Governor Polis Applauds President Biden’s Nationwide Pardon

DENVER- Today, Governor Polis applauded President Biden’s issuing of a nationwide pardon for all marijuana use and possession offenses. 

“I’m thrilled to see President Biden following Colorado’s lead by pardoning federal and D.C. marijuana use and possession offenses. This overdue action will help people who were convicted for something that is no longer a crime get jobs, housing, and more. This is a major step toward breaking down barriers and helping more people and our economy thrive,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

In 2020, Governor Polis issued an Executive Order pardoning Coloradans with marijuana possession convictions of one ounce or less, pardoning 2,732 total convictions. In 2021, following increases to the legal amount of marijuana a person could possess, Governor Polis pardoned another 1,351 possession convictions. This action removed barriers for Coloradans whose past convictions were no longer illegal under updated present laws. 

###