Biden: Promises Kept / Promises Broken: on Drugs


Joe Biden: Pardon people in federal jail for smoking marijuana

PROMISE MADE: (CNN, 5/16/19): Asked about legalizing marijuana, a Biden spokesman said "Biden does not believe anyone should be in jail simply for smoking or possessing marijuana. He supports decriminalizing marijuana and automatically expunging prior criminal records for possession, so those affected don't have to figure out how to petition for it or pay for a lawyer."

PROMISE PARTIALLY KEPT: (CNN, 10/6/22): Biden will pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession [because such offenses] "incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit," Biden said. "Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed needless barriers to employment. Black & brown people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates." He will also encourage governors to take similar steps to pardon state simple marijuana possession charges, and will "expeditiously" review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.

Source: CNBC and Reuters analysis of Biden Promises Oct 6, 2022

  • The above quotations are from Promises Kept / Promises Broken
    Comparison of Biden campaign vs. Biden Administration.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Joe Biden on Drugs.
  • Click here for more quotes by Kamala Harris on Drugs.
2016 Presidential contenders on Drugs:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2023