Push for change by urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to pardon those convicted of minor marijuana possession in Florida. Contact him via email or by calling 850-488-7146.
President Joe Biden took a major step toward decriminalizing marijuana by pardoning all prior federal offenses of minor marijuana possession, which will clear the records of an estimated 6,500 Americans who have been convicted of these charges at the federal level. Additionally, the Biden administration urged all governors to follow his lead and pardon those convicted of similar offenses in state courts (where minor marijuana convictions are much more common).
President Biden also announced that his administration will review and reconsider marijuana’s current classification as a Schedule 1 narcotic – the same category as cocaine and heroin – which could have major positive implications for the continued research and testing of marijuana as a legitimate medical treatment.
Even though this announcement is not the full federal marijuana legalization or marijuana expungement that advocates (including us) hoped for, this is still incredible news. Pardoning these convictions will help remove obstacles for people trying to get a job, find housing, apply to college or qualify for federal benefits. If state governors follow suit, hundreds of thousands of people could see their lives change for the better.
We believe that no one should be in jail for weed. According to the ACLU, 8.2 million people were arrested on marijuana charges between 2001 and 2010. Of those 8.3 million arrests, nearly 90% of them were for simple possession. Those arrests disproportionally affected people of color, despite the fact marijuana usage rates among people of color and white people have consistently remained about the same.
So what’s next for marijuana decriminalization in Florida?
Local government leaders need to move toward decriminalizing marijuana and making marijuana legal in Florida. As you know, Florida currently operates a medical marijuana program that hundreds of thousands of Floridians benefit from every day. Full legalization (sometimes known as Adult Use or Recreational Use) would give every adult resident access to safe, regulated marijuana products.
We at Surterra Wellness call upon Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials to follow Pres. Biden’s lead and pardon residents of Florida who have been convicted of minor marijuana possession. We also urge the governor and state legislature to consider making marijuana legal for adult recreational use in Florida.
How can you take action for decriminalization in Florida?
As Florida residents, you hold the power to influence your local officials. We encourage you to reach out to them and voice your support for the decriminalization of marijuana and marijuana legalization in Florida. Contact Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio via their websites, or call their congressional offices directly at 202-224-3121.
It is time that we end the stigma around marijuana use and embrace its benefits. Everyone, no matter what state they live in, deserves access to safe, regulated and legal marijuana products.
.svg)
