In a surprise move that probably could’ve been more thoughtfully revealed, the marionette controlling Joe Biden’s puppet limbs chose to pardon thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law. The Biden administration will also review whether marijuana should still be in the same legal category, which currently schedules it alongside much more dangerous drugs like heroin. Biden went as far as urging governors to drop charges for people convicted at the state level of simple possession, a number that vastly outnumbers those charged under federal laws.
This is the same president who helped pass a string of draconian drug laws over his 35+ year political career that laid the groundwork for mass incarceration. And lets not forget his running mate, Madam Blue Lives Matter herself, who I can’t even properly make fun of because no one knows what she does on a daily basis. These two are certainly an odd couple to ring in the losing end of the War on Drugs.
So, what gives? Why do this now? Well for one, those sneaky midterm elections are just a few weeks away, and this kind of announcement is expected to energize young people on the left and drive us to the polls to support blue candidates. Another contributing factor could be the growing mainstream acceptance of the drug, as white people have normalized behaviors like smoking weed with their parents.
“This is an important political statement, it’s an important value statement, it’s progress, but this is a drop in the ocean of injustice.”
-Udi Ofer, Princeton University professor & former deputy national political director of the ACLU
Important context: Only 92 people were sentenced on federal marijuana possession charges in 2017, out of nearly 20,000 drug convictions, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Simple possession of the drug is a crime almost completely prosecuted at the state level. Federal charges tend to be related to trafficking as opposed to possession. It’s a nice effort Joseph, but the real impact of this policy will undoubtedly be limited.
Side Items
Diet Armageddon: Biden said yesterday that the risk of nuclear “Armageddon” is at the highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Russian officials continue to discuss the possibility of using ‘tactical nukes’ after suffering continued setbacks in their eight-month invasion of Ukraine
Not So Fun Fact: Nationwide, police car chases now kill more people than tornadoes, lightning, and hurricanes combined
The Russkies Have Landed: Two Russians looking to avoid compulsory military service requested asylum after crossing harsh Atlantic waters and landing on a remote Alaskan island in the Bering Sea. No word yet on Sarah Palin’s view of the event
Aging A Decade in 2 Years: The ongoing pandemic, and the stress brought with it, may have permanently changed our personalities. Researchers noted significant declines in the traits that help us navigate social situations, trust others, think creatively, and act responsibly (any of this sounding familiar??)