Boxer tells the media it’s time for the president to give amnesty to those in jail and ‘end cannabis prohibition once and for all.’
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has urged President Joe Biden to fulfill his commitment to reforming marijuana laws and granting clemency to nonviolent cannabis offenders still imprisoned at the federal level.
Tyson emphasized the need to rectify the injustices of the past and move towards ending cannabis prohibition in the United States.
Addressing the Injustice
Legal cannabis sales in the US are booming, reaching billions annually, yet thousands of individuals, predominantly people of color, remain incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses.
Also read: Carbon-neutral cannabis cultivation in the UK
Tyson stressed that it is unacceptable for individuals to be serving lengthy sentences for conduct that is now legal in nearly half of the country.
Biden’s Pledge and Criticism
While Biden vowed to pardon individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession offenses during his campaign, critics argue that his messaging has been misleading.
Despite claims that no offenders sentenced solely for marijuana possession remain in federal custody, activists highlight the disparity in state penitentiaries, where thousands are still serving time for nonviolent cannabis offenses.
Call for Action
In a video for Reeform, Tyson expressed disbelief that individuals are serving lengthy sentences for cannabis offenses, equating it to “murderers’ time” for what he views as a mild medicine.
He emphasized the need for reconciliation with communities, particularly those disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs, and called on Biden to pressure states to address cannabis-related incarceration.
A Letter to the White House
Tyson, a cannabis advocate and entrepreneur, will send a letter to the White House on Tuesday, urging authorities to acknowledge the heavy toll of the US’s drug war on marginalized communities.
He called for swift action to grant clemency to cannabis offenders and end the ongoing injustices perpetuated by cannabis prohibition.