Pressure Mounts on Biden to Grant Cannabis Clemency
A coalition of cannabis advocates is turning up the pressure on President Joe Biden to make good on his promise of cannabis justice. They’re urging decisive action, pointing to broad and growing public support for reform—and to the people still behind bars.
‘Countdown for Clemency’ Kicks Off
The Last Prisoner Project (LPP), working with partner organizations, has launched the Countdown for Clemency campaign. The goal is straightforward: encourage Biden to extend clemency to nearly 3,000 people still incarcerated for federal marijuana offenses. The timing is deliberate. With Biden’s term moving toward its end, the campaign underscores that every week—every day—matters.
Advocates Call for Concrete Relief
Biden has previously taken steps, including pardoning many people with federal cannabis possession convictions. Yet none of those actions has directly led to anyone’s release from prison. That gap is what advocates want closed. They’re pressing the administration to use clemency powers more broadly and more boldly. As Sarah Gersten, executive director of LPP, put it, “Time is running out on President Biden's term, but it is not too late for him to rectify the injustices faced by families impacted by cannabis criminalization.” The campaign’s website features a live countdown clock—a blunt reminder that the window for change is not open forever.
Public Opinion Favors Release—By a Lot
Polling shows overwhelming support for clemency for people incarcerated for marijuana offenses—conduct that many states have since legalized. Roughly 84% of voters support releasing people serving time for cannabis crimes. About 72% approve of Biden’s earlier pardons for non-violent possession convictions. Those numbers give the campaign a clear mandate and add political weight to its ask.
Congress Turns Up the Heat
Momentum has also grown on Capitol Hill. In March, 36 lawmakers sent a letter urging Biden to commute sentences for non-violent cannabis offenders. Biden, for his part, has struck a careful tone. At a campaign event in Wisconsin, he backed reclassifying marijuana but drew a line between casual users and dealers. “If you’re out selling it, if you’re out growing, it’s a different deal,” he said, signaling caution even as policy shifts are discussed.
Election Clock Sharpens the Focus
With the 2024 election approaching, urgency around cannabis reform is increasingly visible inside the Biden Administration. Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have acknowledged the issue—highlighted by an announcement on April 20, a date with clear meaning in cannabis culture.
Harris has also pressed the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to move faster in reviewing marijuana’s classification under federal law. With only months left in Biden’s presidency, advocates—and families with loved ones still serving cannabis sentences—are looking for a decision that actually opens prison doors, not just headlines. The stakes are personal and immediate for the people who remain incarcerated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Countdown for Clemency campaign?
It’s a national push led by the Last Prisoner Project and partner organizations to persuade President Biden to grant clemency to people incarcerated for federal marijuana offenses, with a visible countdown clock underscoring the time left in his term.
How many people are still in federal prison for marijuana offenses?
Nearly 3,000 individuals remain imprisoned for federal marijuana offenses, which is why advocates are calling for commutations now.
What has President Biden done so far on cannabis cases?
He has issued pardons for federal cannabis possession convictions and voiced support for reclassifying marijuana, but those steps have not directly released people from prison.
Where does public opinion stand on releasing cannabis prisoners?
Polling indicates strong support: about 84% of voters favor releasing people incarcerated for cannabis crimes, and roughly 72% approve of Biden’s earlier pardons for non-violent possession.
Why is the timing especially urgent?
The 2024 election is drawing near, and both Biden and Vice President Harris have acknowledged the issue—the latter urging the DEA to speed its scheduling review. Advocates view the remaining months as the critical window for action.
