{"id":31908,"date":"2022-05-19T18:08:36","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T18:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/?p=31908"},"modified":"2022-05-19T18:08:36","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T18:08:36","slug":"congress-should-make-it-easier-for-people-to-get-pardons-for-marijuana-and-drug-convictions-lawmakers-say-at-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/2022\/05\/19\/congress-should-make-it-easier-for-people-to-get-pardons-for-marijuana-and-drug-convictions-lawmakers-say-at-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"Congress Should Make It Easier For People To Get Pardons For Marijuana And Drug Convictions, Lawmakers Say At Hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<\/p>\n<div id=\"mvp-content-main\">\n<p>The federal clemency process is in dire need of reform, Democratic lawmakers urged at a congressional hearing on Thursday. Streamlining the way applications for pardons and commutations are considered, they said, could help address mass incarceration caused by punitive policies like the war on drugs and allow more Americans access to jobs, housing and education.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said fixing the clemency process would help right the wrongs of harsh sentences and racially disproportionate policing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOver the past several decades, Republicans and Democrats have failed to employ this power, which rests solely in the president,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter decades of draconian mandatory sentencing policies, far too many nonviolent federal offenders\u2014disproportionately people of color\u2014remain in prison serving what we know now are unnecessarily harsher sentences.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Oversight Hearing on Clemency and the Office of the Pardon Attorney\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5pWdG5GdXsM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The hearing comes as a growing number of Democrats call on the Biden administration to speed clemency relief to people with nonviolent drug convictions on their records. In April, Biden <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/biden-finally-grants-relief-to-people-with-federal-marijuana-and-drug-convictions-after-more-than-a-year-in-office\/\" rel=\"noopener\">commuted the sentences of 75 individuals<\/a> who were previously released to home confinement during the pandemic, a move advocates say is a step forward but far from the mass pardons they\u2019ve been pushing for.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must do something to reform the clemency and pardon process,\u201d Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), who chairs the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, which held Thursday\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/judiciary.house.gov\/calendar\/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=4938\" rel=\"noopener\">hearing<\/a>, said. \u201cWe need to begin to reform this process immediately, for there are too many mothers and fathers and people who are seeking to do better in this nation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nadler said he hoped the panel\u2019s discussion would lead to proposals \u201cthat will help enable President Biden and his successors to apply the power of executive clemency as the framers intended, as a tool necessary to the fair administration of justice.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Clemency is the only remaining relief for many of these people. Yet thousands of clemency petitions are currently pending due to the more than 15,000 petitions left by the previous administration for President Biden to consider.<\/p>\n<p>2\/<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HouseJudiciary\/status\/1527283533793964032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"noopener\">May 19, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Reform advocates have long criticized the current administrative clemency system, a lengthy and complicated process that involves applicants submitting petitions to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, a body housed within the U.S. Department of Justice. Some say having law enforcement serve such a central role in clemency cases is a contradiction.<\/p>\n<p>Nadler, for one, called the DOJ\u2019s role in reviewing clemency petitions an \u201cinherent conflict of interest.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Late last year, a coalition of congressional lawmakers introduced the Fair and Independent Experts in Clemency (FIX Clemency) Act, a bill that would <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/congressional-lawmakers-file-bill-to-streamline-presidential-clemency-as-drug-war-drives-mass-incarceration\/\" rel=\"noopener\">take clemency review away from the Justice Department<\/a> and instead establish an independent board appointed by the president.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), who sponsored the FIX Clemency Act, noted at Thursday\u2019s hearing that the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with more than 200,000 people in federal custody, \u201cdisproportionately Black, Latino, Indigenous, disabled, and LGBTQ+.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She noted that there are more than 17,000 clemency applications pending before DOJ.<\/p>\n<p>While a president can unilaterally grant clemency without the Justice Department\u2019s go-ahead\u2014a right President Donald Trump frequently exercised\u2014supporters of reform say it\u2019s necessary that an independent body be created to ensure that all deserving cases are identified. That includes people impacted by the drug war.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HouseJudiciary?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"noopener\">@HouseJudiciary<\/a> commends <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"noopener\">@POTUS<\/a> for issuing more than 1,700 grants of clemency primarily to nonviolent drug offenders who would have received a lower sentence if they were charged with the same offenses today.<\/p>\n<p>4\/<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HouseJudiciary\/status\/1527283536448872448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"noopener\">May 19, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Pressley\u2019s proposal would establish an independent clemency board comprised of appointees including behavioral health experts and people who were formerly incarcerated.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI believe that people closest to the pain should be the closest to the power,\u201d Pressley said, \u201cdriving and informing the policymaking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGrowing up with an incarcerated parent, I can only imagine how different my own childhood would have been if my father was able to get the medical help and treatment he desperately needed and deserved,\u201d Pressley said. \u201cInstead his opioid addiction, which today would be treated as a public health issue, was criminalized.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pressley applauded Biden\u2019s limited commutations and pardons last month but said Congress needs to continue the momentum to address the backlog of clemency petitions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere must be a structural change,\u201d she said. \u201cMore than 150 years ago, Congress created the current clemency process, and now is the time for Congress to fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Republicans at Thursday\u2019s hearing said they generally support a president\u2019s use of clemency, arguing that many Democrats failed to appreciate Trump\u2019s granting of clemency to military service members involved in war crimes cases.\u00a0Other GOP committee members stressed that very few people currently incarcerated are behind bars for simple cannabis possession crimes.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Congress must help the Office of the Pardon Attorney and the President reach more of these individuals and provide relief that will allow them the ability to return to their communities from home confinement without risking a return to prison.<\/p>\n<p>6\/6<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HouseJudiciary\/status\/1527283540215332864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"noopener\">May 19, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One witness who spoke during Thursday\u2019s hearing in favor of creating an independent clemency review body was Rachel Barcow, an New York University School of Law professor. Barcow noted the reform wouldn\u2019t cut out the DOJ entirely.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou still get input from the Department of Justice, you still ask about facts of the case from prosecutors,\u201d Barcow said, \u201cbut you have it be evaluated by an objective party that doesn\u2019t tilt on one side or the other. It\u2019s just trying to think what is the best outcome and advice to give the president.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So far Biden\u2019s limited commutations have typically been granted to people with low-level drug offenses with up to four years left in their sentence and who were eligible for home confinement. About 8,300 federal inmates were allowed to temporarily transition to home confinement amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>Biden has received about a dozen\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/senators-urge-biden-to-grant-mass-pardon-for-thousands-of-marijuana-cases\/\" rel=\"noopener\">letters<\/a>\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/republican-lawmakers-tell-biden-to-keep-marijuana-campaign-promise-by-reclassifying-it-under-federal-law\/\" rel=\"noopener\">from<\/a>\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/gop-lawmakers-blast-biden-and-harris-over-continued-silence-on-marijuana-and-urge-rescheduling\/\" rel=\"noopener\">lawmakers<\/a>,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/drake-killer-mike-and-other-celebs-push-biden-to-issue-mass-marijuana-pardons\/\" rel=\"noopener\">advocates<\/a>, celebrities and people impacted by criminalization to\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/aoc-calls-on-biden-to-use-executive-authority-on-marijuana-policy-as-presidents-agenda-stalls-in-congress\/\" rel=\"noopener\">do something<\/a>\u00a0about the people who remain behind federal bars over cannabis. After months of inaction, some members of Congress like\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/elizabeth-warren-pushes-biden-to-do-mass-marijuana-pardons-with-the-stroke-of-a-pen\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)<\/a>\u00a0have even\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/congressional-lawmakers-want-urgent-update-from-biden-on-marijuana-pardons-as-holidays-approach\/\" rel=\"noopener\">sent follow-up letters<\/a>\u00a0demanding a response.<\/p>\n<p>Among those pushing for reform is Weldon Angelos, a person who <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/what-trumps-pardon-means-for-this-man-who-served-13-years-in-prison-for-marijuana\/\" rel=\"noopener\">received a president pardon from Trump in 2020<\/a> and has since become a key advocate for criminal justice reform who has worked with both the Trump and Biden administration of furthering relief.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe recently had an impactful meeting at the White House to discuss clemency matters, especially for those incarcerated for cannabis offenses, and also those out on CARES Act,\u201d Angelos recently told Marijuana Moment. \u201cThe meeting was very encouraging, and we believe President Biden will keep his campaign pledge to grant categorical clemency for cannabis offenders.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Biden campaigned on cannabis reform, promising that he would push for decriminalization, rescheduling and ensuring that people aren\u2019t locked up over marijuana. \u00a0Late last year, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said\u00a0Biden had \u201cevery intention of using his clemency power.\u201d In the meantime, advocates and some lawmakers have grown impatient.<\/p>\n<p>A report published by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) last year affirmed that the president has the power to\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/biden-administration-can-legalize-marijuana-without-waiting-for-lawmakers-congressional-researchers-say\/\" rel=\"noopener\">grant mass pardons for cannabis offenses<\/a>. It also said that the administration can move to federally legalize cannabis without waiting for lawmakers to act.<\/p>\n<p>Despite having the authority to unilaterally issue a mass pardon for people with federal cannabis convictions, however, Biden until last month <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/biden-pardons-turkeys-but-white-house-has-nothing-new-on-relief-for-marijuana-prisoners\/\" rel=\"noopener\">had previously only ceremonially pardoned turkeys<\/a> around Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"ZaM3vGiNOs\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/rhode-island-senators-approve-revised-marijuana-legalization-bill-with-house-action-expected-imminently\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Rhode Island Marijuana Legalization Bills Head To Senate And House Floors Following Committee Approval<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"\u201cRhode Island Marijuana Legalization Bills Head To Senate And House Floors Following Committee Approval\u201d \u2014 Marijuana Moment\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/rhode-island-senators-approve-revised-marijuana-legalization-bill-with-house-action-expected-imminently\/embed\/#?secret=rSvVdYLUdG#?secret=ZaM3vGiNOs\" data-secret=\"ZaM3vGiNOs\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"cb_p6_patreon_button\" style=\"text-align:center !important;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;\">\n<p>Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment?utm_content=post_button&amp;utm_medium=patron_button_and_widgets_plugin&amp;utm_campaign=749657&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_source=https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/congress-should-make-it-easier-for-people-to-get-pardons-for-marijuana-and-drug-convictions-lawmakers-say-at-hearing\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin-top: 10px;margin-bottom: 10px;max-width:200px;width:100%;height:auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/patron-plugin-pro\/plugin\/lib\/patron-button-and-widgets-by-codebard\/images\/become_a_patron_button.png?is-pending-load=1\" srcset=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" class=\" jetpack-lazy-image\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin-top: 10px;margin-bottom: 10px;max-width:200px;width:100%;height:auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/patron-plugin-pro\/plugin\/lib\/patron-button-and-widgets-by-codebard\/images\/become_a_patron_button.png\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/congress-should-make-it-easier-for-people-to-get-pardons-for-marijuana-and-drug-convictions-lawmakers-say-at-hearing\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] The federal clemency process is in dire need of reform, Democratic lawmakers urged at&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31908"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31910,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31908\/revisions\/31910"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}