NCBCP AND BLACK WOMEN’S ROUNDTABLE APPLAUD PRESIDENT BIDEN’S PARDONS AND SENTENCE COMMUTATIONS FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION
WASHINGTON – On Friday, December 22, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its decision to pardon thousands of Americans convicted of marijuana possession on federal lands and commute the sentences of nearly a dozen non-violent drug offenders. The milestone is a welcomed development and a positive step taken by the Administration to reforming the nation’s criminal justice system and addressing structural disparities. Melanie L. Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Convener of The Black Women’s Roundtable expressed her support for this initiative, stating, “The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Black Women’s Roundtable wholeheartedly applauds President Biden for this far-reaching and compassionate action. The decision to pardon individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession is a critical step towards correcting the historical injustices perpetuated by our criminal justice system against communities of color....