The Criminal Justice System and the Cannabis Industry will not have integrity as long as there are non-violent marijuana only offenders serving sentences of life without parole and other egregious sentences. Yes, clemencies have drifted out of the pardon attorney's office since the Obama administration. It's frustrating that the category of nonviolent marijuana only offenders with these egregious sentences have not been singled out as a category for mercy and compassion.
At the present time, there are many who are praising the past pardon attorney for not recommending compassion for someone who had a gun specification in their charges. Over the years, many individuals have received clemency who had gun specifications in their sentencing.
Our sentencing is so harsh that we have the highest % of citizens living in a small concrete cell of all countries governed by the rule of law.
During the Biden administration, the prison population increased and the budget for the Pardon Attorney's office increased fourfold. The most intriguing thing about this budget is that it was used to look at applications for clemency with the purpose of denying them and closing them without comment. Over 10,000 were closed without comment and over 13,000 were denied.
This is not without consequences for those who are hoping for mercy. The process of reapplying and getting the necessary support is endless and stressful, yet that is the status for these individuals who hope for compassion.
We are hopeful that nonviolent marijuana only and others serving egregiously long sentences will get a second look in the near future.
