Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s push to have state governors issue pardons for those convicted of marijuana possession hit a roadblock in Louisiana, where Republican Gov. Jeff Landry firmly rejected the idea by vetoing a bill aimed at pardoning marijuana offenders. Landry cited the state’s constitution as the basis for his decision, emphasizing the requirement for a favorable recommendation from the Board of Pardons before considering pardons, a step bypassed by the proposed legislation.
House Bill 391, introduced by Democratic State Reps. Boyd, Chassion, and Knox sought to allow for the pardon of individuals convicted of certain marijuana possession offenses without completing their sentences or receiving a recommendation from the Board of Pardons. However, Landry stood his ground, asserting that the bill was unnecessary given existing provisions in the Louisiana Constitution that already address automatic pardons for first-time nonviolent offenses.
Louisiana Governor Signs Bills To Decriminalize Marijuana Paraphernalia And Regulate Hemp Products#Louisiana 🇺🇸 #Cannabis 🌿https://t.co/gignVt54E1 pic.twitter.com/8VyJPmdPaH
— Todd Harrison (@todd_harrison) June 25, 2024
Critics of the bill, including Gov. Landry, viewed it as an extension of President Biden’s perceived leniency on crime, characterizing it as part of a broader “no-consequences-for-criminals agenda.” In a statement, Landry made clear his commitment to upholding law and order in Louisiana, rejecting what he described as attempts to align the state with Biden’s softer stance on criminal justice.
This clash between Biden’s national push for marijuana offense pardons and Governor Landry’s staunch opposition underscores the ongoing debate over crime and punishment in America. Despite Biden’s previous mass pardon for federal marijuana offenses in 2022, the tension between federal directives and state-level decisions highlights the complexities of criminal justice policy and the differing approaches taken by leaders at various levels of government.
