President Joe Biden announced Thursday that he pardon those convicted by the federal government of simple possession of marijuanaa move that could affect about 6,500 Americans.
The president noted that convictions for possession of marijuana can lead to denial of employment, housing or educational opportunities, and said black and brown people have been arrested and convicted at disproportionate rates.
“Too many lives have been disrupted because of our failed approach to marijuana,” he said in a video ad. “It’s time we righted those wrongs.”
The Justice Department will issue pardons to eligible individuals and an implementation process will begin “in the coming days,” according to department spokesman Anthony Coley.
Biden encouraged governors to follow his lead, as the vast majority of convictions occur at the state level. Here’s what officials in Ohio and Kentucky have to say.
White House:Biden pardons federal convicts of marijuana possession
Biden pardons marijuana convictions:Will Governor DeWine do the same?
What does this mean for people in Ohio and Kentucky?
Possession of marijuana under 100 grams is a misdemeanor in Ohio, punishable in some cities by a fine of up to $150. The mandatory prison sentence only kicks in for marijuana possessions of at least 20 kilograms of marijuana.
It is illegal to possess any amount of marijuana in Kentucky.
Biden’s pardons will only affect those convicted by the federal government, not those convicted of simple possession of marijuana under state law.
What are Ohio officials saying?
DeWine reviews Biden’s Ohio pardon request
Through a spokesperson, Governor Mike DeWine said he considers Biden’s request to extend pardons to the state level. Ohio does not grant blanket pardons, DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney told The Enquirer, so each person would have to apply individually.
In the past, DeWine, a former Republican prosecutor, has opposed the legalization of recreational marijuana.
State Senator Cecil Thomas: A ‘bold and life-changing step’
State Sen. Cecil Thomas, a former Cincinnati police officer and Cincinnati City Council member, called Biden’s pardon a “bold and life-changing step toward decriminalizing marijuana possession.” job, housing and educational opportunities,” the Democrat added, urging Governor DeWine to “take the same bold approach in Ohio.”
Attorney General Dave Yost: Biden pardons ‘political and cynical abuse of power’
In a tweet, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost called Biden’s blanket pardon “the most political and cynical abuse of pardon power in history.”
“To abuse the power of grace at the door of an election in this way is an astonishing level of cynicism,” he wrote.
Yost, a Republican, supported the Medical Marijuana Act in 2019 and said the federal government should reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II controlled substance, instead of the more restrictive Schedule I, so that more research can be done on the potential harms and benefits of its use.
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley backs Biden’s efforts
DeWine’s Democratic candidate and former Dayton mayor Nan Whaley applauded the federal pardons on Twitter and said if elected she would work to legalize marijuana in Ohio and expunge the records of those convicted of possession marijuana miner.
Charmaine McGuffey, Hamilton County Sheriff: It’s ‘important to be careful’‘
In a statement, Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey stressed the importance of being careful when it comes to pardoning marijuana-related offenses at the federal level.
“Often there are accompanying crimes that have been committed in tandem with marijuana offences,” she said.
McGuffey said she looks forward to more information on the impact of this on state and local incarceration.
Biden pardons possession of marijuana:Will Governor Beshear follow suit in Kentucky?
And in Kentucky?
Governor Andy Beshear ‘eager to review’ details of Biden’s plan
“Governor Agrees No One Should Be In Jail Just For Possessing Marijuana,” Governor Beshear’s spokesman Scottie Ellis said in a statement. “The White House has not alerted and advised our office of what his pardons might entail and specific details of what they will and will not cover. The Governor looks forward to reviewing those details when “They will be available in his broader analysis of medical cannabis and how to move forward when the vast majority of Kentuckians demand it.”
Kenton County District Attorney Rob Sanders: Federal pardons are ‘political stage play’
Rob Sanders, Kenton County’s Commonwealth attorney, said he’s never seen the federal government convict anyone for simple possession of marijuana, so Biden’s pardons are just ” political scene”.
“I think he knows his approval ratings are zero and he’s going into midterms when he’s about to lose both the House and the Senate, and that’s just ‘a political stunt to get a bunch of potheads to come out and vote Democrat,'” he said.
Sanders, a Republican, said he would not support Gov. Beshear expanding state-level pardons, and that his problem lies with the removal of criminal records.
“I believe employers should know the background of their potential employees when considering who to hire,” he said. “For example, if my child’s school was considering hiring school bus drivers, they should know who has trouble with marijuana use.”
Boone County Sheriff Michael Helmig does not support pardons
Helmig, a Republican, does not support President Biden’s federal pardon, his spokesman Maj. Philip Ridgell said. Nor would Helmig support Governor Beshear expanding state-level pardons.
“Sherrif Helmig does not support the order…Whether from the President of the United States or the Governor’s office,” Ridgell said.
Boone County District Attorney Robert Neace, on the other hand, does not
Robert Neace, a Republican, told The Enquirer he endorses President Biden’s federal pardons and would support Governor Beshear doing the same in Kentucky.
“I’ll even go one step further and say I believe marijuana should be legalized,” said Neace, whose work includes prosecuting misdemeanors in district court.