Biden Commutes Sentences Of Nearly 2,500 Convicted of Non-Violent Drug Offenses, No Mention Of Cannabis Prisoners

President Joe Biden has granted clemency to nearly 2,500 non-violent drug offenders as his last hours in the White House wind down.

"Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice," Biden said in a statement Friday. "Today's clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes."

No word yet as to whether non-violent cannabis prisoners will be involved in this group of people receiving commutations.

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The clemency is expected to benefit federal prisoners who are serving or were convicted of crack cocaine-related crimes, noted NPR. The White House said these individuals had received sentences that were longer than they would be under today's drug policies and laws.

Biden told USA Today in a Jan. 8 interview that he would likely address sentencing disparities for offenses involving crack cocaine. “This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars,” he told Susan Page.

The Biden administration often criticized President Ronald Reagan's Anti-Drug Abuse Act that led to the arrest and imprisonment of thousands, a vast majority Black people. Due to automatic sentencing requirements, some people spent decades behind bars for possessing crack or cocaine.

Biden granted a full and unconditional pardon to his son Hunter Biden in early December 2024, drawing criticism from Democrats and Republicans and many in the cannabis community.

Just two weeks after his son's pardon, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent offenses.

Biden has said he would consider additional pardons, according to the NY Times, which could include preemptive pardons for former elected officials who President-elect Donald  Trump has indicated he may target.  

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