Biden is under mounting pressure to fulfill a campaign promise to “decriminalize” marijuana and expunge past convictions.
Advocates and policymakers point to extreme racial disparities in drug enforcement and sentencing that have filled prisons with Black and Brown people.
“We also know that the ability to deschedule and provide conviction relief rests within the powers of the president.”.
Biden can also work with Congress to pass legislation, and a bill to decriminalize marijuana that includes racial justice provisions already cleared a key committee in the House.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri) introduced historic legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of all drugs earlier this year.
If Biden is serious about racial justice and reducing incarceration, advocates say it should be a priority.
“Biden must act now and support congressional efforts to pass comprehensive marijuana reform and broad drug decriminalization,” Perez said. »
