In what critics call another example of trying to bribe voters ahead the midterm elections, President Joe Biden is handing out pardons for people convicted of simple possession of pot. The pardons would affect about 6,500 people, as most marijuana charges are at the state level - not the federal level.

The Associated Press reports that Biden wants weed removed as a "Schedule I" narcotic, too:

Biden is also directing the secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. attorney general to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, but ahead of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The White House did not set a timeline for the review.

But Biden said he believes that as the federal government and many states ease marijuana laws, they should maintain limitations on trafficking, marketing and underage sales.

The Editorial Board at National Review say it's the latest in a list of examples where the President has violated his oath of office by taking clearly (and admittedly) unconstitutional actions.

The president’s pardon power, however, is a practically monarchical power, and the courts cannot remedy its abuse; only Congress can do so. Biden apparently now thinks we should not have federal laws against possession of marijuana. He should ask Congress to repeal those laws, which he had a major hand in writing during his 36 years in the Senate. If Congress did repeal them, Biden might have a case for making that repeal effectively retroactive via a blanket presidential pardon.

But that would require Biden to acknowledge that the Constitution allows Congress to make the laws, and requires presidents to enforce them. Instead, he simply issued over 6,000 pardons, and in so doing, sent a clear message that he will consider those laws nullified going forward. He refuses to take care that the laws be executed; he is taking care that they be flouted, and stripping Congress of the power to decide whether to repeal them.

The president’s pardon power, however, is a practically monarchical power, and the courts cannot remedy its abuse; only Congress can do so. Biden apparently now thinks we should not have federal laws against possession of marijuana. He should ask Congress to repeal those laws, which he had a major hand in writing during his 36 years in the Senate. If Congress did repeal them, Biden might have a case for making that repeal effectively retroactive via a blanket presidential pardon.

But that would require Biden to acknowledge that the Constitution allows Congress to make the laws, and requires presidents to enforce them. Instead, he simply issued over 6,000 pardons, and in so doing, sent a clear message that he will consider those laws nullified going forward. He refuses to take care that the laws be executed; he is taking care that they be flouted, and stripping Congress of the power to decide whether to repeal them.

In what critics call another example of trying to bribe voters ahead the midterm elections, President Joe Biden is handing out pardons for people convicted of simple possession of pot. The pardons would affect about 6,500 people, as most marijuana charges are at the state level - not the federal level.
The Associated Press reports that Biden wants weed removed as a "Schedule I" narcotic, too:
<blockquote>
Biden is also directing the secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. attorney general to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, but ahead of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The White House did not set a timeline for the review.
But Biden said he believes that as the federal government and many states ease marijuana laws, they should maintain limitations on trafficking, marketing and underage sales.
</blockquote>
The Editorial Board at National Review say it's the latest in a list of examples where the President has violated his oath of office by taking clearly (and admittedly) unconstitutional actions.
<blockquote>
The president’s pardon power, however, is a practically monarchical power, and the courts cannot remedy its abuse; only Congress can do so. Biden apparently now thinks we should not have federal laws against possession of marijuana. He should ask Congress to repeal those laws, which he had a major hand in writing during his 36 years in the Senate. If Congress did repeal them, Biden might have a case for making that repeal effectively retroactive via a blanket presidential pardon.
But that would require Biden to acknowledge that the Constitution allows Congress to make the laws, and requires presidents to enforce them. Instead, he simply issued over 6,000 pardons, and in so doing, sent a clear message that he will consider those laws nullified going forward. He refuses to take care that the laws be executed; he is taking care that they be flouted, and stripping Congress of the power to decide whether to repeal them.
The president’s pardon power, however, is a practically monarchical power, and the courts cannot remedy its abuse; only Congress can do so. Biden apparently now thinks we should not have federal laws against possession of marijuana. He should ask Congress to repeal those laws, which he had a major hand in writing during his 36 years in the Senate. If Congress did repeal them, Biden might have a case for making that repeal effectively retroactive via a blanket presidential pardon.
But that would require Biden to acknowledge that the Constitution allows Congress to make the laws, and requires presidents to enforce them. Instead, he simply issued over 6,000 pardons, and in so doing, sent a clear message that he will consider those laws nullified going forward. He refuses to take care that the laws be executed; he is taking care that they be flouted, and stripping Congress of the power to decide whether to repeal them.
</blockquote>

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