Biden pardons thousands for ‘simple possession’ of marijuana

President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base (Andrew Harnik/AP/PA)

US President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step towards decriminalising the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of colour.

Mr Biden’s move also covers thousands convicted of the crime in the District of Columbia. He is also calling on governors to issue similar pardons for those convicted of state marijuana offences, which reflect the vast majority of marijuana possession cases.