Germany’s Coalition Government Reaches Final Deal On Marijuana Legalization Bill, With Vote Set For This Month

The leaders of Germany’s coalition government say they have reached a final agreement on a bill to legalize marijuana, resolving outstanding disagreements that had delayed action and setting the stage for a vote in the final week of February and enactment in April.

In a joint statement, leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Greens said the proposed regulations “are a real milestone for a modern drug policy that strengthens prevention and improves health, child and youth protection.”

The legislation, originally brought forward last year by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, is expected to be slightly revised to account for SPD concerns, with plans to expand and expedite monitoring and reporting requirements related to the illicit market, Legal Tribune Online reported.

“We agreed on the final details cannabis of legalization last night. The fight against the black market, decriminalization and better protection of minors will come as announced,” the health minister said on Thursday. “The previous drug policy has failed, a new beginning.”

Wir haben uns gestern Abend auf letzte Details #Cannabis Legalisierung geeinigt. Die Bekämpfung des Schwarzmarktes, Entkriminalisierung und ein besserer Jugendschutz werden wie angekündigt kommen. Die bisherige Drogenpolitik ist gescheitert, ein Neuanfang https://t.co/qDgbMvj9rz

— Prof. Karl Lauterbach (@Karl_Lauterbach) February 2, 2024

While the bill would currently mandate a study of youth-related trends post-legalization, with a report due four years after enactment, the parties’ latest agreement would extend it by requiring an assessment of how the reform impacts the illicit market that would be carried out “in a timely manner,” the coalition told the German Press Agency, according to a translation.

“We are setting the course for a completely different approach to cannabis and recognizing the realities of life,” Kristine Lütke of the Free Democratic Party said.

🚨 Das #CanG wird wie vereinbart zum 1. April kommen! 🥦

Wir stellen die Weichen neu für einen komplett anderen Umgang mit #Cannabis und erkennen die Lebensrealitäten an 🚀 #WeeklyWeedTweet

— Kristine Lütke MdB (@kristine_lutke) February 2, 2024

A final vote on the legalization bill that was initially planned for last month was ultimately called off amid concerns from SPD leaders.

Lawmakers had already delayed their first debate on the legislation, which was ultimately held in October, ostensibly due to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. They also pushed back a vote scheduled for November as supporters worked on improvements to the bill.

“The final die for a progressive drug policy in Germany has been cast!” SPD’s Carmen Wegge said. I am very pleased that the final discussions have taken place at Cannabisgesetz and that we will now be entering the home stretch at the end of February!”

Die letzten Würfel für eine progressive Drogenpolitik in Deutschland sind gefallen! ❤️

Ich freue mich sehr, dass die abschließenden Gespräche zum #Cannabisgesetz stattgefunden haben und wir Ende Februar nun in die Zielgerade laufen werden!

— Carmen Wegge (@CarmenWegge) February 2, 2024

At a meeting in December, the health minister took questions from members, some of whom oppose legalization. At several points, he pushed back against lawmakers who suggested that legalization would send the wrong message to youth and lead to increased underage consumption, saying their arguments “misrepresented” the legislation.

Lawmakers also recently made a raft of adjustments to the bill, mostly designed to loosen restrictions that faced opposition from advocates and supporters in the Bundestag. They included increasing home possession maximums and removing the possibility of jail time for possessing slightly more than the allowable limit.

Voller Einsatz zahlt sich aus! Der Knoten ist geplatzt, das #CanG kommt! Endlich. Zeitplan für #Entkriminalisierung zum 1.4. wird gehalten.🥦#cannabishttps://t.co/qUpCcdmGn6

— Kirsten Kappert-Gonther (@KirstenKappert) February 1, 2024

The legislators further agreed to stagger the implementation of the reform, making possession and home cultivation legal for adults beginning in April. Social clubs that could distribute marijuana to members would open in July.

Officials are eventually planning to introduce a complementary second measure that would establish pilot programs for commercial sales in cities throughout the country. That legislation is expected to be unveiled after its submitted to the European Commission for review.

Following the bill’s final reading in the Bundestag, it will go to the Bundesrat, a separate legislative body that represents German states. Members of the Bundesrat tried to block the proposed reform in September but ultimately failed.

—Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.—

Lawmakers in the Bundestag recently held a hearing in the Health Committee, at which opponents criticized some elements of the proposal. The body also heard a competing policy proposal from The Union, a political alliance of the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), that would not legalize marijuana but instead “improve health protection and strengthen education, prevention and research,” Kappert-Gonther said at the time.

The health minister responded to early criticism of the bill from medical and law enforcement groups by emphasizing that the reform would be coupled with a “major campaign” to educate the public about the risks of using cannabis.

While Germany’s Federal Cabinet approved the initial framework for a legalization measure late last year, the government also said it wanted to get signoff from the EU to ensure that enacting the reform wouldn’t put them in violation of their international obligations.

The framework was the product of months of review and negotiations within the German administration and the traffic light coalition government. Officials took a first step toward legalization in 2022, kicking off a series of hearings meant to help inform legislation to end prohibition in the country.

Government officials from multiple countries, including the U.S., also met in Germany last November to discuss international marijuana policy issues as the host nation works to enact legalization.

A group of German lawmakers, as well as Narcotics Drugs Commissioner Burkhard Blienert, separately visited the U.S. and toured California cannabis businesses in 2022 to inform their country’s approach to legalization.

The visit came after top officials from Germany, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands held a first-of-its-kind meeting to discuss plans and challenges associated with recreational marijuana legalization.

Leaders of the coalition government said in 2021 that they had reached an agreement to end cannabis prohibition and enact regulations for a legal industry, and they first previewed certain details of that plan last year.

A novel international survey that was released last year found majority support for legalization in several key European countries, including Germany.

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Top German Official Says Marijuana Legalization Vote On Track For Next Month Despite Growing Criticism In Parliament

Germany’s health minister says he remains confident that a bill to legalize marijuana will pass the national parliament next month and get implemented this spring, despite reports that support is fragmenting among lawmakers.

“I continue to assume that the cannabis law will be passed in the Bundestag in the week from February 19th to 23rd and can then apply from April 1st,” Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said, according to a translation.

He added that increased THC potency in unregulated products necessitates the reform, stating the illicit market “must therefore be dried up.”

“The controlled distribution of cannabis is the right way to achieve this, combined with special protection for children and young people,” Lauterbach said.

Hier im https://t.co/Y7VAvBvL3R Gespräch der aktuelle Stand zur Cannabis Legalisierung. https://t.co/icyNXeWJkt

— Prof. Karl Lauterbach (@Karl_Lauterbach) January 18, 2024

The comments come amid rising doubts about the prospects of advancing the government’s legalization proposal, as certain legislators and state officials voice concerns about provisions such as the enforceability of zoning restrictions for cannabis businesses.

Lauterbach conceded that not every violation can be punished but said “that’s the case with every law,” adding that “we already have a considerable amount of control work to do with the black market,” Welt am Sonntag reported.

Kristine Lütke of the Free Democratic Party, which along with SPD and the Greens is part of the country’s coalition government, said in a social media post that “even though things are currently choppy, I am still confident that we will stick to the timetable for adoption.”

Die Argumente rund um das #CanG sind ausgetauscht und das Gesetz geeint. Wir läuten damit einen Umbruch im Umgang mit #Cannabis ein. Auch wenn es aktuell ruckelt, bin ich nach wie vor zuversichtlich, dass wir den Zeitplan für die Verabschiedung einhalten. 🥦 #WeeklyWeedTweet

— Kristine Lütke MdB (@kristine_lutke) January 19, 2024

While Lauterbach predicts a vote on the legalization bid will proceed next month, it hasn’t been scheduled yet. And as some state interior ministers mount opposition to the reform, certain members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) who support legalization in principle have increasingly questioned the specifics of the measure that was adopted by the Federal Cabinet last August.

A final vote on the legalization bill that was initially planned for last month was ultimately called off amid concerns from SPD leaders.

Lawmakers had already delayed their first debate on the legislation, which was held in October, ostensibly due to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. They also pushed back a vote scheduled for November as supporters worked on improvements to the bill.

At a meeting last month, the health minister took questions from members, some of whom oppose legalization. At several points, he pushed back against lawmakers who suggested that legalization would send the wrong message to youth and lead to increased underage consumption, saying their arguments “misrepresented” the legislation.

Lawmakers also recently made a raft of adjustments to the bill, mostly designed to loosen restrictions that faced opposition from advocates and supporters in the Bundestag. They included increasing home possession maximums and removing the possibility of jail time for possessing slightly more than the allowable limit.

The legislators further agreed to stagger the implementation of the reform, making possession and home cultivation legal for adults beginning in April. Social clubs that could distribute marijuana to members would open in July.

—Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.—

Officials are eventually planning to introduce a complementary second measure that would establish pilot programs for commercial sales in cities throughout the country. That legislation is expected to be unveiled after its submitted to the European Commission for review.

Following the bill’s final reading in the Bundestag, it will go to the Bundesrat, a separate legislative body that represents German states. Members of the Bundesrat tried to block the proposed reform in September but ultimately failed.

Lawmakers in the Bundestag recently held a hearing in the Health Committee, at which opponents criticized some elements of the proposal. The body also heard a competing policy proposal from The Union, a political alliance of the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), that would not legalize marijuana but instead “improve health protection and strengthen education, prevention and research,” Kappert-Gonther said at the time.

The health minister responded to early criticism of the bill from medical and law enforcement groups by emphasizing that the reform would be coupled with a “major campaign” to educate the public about the risks of using cannabis.

While Germany’s Federal Cabinet approved the initial framework for a legalization measure late last year, the government also said it wanted to get signoff from the EU to ensure that enacting the reform wouldn’t put them in violation of their international obligations.

The framework was the product of months of review and negotiations within the German administration and the traffic light coalition government. Officials took a first step toward legalization in 2022, kicking off a series of hearings meant to help inform legislation to end prohibition in the country.

Government officials from multiple countries, including the U.S., also met in Germany last November to discuss international marijuana policy issues as the host nation works to enact legalization.

A group of German lawmakers, as well as Narcotics Drugs Commissioner Burkhard Blienert, separately visited the U.S. and toured California cannabis businesses in 2022 to inform their country’s approach to legalization.

The visit came after top officials from Germany, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands held a first-of-its-kind meeting to discuss plans and challenges associated with recreational marijuana legalization.

Leaders of the coalition government said in 2021 that they had reached an agreement to end cannabis prohibition and enact regulations for a legal industry, and they first previewed certain details of that plan last year.

A novel international survey that was released last year found majority support for legalization in several key European countries, including Germany.

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Vice President Harris, Colorado Governor And Other Top Officials Cheer Biden’s Expanded Marijuana Pardon

President Joe Biden’s newly expanded marijuana pardon proclamation is getting praise from top officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, with supporters cheering the clemency action as another step in the right direction.

The president announced the latest mass pardon—which covers people who’ve committed federal cannabis possession offenses, and also provides relief for the first time to those who’ve possessed marijuana on federal properties—on Friday. This comes about a year after Biden issued an initial mass cannabis pardon and directed an administrative review into marijuana scheduling.

While some advocates have been critical of the limited reform, imploring Biden to vocally support efforts to actually end what he’s described as the country’s “failed approach” to marijuana, the new proclamation is still being touted as a meaningful, if incremental, example of the president’s commitment to repairing the harms of criminalization.

The pardons “will help thousands of people by making it easier for them to find a job, buy a home, and get an education,” the vice president said in a statement following the announcement. “President Biden and I have been clear: We must continue to change our nation’s approach to marijuana and reform the criminal justice system.”

President Biden and I have long been clear: We must continue to change our nation’s approach to marijuana and reform the criminal justice system.

Today, we took another step forward to make sure that our justice system truly lives up to its name. Read my full statement: pic.twitter.com/AJ5XryF5hx

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) December 22, 2023

“As I have declared many times before, no one should be in prison simply for smoking weed,” Harris said, joining Biden in a call for governors to follow suit with state-level cannabis relief.

“President Biden and I will continue to work to address historic inequities and racial disparities in federal drug policy and sentencing, to make sure that our justice system truly lives up to its name,” she said.

Here’s how other officials, lawmakers, advocates and others are reacting to the president’s pardon:

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D)

“I’m thrilled to see President Biden following Colorado’s lead by pardoning federal and D.C. marijuana use and possession offenses,” Polis, who has granted thousands of state-level cannabis pardons over his tenure as governor, said.

“This overdue action will help people who were convicted for something that is no longer a crime get jobs, housing, and more,” he said. “This is a major step toward breaking down barriers and helping more people and our economy thrive.”

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)

In a joint statement on Friday, the CBC said it “applauds President Biden’s proclamation to pardon marijuana offenses, including the use on federal lands, which have  disproportionately incarcerated and upended the lives of far too many Black Americans by creating barriers to employment, education, and housing.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

The majority leader, who has sponsored legalization legislation, called the pardons “a good step.”

“I will continue working in the Senate to end the federal prohibition on cannabis and make criminal justice reforms,” he said.

This is a good step by President Biden. I will continue working in the Senate to end the federal prohibition on cannabis and make criminal justice reforms. https://t.co/Wd6HDjpcXQ

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 23, 2023

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)

The senator, who has long championed marijuana legalization, wrote on Friday about how he personally urged the president to back comprehensive reform before he joined Congress. “This Christmas, as a Senator, THANK YOU,” he said.

A few Christmases ago, as Lieutenant Governor, I pushed for legal weed and delivering pardons for bullshit weed charges.

As a Senate candidate, I personally asked @POTUS to de-schedule cannabis and pardon those charges.

This Christmas, as a Senator, THANK YOU @POTUS 🎄🎁 https://t.co/3NLGTy2RAApic.twitter.com/F73dCbdTOo

— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) December 22, 2023

Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)

“Nobody’s life should be ruined because of some low-level cannabis offense,” the senator said. “It’s ridiculous that Republicans keep blocking marijuana legalization.. BUT in the meantime, this is a great step by the President.”

Nobody’s life should be ruined because of some low-level cannabis offense.

It’s ridiculous that Republicans keep blocking marijuana legalization… BUT in the meantime, this is a great step by the President. https://t.co/fjJXWqE4J7

— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) December 22, 2023

Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

“Cannabis has been legal and regulated in Nevada since 2017, but unfortunately, federal laws have been slow to catch up,” Rosen said. “People should not be incarcerated for simple possession of cannabis. This announcement will provide an overdue second chance to many.”

Cannabis has been legal and regulated in Nevada since 2017, but unfortunately, federal laws have been slow to catch up.

People should not be incarcerated for simple possession of cannabis. This announcement will provide an overdue second chance to many. https://t.co/8ciPfrbfZJ

— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) December 22, 2023

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)

“The failed War on Drugs began more than 50 years ago when Richard Nixon declared drug abuse public enemy number one,” Jeffries said. “At the time, there were an estimated 300,000 people incarcerated in America. Today, there are approximately 1.8 million, and they are disproportionately Black and Latino.”

“Today, President Biden took additional steps forward in undoing the legacy of the failed War on Drugs by commuting the sentences of several individuals with non-violent drug offenses and pardoning additional Americans convicted of simple possession and use of marijuana,” he said.

The minority leader added that he commends Biden “for acknowledging that much more needs to be done to right these historic wrongs by urging Governors to follow the administration’s lead at the state level.”

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)

Blumenauer, a founding co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus who is retiring next year after nearly three decades advocating for reform in the House, said in a statement that he’s “hopeful that today’s welcome news will not be President Biden’s last act to promote justice and rectify the ongoing harms of the failed war on drugs.”

Rep. Barbra Lee (D-CA)

Lee, another Cannabis Caucus co-chair,  said Biden’s move is “a long overdue step in remedying the harm of the war on drugs, which has disproportionately impacted people of color.”

Thank you, @POTUS. This is a long overdue step in remedying the harm of the war on drugs, which has disproportionately impacted people of color.   Let’s keep the momentum going and pass the #MOREAct. https://t.co/H2T5mAhqsc

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) December 24, 2023

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)

Nadler, who has sponsored legalization legislation that twice passed the House, said “far too many lives have been upended because of the US’ failed approach to marijuana.”

“I applaud today’s pardons & will keep fighting for my #MOREAct to decriminalize marijuana & expunge the marijuana-related convictions of those impacted by the War on Drugs,” he said.

.@POTUS is right—far too many lives have been upended because of the US’ failed approach to marijuana. I applaud today’s pardons & will keep fighting for my #MOREAct to decriminalize marijuana & expunge the marijuana-related convictions of those impacted by the War on Drugs.…

— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) December 22, 2023

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA)

The congressman thanked the president, saying it’s “time to end the outdated war on drugs and push for drug reform.”

Thank you to @POTUS for pardoning thousands who were convicted of marijuana charges. It’s time to end the outdated war on drugs and push for drug reform. We can modernize hiring and treat mental health.

— Congressman Robert Garcia (@RepRobertGarcia) December 22, 2023

Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH)

“Pardoning those convicted of unnecessarily harsh marijuana charges is the right thing to do,” the congresswoman said. “Historically, these kinds of convictions have been applied disproportionally to people of color. I applaud President Biden for taking action.”

Pardoning those convicted of unnecessarily harsh marijuana charges is the right thing to do. Historically, these kinds of convictions have been applied disproportionally to people of color. I applaud President Biden for taking action. https://t.co/Gs6DfaR3MN

— Rep. Shontel Brown (@RepShontelBrown) December 22, 2023

Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA)

The congressman said that he’s “long championed pardons and clemency for individuals who are serving sentences for the possession of marijuana,” adding that these “misdemeanors can result in restrictions on folks’ ability to access educational aid, housing assistance, occupational licensing, & more.”

I have long championed pardons and clemency for individuals who are serving sentences for the possession of marijuana. These misdemeanors can result in restrictions on folks' ability to access educational aid, housing assistance, occupational licensing, & more. Delivering justice… https://t.co/NgHAc8b47S

— Congressman Troy A. Carter (@RepTroyCarter) December 22, 2023

“Delivering justice for Black Americans who have been disproportionately impacted by this is essential to comprehensive cannabis reform,” he said, commending Biden for the pardon action.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)

“The war on Drugs has failed to prevent the harm drugs can do and has burdened millions with unnecessary prison time and the stigma of a criminal record,” Coleman said, reacting to the clemency announcement.

Find out more about the Drug Policy Reform Act here: https://t.co/JbBp6odQw1

— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) December 22, 2023

She added that a bill she’s previously sponsored to broadly decriminalize all currently illicit drugs would “rethink how we approach helping people struggling with addiction.”

Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO)

“We welcome the news of [Biden] pardoning thousands of people convicted of marijuana charges,” the congresswoman said. “It’s time we fully deschedule & legalize marijuana, expunge records, promote equity in the cannabis industry, and end the War on Drugs.”

We welcome the news of @POTUS pardoning thousands of people convicted of marijuana charges.

It’s time we fully deschedule & legalize marijuana, expunge records, promote equity in the cannabis industry, and end the War on Drugs. https://t.co/8rrpTe26bu

— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) December 22, 2023

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)

“Black people are far more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession & use, and this action is long overdue,” Jayapal said. “Next, let’s decriminalize, legalize, & invest in those disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.”

This is a MAJOR step toward social & racial justice from @POTUS!

Black people are far more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession & use, and this action is long overdue. Next, let’s decriminalize, legalize, & invest in those disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs. https://t.co/lIqfjvjEDF

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) December 22, 2023

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)

“No one should experience disproportionately long sentences or barriers to employment for minor marijuana charges,” Titus said. “This is an important step towards modernizing our criminal justice system.”

No one should experience disproportionately long sentences or barriers to employment for minor marijuana charges.

This is an important step towards modernizing our criminal justice system. https://t.co/uVNX9XTuWl

— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) December 22, 2023

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)

The president’s action “will help reduce barriers to employment, housing and education,” Schiff said. “This is an important step towards decriminalizing marijuana nationwide.”

President Biden just pardoned every American who has used marijuana.

This will help reduce barriers to employment, housing and education.

This is an important step towards decriminalizing marijuana nationwide.

— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) December 22, 2023

Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA)

“Our nation’s so-called War on Drugs has ruined enough lives and hollowed out entire communities,” Porter said, “Glad to see this welcomed step from President Biden, making pardons possible for thousands of people convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana.”

Our nation’s so-called War on Drugs has ruined enough lives and hollowed out entire communities. Glad to see this welcomed step from President Biden, making pardons possible for thousands of people convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana.https://t.co/vA3H3FIXHM

— Katie Porter (@katieporteroc) December 22, 2023

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)

Biden’s move is a “historic and common sense action on marijuana,” Lieu said,.

“Spending even one penny of taxpayer dollars criminalizing the use or possession of cannabis is totally stupid and a waste of taxpayer funds,” he added.

Thank you to @POTUS for this historic and common sense action on marijuana!

Spending even one penny of taxpayer dollars criminalizing the use or possession of cannabis is totally stupid and a waste of taxpayer funds. https://t.co/iwUPzb3NgK

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 22, 2023

Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA)

Gomez called the pardons a “long overdue step in ending the war on drugs, which has disproportionately harmed communities of color.”

This is a long overdue step in ending the war on drugs, which has disproportionately harmed communities of color.

I applaud @POTUS for this act of justice.

Now it’s time to pass the #MOREAct and decriminalize marijuana nationwide. https://t.co/pWsZdPV9r3

— Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) December 22, 2023

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)

Pallone praised Biden for “taking a critical step to right this historic injustice by pardoning offenses of simple marijuana possession or use.”

“The next step is to end the federal marijuana prohibition once and for all,” he said.

Too many Americans have had their lives ruined by unfair marijuana laws. Now, @POTUS is taking a critical step to right this historic injustice by pardoning offenses of simple marijuana possession or use. The next step is to end the federal marijuana prohibition once and for all. https://t.co/B5tVUPWtXy

— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) December 23, 2023

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)

“I applaud President Biden for pardoning people with convictions for simple marijuana use or possession, convictions that can prevent people from finding jobs or housing,” Bonamici said.

I applaud President Biden for pardoning people with convictions for simple marijuana use or possession, convictions that can prevent people from finding jobs or housing. https://t.co/PfIP4vJgVJ

— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) December 22, 2023

Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL)

“This will lift barriers for those pardoned to access employment and educational opportunities,” Wilson said.

Thank you @POTUS for today's needed action to address the flawed justice system that criminalizes marijuana possession—something that disproportionally impacts Black Americans.

This will lift barriers for those pardoned to access employment and educational opportunities. https://t.co/UTQOCv6uP8

— Rep. Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) December 22, 2023

Virginia Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas (D)

“As we celebrate this historic victory, we must not take our eyes off the goal- legal and safe sales of recreational marijuana across the country,” Lucas said.

As we celebrate this historic victory, we must not take our eyes off the goal- legal and safe sales of recreational marijuana across the country. https://t.co/o2MO5Bt56O

— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) December 23, 2023

California Sen. Scott Wiener (D)

The California senator, who has championed drug policy reform including psychedelics legalization and harm reduction legislation, called the president’s pardon proclamation “huge.”

This is huge – @JoeBiden is mass-pardoning people for cannabis simple possession & use. This will benefit so many people whose lives have been upended over the decades due to the misguided drug war. Thank you Mr. President. pic.twitter.com/4sOs8eCiyr

— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) December 22, 2023

“This will benefit so many people whose lives have been upended over the decades due to the misguided drug war,” he said. “Thank you Mr. President.”

NORML

“Millions of Americans carry the burden and stigma of a past conviction for behavior that the majority of voters no longer believe should be a crime,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “Our sense of justice and our principles of fairness demand that public officials and the courts move swiftly to right the past wrongs of cannabis prohibition and criminalization.”

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM)

Kevin Sabet, president of the prohibitionist group SAM, said the pardon proclamation shows that “criminal justice reform is possible without commercializing the drug,” though he said it was “unfortunate” that the president didn’t use the opportunity to talk about “how dangerous marijuana is.”

BIDEN’S POT PROCLAMATION CONTINUES ADMINISTRATION’S OPPOSITION TO BIG MARIJUANA, BUT MISSES OPPORTUNITY TO WARN THE PUBLIC ABOUT TODAY’S HIGHLY POTENT WEED pic.twitter.com/sRkbI2ppQ9

— SAM (@learnaboutsam) December 22, 2023

Last Prisoner Project (LPP)

The cannabis reform group said that while the president’s clemency action is “progress for those eligible for relief, these pardons and commutations are not enough to achieve true cannabis justice.”

“⁣As we have said before, pardons do not remove the needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities the President has rightfully acknowledged,” LPP said, urging people to send letters to the White House and Congress about the need for more comprehensive reform.

Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR)

Shanita Penny, director of CPEAR, called the clemency action “positive news for many,” but added that “there are still countless nonviolent offenders incarcerated for cannabis possession.”

.@HiShaPenny on @POTUS's latest #cannabis pardon announcement: pic.twitter.com/NAxldjUWqI

— Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (@CPEARCoalition) December 22, 2023

“In a country where 100 million people have access to state legal cannabis markets—a federal framework that removes barriers to employment, housing and education opportunities to those impacted by cannabis prohibition is the only way forward,” she said.

Color of Change

The progressive organization said that while “many celebrate” the presidential clemency development, “we know it’s not enough” and “the administration should and can go further,” including by fully descheduling marijuana.

“Doing so would end the federal prohibition on cannabis and provide an important economic boon for the industry,” it said. “It should also include economic investment and restoration for the communities harmed by this unjust war.”

“These kinds of charges have been used to needlessly rip millions of Black people away from their communities. Meanwhile, marijuana has been practically legal for rich people and white people for years, while also being the main financial benefactors of practices that put others behind bars for the same actions. President Biden is right, ‘Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach.’ Too much money has been spent to and too much pain and harm inflicted from the lack of comprehensive action on this long standing issue. We look forward to watching today’s 11 families be reunited and will fight for more reunification in the near future.”

Cannabis Freedom Alliance (CFA)

Jeremiah Mosteller, executive director at CFA and a policy director at Americans for Prosperity, said that the president’s action is “a welcome next step toward addressing the overcriminalization of cannabis.”

“However, more needs to be done and the only way to truly end the federal criminalization of cannabis is for President Biden to work with Congress to deschedule the substance,” he said.

Meanwhile, the president’s expanded pardon proclamation comes as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is considering a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III that stemmed from a review that Biden initiated last year in conjunction with his initial marijuana clemency move.

In the year since his first cannabis clemency act, the president has repeatedly pointed to the action as an example of how he’s fulfilling campaign promises—though he’s frequently misstated the scope of the clemency by suggesting people were released from prison and had their criminal records fully expunged.

A presidential pardon represents formal forgiveness for the violation, but it does not constitute an expungement, which typically involves sealing records.

While the action symbolically recognizes the country’s “failed approach” to marijuana policy, it also falls short of the president’s pledges to more holistically enact reform by federally legalizing medical cannabis and decriminalizing the plant.

If DEA ultimately accepts the HHS recommendation to move marijuana to Schedule III, that would not legalize it. However, it would have a meaningful impact in other ways, for example by removing widely criticized research barriers and allowing state-licensed cannabis businesses to take federal tax deductions they’re currently barred from under an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code known as 280E.

Despite the fact that public support for legalization has reached record highs, especially among the Democratic base, the president has declined to embrace the broader reform. After Ohio became the 24th state to enact legalization last month, for example, the White House affirmed that “nothing has changed” with Biden’s position on the issue.

Ohio GOP Governor Pushes Lawmakers To Fix ‘Ridiculous’ Marijuana Sales Delay And Send Tax Revenue To Police

Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.