WASHINGTON D.C. – On Thursday, Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) sent a letter, following up on a previous letter, to President Joe Biden again urging him to pardon all federal non-violent cannabis convictions. All three representatives are members of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, with Representatives Blumenauer and Lee serving as Co-Chairs.
“We write to urgently request an update on the February 18, 2021 letter signed by 35 members of Congress and led by Reps. Blumenauer and Lee requesting you pardon all federal non-violent cannabis convictions,” wrote Reps. Bowman, Blumenauer, and Lee. “Many remain behind bars due to racially discriminatory cannabis policies and continue to accrue criminal fees. To begin rectifying the damage done by these discriminatorily implemented policies and reunite families before the holidays, we reiterate our ask that you use your executive authority to pardon all individuals convicted of nonviolent cannabis offenses, whether formerly or currently incarcerated. We further write to specify that all federal criminal fines and fees be cancelled for all nonviolent cannabis offenses.”
“Just as previous presidents have used executive authority to issue blanket pardons consistent with our values that benefit the American people, this is an opportunity for you to uphold commitments made during the campaign and revitalize communities across the country,” continued Reps. Bowman, Blumenauer, and Lee. “Mass incarceration has disproportionately harmed Black and brown communities and its impact can be felt everywhere. Every non-violent offender given the opportunity to return home can create a positive ripple effect by reuniting families, connecting people to work opportunities, and beginning the road to healing from the harm these policies continue to inflict.”
To read the full text of the letter, click here.