Following through on a longstanding campaign promise, President Joe Biden’s administration finally began the process of issuing marijuana pardon certificates to those with low-level, federal possession convictions. The Presidential pardon portal is now open.
A pardon is an expression of the President’s forgiveness. It does not signify innocence or expunge the conviction. According to the government, it may remove civil disabilities — such as restrictions on the right to vote, to hold office, or to sit on a jury — that are imposed because of the pardoned conviction, and it may also be helpful in obtaining licenses, bonding, or employment.
Under President Biden’s directive, between 6,500 and 20,000 Americans will be able to apply for written proof that their federal convictions have been pardoned, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission and the Office of the Pardon Attorney. This marks the first time that a President has ever used the power of the executive to provide legal relief to the cannabis community.
The fastest way to submit a request for a presidential marijuana pardon is online. If you send us the request form (PDF) by email or mail, it may take longer to process it:
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of the Pardon Attorney
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530
Download the request form (PDF) and email the completed form to [email protected]. If you include charging or conviction documents with the request, attach PDF copies of them to the email.
Activists had complained earlier this year that applications for the presidential marijuana pardon were not available. President Biden appears to now be providing legal relief to those with federal marijuana-related convictions.
