President Biden today granted the most federal clemency grants in one day comprising nearly 1,500 commutations for individuals serving their sentences under home confinement and 39 individuals pardoned for nonviolent drug offenses. In the White House statement the administration noted that:

"The President’s categorical approach to clemency has also inspired leaders across the country to take similar action. Over ten states and localities, including Maryland and Massachusetts, have issued categorical clemency for marijuana convictions, impacting hundreds of thousands of people and allowing individuals to move past their convictions and move on with their daily lives."

The statement also made clear that more clemency was to come in the waning days of the Biden administration, and the President "will continue to review clemency petitions and deliver criminal justice reform in a manner that advances equity and justice, promotes public safety, supports rehabilitation and reentry, and provides meaningful second chances."

LPP Executive Director, Sarah Gersten said: "We are heartened to see the President using his clemency power more robustly, and are eager to see more action before he leaves office. It's clear from the White House's statement that the administration sees nonviolent drug offenders, and particularly those impacted by unjust cannabis offenses, as a critical category of clemency recipients deserving relief."

LPP has submitted several clemency petitions for nonviolent cannabis offenders who are currently serving their sentence on home confinement under the CARES act. This story is developing and will be updated when the clemency recipients are identified.