This story originally appeared in the Missouri Independent.
While announcing a plan to pardon those with prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession, President Joe Biden urged governor’s to follow suit for those convicted of state offenses.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who has granted clemency to more people than any Missouri governor in the past four decades, doesn’t appear ready to heed the president’s call.
In a statement released to the media on Thursday, the governor’s spokeswoman indicated he will continue to handle clemency on a case-by-case basis.
“Gov. Parson has used his state constitutional authority to grant pardons to individuals who demonstrate a changed life-style, commitment to rehabilitation, contrition and contribution to their communities — rather than as a blanket approach to undermine existing law,” the statement said.
Under Missouri law, anyone seeking clemency must apply to the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole, which makes recommendations to the governor.
Last month, Parson granted 26 pardons, bringing his total to more than 100 so far this year.
On Thursday, the president pledged to issue pardons to anyone with a federal conviction for marijuana possession.
Biden also directed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and Attorney General Merrick Garland to…