When President Joe Biden in October granted blanket pardons to more than 6,500 Americans convicted of marijuana possession under federal law, he urged governors to pardon the much greater number of low-level marijuana offenders in their states.
But the response from governors has been mixed.
Some Democratic governors are taking steps toward heeding Biden’s call — or note that they’ve already moved to erase minor drug convictions that can bar former offenders from jobs, housing and student financial aid. Other governors, from both parties, have pointed out that they can’t issue blanket pardons, since pardoning power resides with a board or commission.
