Carney says Delaware is already in line with Biden’s call to pardon marijuana possession charges

Gov. John Carney responds to President Biden’s name for governors to pardon anybody convicted of easy marijuana possession below state regulation.

He says Delaware is forward of the curve, pointing to a 2018 Delaware regulation making these convicted of small portions of marijuana eligible to have their convictions expunged.

Carney provides he’s unaware of anybody at the moment incarcerated within the state for easy possession of marijuana alone.

However expungements, which seal components of a prison document from public entry, should not the identical as pardons. They don’t clear an individual’s document however finish any penalties, together with permitting an individual to go away custody.

Carney says he’ll approve pardons for any easy marijuana possession fees however does so on a case-by-case foundation.

“We’re absolutely implementing the essence of what he’s requesting that we do,” he mentioned. “Our course of is somewhat totally different — I don’t know if anybody has the authority to blanket pardon these fees. However as they arrive by way of, and so they come by way of lots – often alongside different fees – they’re a no brainer.”

Whereas Delaware decriminalized marijuana possession in 2015, Carney notes some residents on parole should do jail time in the event that they take a look at optimistic for marijuana or are present in possession of the drug.