Biden to pardon all federal offenses of simple marijuana possession (illegals, Hispanics)

[Oklazona Bound]

Originally Posted by FordBronco1967

This sets a horrible precedent.

The President gets to decide what is and is not a crime, based on feelings, regardless of what the law on the books states.

For example, due to this horrible precedent, John Fetterman could become President and pardon all second-degree murderers because he feels as though they should not be punished, even those second-degree murder is against the law.

Horrible, horrible precedent...

This is not a precedent. A president has wide powers to pardon individuals, he does not need a reason. They are still a convicted criminal. That does not change. It just means one is forgiven for the crime they committed.

Bill Clinton pardoned Marc Rich who was on the run in Europe after being convicted of tax fraud. However his wife was a big donor for the dems so he got pardoned. Trump pardoned Paul Manafort who was convicted of 8 felonies. Who ran Trumps 2016 campaign so he got let out. Both of those situations are way worse than pardoning some pot heads. Pardoning people because they did you favors is wrong in my book.

A president can only pardon federal crimes. So Fetterman could not pardon all 2nd degree murderers. How many 2nd degree murderers are there in the federal pen?

[GreenBouy]

Originally Posted by xray731

Data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission show that only 92 people were sentenced for marijuana possession in the federal system in 2017, out of a total of nearly 20,000 drug convictions. People think all these millions are in jail for criminal possession of marijuana - when there aren't. Another ploy to get stupid people to vote for him.

Agreed. I was in federal law enforcement earlier in my career, and it was agency policy not to pursue personal use cases, mainly because AUSA’s won’t prosecute.

[EarthBound?]

Just trying to get more votes.

[Brave New World]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

I don't smoke weed myself but simple basic possession for personal use shouldn't be against the law. If you're driving around baked, that's another story.

Biden doesn't realise that Democrat supporters will now be too stoned to vote.

At least the Chinese will be happy, as while their youngsters learn maths and technology, the youth of America are getting stoned, although I guess you need stones to build back better.

As for the drug cartels, they can now concentrate on cocaine, heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

As for marijuana, the drug has significantly changed since the 1960's.

Cannabis strength soars over past half century – new study - University of Bath

[bluesjuke]

Originally Posted by anononcty

Thanks.

Is that mostly possession in a national park or on federal property? I didn't even know there was a federal possession offense. Or was this designed to charge a dealer who might have 'samples' for their customers.

Quite a few of these are cases that got plead down to a possession charge from things such as possession with intent to sell.

[TMSRetired]

Biden also has Becerra looking into rescheduling cannabis.

Probably going to look for a loophole (like he did with covid shot/OSHA) so that he can do it via EO across all the states.

[MikeNigh]

Has america ever had a mass pardon like this before? It's clearly a usurpation of the 3 branches. It's also setting the stage for it happening again.

I'm not saying I'm against it's use in this case. And when it comes to pardons I'll always lean more towards pardoning, especially in a country that gives such crazy life ending and life destroying sentences all the time.

However this is clearly signalling another democrat led break down of the american system and another democrat led consolidating of power in the executive branch. Something that we have seen as been completely clutched from the hands of voters from here forever out in 2020.

[TMSRetired]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

Has america ever had a mass pardon like this before? It's clearly a usurpation of the 3 branches. It's also setting the stage for it happening again.

Congress doesn't seem to care.
Until a suit is brought forward the Supreme Court can do nothing.

The checks and balances are gone.

[genesiss23]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

Has america ever had a mass pardon like this before? It's clearly a usurpation of the 3 branches. It's also setting the stage for it happening again.

I'm not saying I'm against it's use in this case. And when it comes to pardons I'll always lean more towards pardoning, especially in a country that gives such crazy life ending and life destroying sentences all the time.

However this is clearly signalling another democrat led break down of the american system and another democrat led consolidating of power in the executive branch. Something that we have seen as been completely clutched from the hands of voters from here forever out in 2020.

We have had a mass pardon like this before. Vietnam War draft dodgers were pardoned by Carter in 1977. Also, in 1868, Johnson issued a mass pardon to confederate soldiers.
Benjamin Harrison-polygamous Mormons
Harry Truman-ww2 selective service act violations
Kennedy-first time offenders of the Narcotics control act of 1956
Ford Vietnam War draft resisters-conditional pardon versus Carter's unconditional pardon



The president has unlimited pardon powers for federal offenses.

[LS Jaun]

Originally Posted by katharsis

One of the few things Biden has done that has my complete approval.

Let's see Joe locked them up (up to 100,000 mostly black men) under his crime bill, and now he is freeing some