Biden Champions Cannabis Reform And Pardon As Election Pressure Mounts, Marijuana Takes Center Stage
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Justice Department officials celebrated April as “Second Chance Month” on Friday. Biden earlier kicked off the month by calling attention to his administration’s pardons, signaling that marijuana is becoming an important issue as a tight presidential election race looms.
According to a new survey by The New York Times and Siena College published Saturday, Biden has nearly erased Donald Trump’s early polling advantage. Trump holds a slim lead of 46% to Biden’s 45%.
Second Chances
“Over the last two years, the team has reduced its average initial commutation case processing times by over 85%. And they’ve reviewed close to 12,000 clemency applications in that time — an incredible number,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco on Friday.
“In December, the President issued his second categorical pardon for certain marijuana offenses by expanding it to people who used marijuana or violated certain federal regulations,” said Monaco, referring to Biden’s 2022 and 2023 pardons for …