US: No one should be jailed for using, possessing Marijuana – President Biden

President Joe Biden of the United States has said no one should be jailed for using or possessing marijuana.

Biden made the remark while backing the Department of Justice, DOJ, to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law.

The reclassification of marijuana will put it in the same category as prescription drugs including ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone and no longer classified substances like heroin and LSD.

But, posting on his X page on Friday, Biden wrote: “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana.

“So today, the @TheJusticeDept is taking the next step to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law.

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“Right now, marijuana has a higher-level classification than fentanyl and methamphetamine – the two drugs driving America’s overdose epidemic.

“That just doesn’t add up.

“At my request, and guided by science and evidence, HHS and DOJ have studied the drug’s medical use and abuse and dependence potential and are recommending rescheduling – concluding reclassification would remove barriers to critical research.

“No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.

“Today’s announcement builds on the work we’ve already done to pardon a record number of federal offences for simple possession of marijuana.

“I’m committed to writing those historic wrongs. You have my word.”