Could marijuana pardons happen in Tennessee?

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – After President Joe Biden stated he desires to pardon these prosecuted on a federal stage for marijuana offenses, he’s calling on state governors to observe his lead.

Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari labored with the Biden marketing campaign in 2020 to handle drug legal guidelines round marijuana.

“It’s as much as governors throughout the nation that we don’t have of us in jail, their lives fully ruined their entry to housing, or schooling and even paying job merely due to possession of or use of marijuana,” stated Senator Raumesh Akbari. “A product that’s authorized in lots of states throughout this nation.”

Motion Information 5 reached out to Governor Invoice Lee’s workplace Thursday shortly after the president’s announcement. A spokesperson instructed us:

“We’re not contemplating this in Tennessee.”

In the meantime, “Simply Metropolis” Government Director Josh Spickler says there’s not a lot to be executed in Memphis and Shelby County.

“The final meeting stepped in and intervened and handed a legislation prohibiting us from governing ourselves in that matter,” stated “Simply Metropolis” Government Director Josh Spickler. “So till the state acts there’s nothing that the area people can do. I believe the very best we will do proper now’s to have a district legal professional who has deprioritized prosecution of marijuana prices.”

On the marketing campaign path, District Lawyer Steve Mulroy instructed Motion Information 5 he wish to refocus on violent crime and “cease losing time on issues like marijuana possession.”

Through the years, the Memphis Metropolis Council has mentioned a wide range of marijuana decriminalization efforts.

Friday, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland shared his ideas on the matter.

“I’ve by no means centered on minor crimes,” stated Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland. “My focus has all the time been on violent criminals which can be inflicting hurt to others so I’m gonna go away that to others.”

President Biden additionally desires a overview on how marijuana is scheduled federally. In response to the Biden Administration, it’s at the moment on the identical schedule as heroin and LSD.

Senator Akbari says that is additionally an vital piece of this announcement. Re-scheduling the drug might additionally cut back or remove felony penalties for possession.

Senator Akbari additionally says some Republicans within the common meeting have stated they’d be interested by trying into marijuana laws if the drug had been re-scheduled.

In Tennessee, easy possession of greater than a half ounce of marijuana is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a yr in jail or a $250 high-quality.

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