe the illicit drug trade is far more dangerous than the drugs themselves.


I would agree with this, if I actually believed that people would accept the punishment of any crime they commit while on drugs. Sadly I don't think they would and it would actually get worse.

Sad that responsible users have to pay for the insanity of irresponsible ones.

I mean, DUI is a thing. Doesn't matter if they "accept" the punishment.

[Orthin]

I think everything should be legalized too. Then it can be taxed. Programs can exist completely funded by the taxes from those drugs to educate and assist people.

It'll overall be less dangerous and would probably end basically all the cartels.

Not to mention all the business opportunities. A new crop(s) would be entering the market that would need a place to be sold, companies to ship it etc. I definitely have a couple of acres I could swing in to the mix

[Gelston]

Not to mention all the business opportunities. A new crop(s) would be entering the market that would need a place to be sold, companies to ship it etc. I definitely have a couple of acres I could swing in to the mix

And people will go on about "omg fentanyl!"... Fentanyl is already used in anesthesia. With it all being legal, it wouldn't be mixed in deadly doses. It would all be regulated.

[Shaps]

Yes, and if you don't like it, don't take them. I personally believe the illicit drug trade is far more dangerous than the drugs themselves.



I mean, DUI is a thing. Doesn't matter if they "accept" the punishment.

I get you man, but we have actual examples of cities available that have tried it... ie. San Fran and Portland... and they've gone to utter shit. As I said, it's a societal problem not a legal one... and "society" as a whole are to self-centered to face the full consequences of their actions.

And to implement the laws/repercussions of bad behavior, you have to have people in positions of power willing to enforce them... and sadly one political party in power in a number of cities/locations are unwilling to condone such bad behavior.

[Gelston]

I get you man, but we have actual examples of cities available that have tried it... ie. San Fran and Portland... and they've gone to utter shit. As I said, it's a societal problem not a legal one... and "society" as a whole are to self-centered to face the full consequences of their actions.

And to implement the laws/repercussions of bad behavior, you have to have people in positions of power willing to enforce them... and sadly one political party in power in a number of cities/locations are unwilling to condone such bad behavior.

San Francisco and Portland have not gone to utter shit because of legalizing marijuana. They were in that state well before that.

And Denver and all of Colorado is doing just fine.

[Orthin]

San Francisco and Portland have not gone to utter shit because of legalizing marijuana. They were in that state well before that.

And Denver and all of Colorado is doing just fine.

Also it is important to note that even with state legalization those businesses still face major hurdles because it is still federally illegal. Folks have to jump through tons of hoops and be very careful and really at any moment if the fed wanted to slap it all down they could. Would there be legal challenges, I am sure. That threat is real though and if they are ruining those who can't adequately fight, no harm to foul to the fed.

[Shaps]

San Francisco and Portland have not gone to utter shit because of legalizing marijuana. They were in that state well before that.

And Denver and all of Colorado is doing just fine.

I'm not talking about marijuana... I'm talking about all the other drugs.

As for Colorado - just my opinion, but it went to shit also... lived there for some years and was amazing, they made some decisions and Denver and Colorado Springs turned into homeless central with many of the same problems as San Fran and Portland... rest of the state is great though.

You can't have an idea like "legalize everything" (which I'm for) - without the political and judicial will to stringently enforce bad behavior or actions of people while on said drugs. Just won't work. And currently, in a lot of places, that will to hold people accountable for their actions does not exist.

[Gelston]

I'm not talking about marijuana... I'm talking about all the other drugs.

As for Colorado - just my opinion, but it went to shit also... lived there for some years and was amazing, they made some decisions and Denver and Colorado Springs turned into homeless central with many of the same problems as San Fran and Portland... rest of the state is great though.

You can't have an idea like "legalize everything" (which I'm for) - without the political and judicial will to stringently enforce bad behavior or actions of people while on said drugs. Just won't work. And currently, in a lot of places, that will to hold people accountable for their actions does not exist.

k

[Parkbandit]

Yes, and if you don't like it, don't take them.

You believe that people are only affected by making all drugs legal, if they take them?

Adorable.

[Neveragain]

You believe that people are only affected by making all drugs legal, if they take them?

Adorable.

I would rank alcohol as being more lethal than cocaine.

Are you for making alcohol illegal, again?

[Bhaalizmo]

Yes, and if you don't like it, don't take them. I personally believe the illicit drug trade is far more dangerous than the drugs themselves.

Agree 100%.

[Suppressed Poet]

I would rank alcohol as being more lethal than cocaine.

We talking just 100% straight Snow White bam-bam? Yeah maybe. But you haven’t thought it through… Brown-brown can be quite lethal.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

We talking just 100% straight Snow White bam-bam? Yeah maybe. But you haven’t thought it through… Brown-brown can be quite lethal.

That's the point of legalizing, it's a known what you get... otherwise the legal seller goes out of business.

[Neveragain]

We talking just 100% straight Snow White bam-bam? Yeah maybe. But you havenÂ’t thought it throughÂ… Brown-brown can be quite lethal.

Drinking methanol is probably just as lethal.

Of course it's probably easier to tell if gunpowder has been cut into your cocaine.

[Parkbandit]

So, are there any numbers out yet on how many people this pardoned? I'm not a law enforcement expert, but a "simple possession" of marijuana... isn't that more of a local or state level offense and not a federal?

[Neveragain]

So, are there any numbers out yet on how many people this pardoned? I'm not a law enforcement expert, but a "simple possession" of marijuana... isn't that more of a local or state level offense and not a federal?

0 people are currently serving time in federal prison for simple marijuana charges, per the White House:


MR. MUNOZ: Thank you. Let’s go to Nancy Cordes at CBS.

Q Thank you. So, my question is: You mentioned that this is going to affect thousands of people. Can you be any more specific about how many people are serving time for federal marijuana possession? You know, any figures on how many people are going to be affected here.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, so we know that over 6,500 U.S. citizens over — from 1992 to 2021 were convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law. And as we said, there are thousands of more who were convicted or (inaudible) from — under D.C. code.

So there are no individuals currently in federal prison solely for simple possession of marijuana. And again, the President is calling on governors to take this action as well, because it’s important because most of the marijuana possession convictions are happening at the state level.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2022/10/06/background-press-call-on-marijuana-reform/

[Methais]

0 people are currently serving time in federal prison for simple marijuana charges, per the White House:



https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2022/10/06/background-press-call-on-marijuana-reform/

I wonder if that includes repaying any fines that were paid. With interest. Since you know, they were probably all misdemeanors with no prison time.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess no.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Biden is such a joke.

[Parkbandit]

Biden is such a joke.

You know there are people out there like Seran who heard this news and were all:

https://media1.giphy.com/media/l4HodBpDmoMA5p9bG/200w.gif?cid=82a1493bhs7kakcw09g8wtlw9gwcm83wtdac4 k6aypglc2s3&rid=200w.gif&ct=g

[Neveragain]

Biden is such a joke.

They are already walking back student loan forgiveness as well.

[Neveragain]

I wonder if that includes repaying any fines that were paid. With interest. Since you know, they were probably all misdemeanors with no prison time.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess no.

Of course they were all misdemeanors.

Democrats have nothing to offer, it's why their entire plank is identity politics.

[Methais]

Of course they were all misdemeanors.

Democrats have nothing to offer, it's why their entire plank is identity politics.

"We released everyone doing time for weed!"

"How many people was that?"

"Well none, but right now there are 0 people in federal prison for weed!"

Seran:
https://media.tenor.com/OpzbluoFYG0AAAAM/issa-rae-clapping.gif

[Suppressed Poet]

Don’t forget that Kamala Harris as California’s Attorney General sent no less than 1,560 people to prison between 2011-2016 on state charges for non-violent marijuana possession.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kriskrane/2020/08/19/a-vp-kamala-harris-would-be-a-disaster-for-marijuana-policy/?sh=55a38330c3c8

[Seran]

Of course they were all misdemeanors.

Democrats have nothing to offer, it's why their entire plank is identity politics.

Didn't take long for this thread to devolve from a discussion of drug legalization and it's impacts, to dumb, uninformed partisan attacks. Few extra thousands people having their records cleaned of misdemeanor marijuana charges? That many more people eligible for careers that'd otherwise have been denied then due to a basic DOJ background check; this is a good thing. Taking a look at the number of states fully legalizing marijuana and others just extending it to medical uses; the bible thumper response to drug use was made irrelevant ages ago.

[Seran]

Don’t forget that Kamala Harris as California’s Attorney General sent no less than 1,560 people to prison between 2011-2016 on state charges for non-violent marijuana possession.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kriskrane/2020/08/19/a-vp-kamala-harris-would-be-a-disaster-for-marijuana-policy/?sh=55a38330c3c8

You're overlooking the fact the Attorney General of California doesn't make arrests, didn't make the legislation which criminalized marijuana, and does not have prosecutorial discretion on low-level marijuana charges.

You may have missed the job description; Enforce and apply all of our laws fairly and impartially, either because you didn't research the topic (duh) or because you're incapable of rationalization before launching uninformed partisan attacks (durrr).

[Methais]

You're overlooking the fact the Attorney General of California doesn't make arrests, didn't make the legislation which criminalized marijuana, and does not have prosecutorial discretion on low-level marijuana charges.

You may have missed the job description; Enforce and apply all of our laws fairly and impartially, either because you didn't research the topic (duh) or because you're incapable of rationalization before launching uninformed partisan attacks (durrr).

Let us know which specific parts of this are false. Last I checked, withholding exculpatory evidence and keeping people imprisoned past their sentence isn't "fair and impartial," among all the other shitty things she's done.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxHORNMWPmg


Leave it to Seran to be the only person on the planet making excuses for Kamala though.

[Suppressed Poet]

You're overlooking the fact the Attorney General of California doesn't make arrests, didn't make the legislation which criminalized marijuana, and does not have prosecutorial discretion on low-level marijuana charges.

You may have missed the job description; Enforce and apply all of our laws fairly and impartially, either because you didn't research the topic (duh) or because you're incapable of rationalization before launching uninformed partisan attacks (durrr).

Since you are clearly illiterate, here is a short video of Kamala Harris being directly asked about the legalization of marijuana (for recreational use). Notice the trademark cackle and first words out of her mouth “I’m not a proponent of that.”?

https://mobile.twitter.com/WalkerBragman/status/1146174630648057859

[Shaps]

So, are there any numbers out yet on how many people this pardoned? I'm not a law enforcement expert, but a "simple possession" of marijuana... isn't that more of a local or state level offense and not a federal?

I hadn't even thought of that! Fucking brilliant...

Wow... ROFL.

Pardoning 0 people for the news headline...

Told you man.. the fucking Dems have mastered the art of lying and deceiving people. It's seriously impressive when you look at it in totality.

Nice catch.

[Seran]

Since you are clearly illiterate, here is a short video of Kamala Harris being directly asked about the legalization of marijuana (for recreational use). Notice the trademark cackle and first words out of her mouth “I’m not a proponent of that.”?

https://mobile.twitter.com/WalkerBragman/status/1146174630648057859

Aaaaaaand you obviously can't distinguish between one's sworn duties as Attorney General of California and the opinion of candidate Harris. That's okay, there's a difference you don't understand or subscribe to, that much is apparent.

But feel free to continue fooling yourself, Democrats weren't counting on your vote anyways.

[Suppressed Poet]

Aaaaaaand you obviously can't distinguish between one's sworn duties as Attorney General of California and the opinion of candidate Harris. That's okay, there's a difference you don't understand or subscribe to, that much is apparent.

But feel free to continue fooling yourself, Democrats weren't counting on your vote anyways.

Simp

[Neveragain]

But feel free to continue fooling yourself, Democrats weren't counting on your vote anyways.

Democrats can't count on anyone's vote anymore.

Except maybe clowns and pedophiles.

[Archigeek]

I hadn't even thought of that! Fucking brilliant...

Wow... ROFL.

Pardoning 0 people for the news headline...

Told you man.. the fucking Dems have mastered the art of lying and deceiving people. It's seriously impressive when you look at it in totality.

Nice catch.

A pardon means more than just getting out of prison. You guys are being deliberately obtuse, ignoring the relief of having that conviction off your record because it suits you.

[Neveragain]

A pardon means more than just getting out of prison. You guys are being deliberately obtuse, ignoring the relief of having that conviction off your record because it suits you.

Deliberately obtuse is more like cheering for this meaningless gesture while no real action is being taken.

"Nobody should go to jail for smoking marijuana!"

Takes no action to end the insanity.

Don't be a smooth brain.

[Suppressed Poet]

A pardon means more than just getting out of prison. You guys are being deliberately obtuse, ignoring the relief of having that conviction off your record because it suits you.

Do you know anyone that has been busted by a federal agent for smoking a doobie? Federal is the key word here. I sure as hell don’t. FBI tends to go after drug traffickers.

What is fairly common is a prosecutor may offer a plea deal that instead of going to trial for selling drugs to middle school kids the defendant can plead guilty to a reduced simple possession of marijuana charge. Maybe the very small percent of those people who are not career criminals find it relieving.

Lets not pretend this isn’t a meaningless political stunt that reeks of desperation aimed to inspire the young & the dumb to vote for the D.

[Parkbandit]

Democrats can't count on anyone's vote anymore.

Except maybe clowns and pedophiles.

Bullshit.

They can count on the retard vote (hey Seran), dead people vote, ballot stuffing vote, etc...

[Parkbandit]

A pardon means more than just getting out of prison. You guys are being deliberately obtuse, ignoring the relief of having that conviction off your record because it suits you.

It was a ploy to garner support for the elections less than a month away. They can't run on the economy, the border, inflation, etc.... so why not run on "OMG OUR PARTY JUST PARDONED EVERY SINGLE PERSON EVER CONVICTED OF A FEDERAL OFFENSE OF SIMPLE MARIJUANA POSSESSION ARREST!"

And the media just claps along, while providing cover for this obvious political stunt:

Biden Pardons Thousands Convicted of Marijuana Possession Under Federal Law
The move represents a fundamental change in America’s response to a drug that has been at the center of a clash between culture and policing for more than a half-century.


Biden's pot pardon will help reverse War on Drugs harm to Black people, advocates say


CNN reporter calls Biden's marijuana pardon a 'significant step'

[Gelston]

A pardon means more than just getting out of prison. You guys are being deliberately obtuse, ignoring the relief of having that conviction off your record because it suits you.

Simple possession is a misdemeanor and it is very, very rare that it would be a federal charge.

[Methais]

Aaaaaaand you obviously can't distinguish between one's sworn duties as Attorney General of California and the opinion of candidate Harris. That's okay, there's a difference you don't understand or subscribe to, that much is apparent.

But feel free to continue fooling yourself, Democrats weren't counting on your vote anyways.

Biden is in his 80s, so what's your excuse for being even dumber and more clueless than he is?

[Seran]

A pardon means more than just getting out of prison. You guys are being deliberately obtuse, ignoring the relief of having that conviction off your record because it suits you.

Anything to downplay progress in a society, particularly after 4 years of a failed Republican Presidency whose only lasting accomplishments were destroying the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and an attempted coup.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Anything to downplay progress in a society, particularly after 4 years of a failed Republican Presidency whose only lasting accomplishments were destroying the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and an attempted coup.

Troll says what?

[Methais]

Anything to downplay progress in a society, particularly after 4 years of a failed Republican Presidency whose only lasting accomplishments were destroying the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and an attempted coup.

Look how retarded you are.

[Gelston]

Anything to downplay progress in a society, particularly after 4 years of a failed Republican Presidency whose only lasting accomplishments were destroying the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and an attempted coup.

No. If he was serious about it he would have done a lot more. He did the bare fucking minimum.

[Methais]

No. If he was serious about it he would have done a lot more. He did the bare fucking minimum.

Democrats also have enough votes to pass a federal abortion bill right now and republicans couldn't do shit about it.

Seran doesn't find it suspicious at all that they're not even trying to do so.

[Gelston]

Democrats also have enough votes to pass a federal abortion bill right now and republicans couldn't do shit about it.

Seran doesn't find it suspicious at all that they're not even trying to do so.

He basically just spit on a house fire and said he was helping.

[Methais]

He basically just spit on a house fire and said he was helping.

It's a good thing he can depend on extreme retards like Seran to buy into 100% of everything he says.

[Seran]

He basically just spit on a house fire and said he was helping.

What a joke. Democrats have tried to pass unfettered access legislation and it was held up by filibuster threat. There are /not/ enough votes in the Senate to invoke cloture.

[Methais]

What a joke. Democrats have tried to pass unfettered access legislation and it was held up by filibuster threat. There are /not/ enough votes in the Senate to invoke cloture.

Tell us what "unfettered" means and you'll probably figure out the rest...well actually you won't, because you're an idiot, but functional people would be able to figure it out.