Biden is calling for marijuana possession pardons. But that doesn’t mean it’ll happen in Texas.

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Calling the criminalization of marijuana a “failed strategy,” President Joe Biden introduced a pardon of all federal marijuana possession prices Thursday — and urged governors to comply with swimsuit with state-level convictions for marijuana possession.

The federal pardon will have an effect on about 6,500 folks, The New York Occasions reported, however the overwhelming majority of marijuana possession crimes are charged on the state stage, not in a federal case.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark Thursday about Biden’s announcement.

Abbott’s gubernatorial opponent, Democrat Beto O’Rourke, was fast to announce his assist for the president’s motion.

“After I’m governor, we are going to lastly legalize marijuana in Texas and expunge the data of these arrested for marijuana possession,” O’Rourke mentioned in a press release.

In accordance with the Texas legislation, the governor can challenge pardons provided that a majority of Board of Pardons and Paroles members make such a suggestion in writing.

Biden argued the rationale for his choice, just below a month forward of the November midterms, was the undue burden easy marijuana possession prices placed on People. Thirty-seven states within the nation have legalized medical marijuana.

“Sending folks to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated folks for conduct that many states not prohibit. Felony data for marijuana possession have additionally imposed unnecessary limitations to employment, housing, and academic alternatives,” Biden mentioned in a press release.

Biden famous that marijuana possession prices have traditionally focused communities of shade.

“And whereas white and Black and brown folks use marijuana at comparable charges, Black and brown folks have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate charges,” Biden mentioned.

This yr by way of August, Texas prosecutors filed greater than 14,000 misdemeanor pot possession prices, to date resulting in greater than 5,000 convictions, in accordance with statewide court docket knowledge. Pot possession is a misdemeanor for as much as 4 ounces, and a felony for portions past that.

Marijuana prosecutions dropped dramatically after 2019, when Texas lawmakers legalized hemp and in consequence sophisticated how legislation enforcement can decide if one thing is against the law hashish. In 2018, for instance, almost 50,000 misdemeanor marijuana prices have been filed.

Along with the federal pardon, Biden requested for a overview of marijuana’s classification beneath the Managed Substances Act. Presently, marijuana is classed as a Schedule I drug, which is similar classification for LSD and heroin.

Jolie McCullough contributed to this story.

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