By Chrisleen Herard | Trice Edney Wire
(TriceEdneyWire.com) – President Joe Biden has signed an executive order pardoning thousands of Americans who have been federally convicted for a “simple” marijuana possession charge prior to October 6th, 2022. But does this means the smoke of disproportionate arrests and unreasonable and sometimes “mandatory minimum” sentencing is beginning to clear for Black inmates who remain behind bars under additional and state-level charges?
“As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana,” President Biden tweeted, “Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach.”
Marijuana is a psychotropic drug that temporarily changes the natural state of the mind. It consists of two main chemical elements, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering component, and cannabidiol (CBD), the “sedative” component that contains medical benefits for health issues such as: Anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and even addiction, according to Harvard Health.
The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 categorized a plethora of drugs into five different “schedules” based on its “medical use, potential for abuse, and safety or dependence liability.” The statute then further regulated the manufacturing, possession and distribution of those drugs under federal law.
Marijuana, classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, stands out on the list alongside heroin, ecstasy, LSD and…