District Attorney, Area Policy Reform Activist React To President’s Announcement On Marijuana

In the wake of President Joe Biden’s announcement that the criminalization of marijuana was a “failed approach,” there was reaction in Bucks County and around Pennsylvania.

The president on Thursday announced a pardon of all federal marijuana possession convictions and urged governors to do the same for state-level convictions for marijuana possession. Additionally, Biden requested that the classification of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act be reviewed by federal health and law enforcement officials. Cannabis is currently categorized as a Schedule I substance, the same category as heroin, and bath salts, and LSD.

Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub reacted to the news by stating he understands the president has the authority to pardon federal convictions.

“Until marijuana decriminalization has been legislated by our state and federal legislatures, we will continue to enforce the marijuana laws as they are written, but with discretion and with mercy,” said Weintraub, a Republican.

The district attorney said his office currently diverts Bucks Countians charged with possessing marijuana to a treatment diversionary program.

“If they successfully complete it, then their case is dismissed, and in instances of first offenses, their arrests are expunged,” he stated.

Nationally, law enforcement in many places has looked to alternatives to harsh marijuana punishments, several states have legalized recreational marijuana. Many states, like Pennsylvania, have legalized medical marijuana.

“Until marijuana decriminalization has been legislated by our state and federal legislatures, we will continue to enforce the marijuana laws as they are written, but with discretion and with mercy. For example, police have great discretion in who they arrest, and for what. However, I would discourage a wholesale practice of marijuana decriminalization by any Bucks County police department,” Weintraub said.

The push for legalized recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania has continued, but it hasn’t moved forward in the GOP-controlled legislature.

Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, both Democrats, are pushing a program to issue pardons for nonviolent marijuana criminal convictions at the state level.

Joe Drum, a resident of Souderton, Montgomery County, has been an advocate for marijuana policy reform. He welcomed the news of Biden’s action.

“This is absolutely overdue. It should have happened a long time ago but better late than never. Cannabis never should have been criminalized. Bad science, corruption and propaganda are the foundation of our cannabis policy. It’s been a massive failure by every measure possible. Nothing good has come from it,” he told LevittownNow.com.

Drum said he has been motivated to campaign for reform because marijuana is a “healthier alternative to alcohol” and those who wish to use it should do so “without fear of government persecution.”

“To people who oppose this, I say cannabis is objectively safer than alcohol and opioids. For many, it is an ‘exit drug’ rather than a ‘gateway’ to harder substances,” he stated.

Fetterman, who is running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat, spoke with Biden about the issue during a Pittsburgh event in early September.

“This is a BFD and a massive step towards justice,” he said.

“This action from President Biden is exactly what this work should be about: improving people’s lives. I commend the president for taking this significant, necessary, and just step to right a wrong and better the lives of millions of Americans,” Fetterman added.

According to the White House more than 6,500 Americans between 1992 to 2021 were convicted of simple possession of marijuana under federal law. The pardon would impact those people and thousands more who were convicted under Washington D.C. law, which is set by federal politicians.

Presently, none of the thousands of people convicted of simple possession of marijuana remain in prison solely on that charge.

“There are thousands of people with prior federal convictions for marijuana possession who may be denied housing, employment, or educational opportunities as a result. This pardon will help relieve those collateral consequences,” a senior White House official told reporters during a Thursday briefing call.

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