It seems like the United States is moving closer and closer toward the decriminalization of marijuana.

National Cannabis Festival Held At DC's RFK Stadium
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President Joe Biden announced pardons for all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. This could affect potentially thousands of Americans who were charged with a marijuana crime.

 

"No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana." President Biden said in a video posted to Twitter.

No matter how you feel about marijuana possession, the facts are that people's lives are tragically affected by it.

President Biden said in a video uploaded to Twitter, "Criminal records for marijuana possession have led to needless barriers to employment, to housing, and educational opportunities."

The most important part to me was addressed directly after that statement.

Biden went on to say, "While white and Black and Brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and Brown people are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionately higher rates."

What does this recent announcement mean for Alabama when it comes to marijuana?

Medical marijuana has recently been approved but what about pardons for people in Alabama with simple marijuana possession offenses?

President Biden's recent announcement only accounts for federal charges and not state-level charges.

According to a post on Instagram from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, two years ago, he pardoned everyone in Birmingham that had simple marijuana possession offenses.

It seems like the recent pardon from President Biden is an effort to encourage states to do the same on their level.

Do you think Alabama should pardon those with simple marijuana possession offenses?

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