The ongoing criminal charges related to marijuana possession create contrast within policies and acceptance of its medical uses.  The contradiction is detrimental to many citizens throughout the country who have lost their rights to vote over non violent charges.  

Not only can we tax marijuana moving forward, we can decriminalize it.  As it stands, 47 states, the District of Columbia, and three territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) permit the use of cannabis for medical purposes.  According to the CDC in 2024, fellow citizens endure convictions that not only punish them for nonviolent crimes, but also strip them of their fundamental right to vote in certain cases.

Nonviolent possession charges create a barrier hampering the return to normative societal roles for an individual after a conviction.  The influence in our democratic process is missing these voices that could contribute to society by allowing some individuals their voting rights to be reinstated. The numbers tell a tale of wasted potential and of voices silenced. 

This petition, therefore, asks for the pardon on a federal level of all nonviolent acts related to marijuana possession. In doing so, we aim not only to reduce undue sentencing, alleviate jail capacities, and also restore voting rights to our natural-born United States citizens reuniting Americans engagement with democracy once more.

The road to changing marijuana policies to better align with societal progression is absolutely necessary.  Therefore, with more support, we can clear the path for those unjustly impacted by past convictions. Let's give them a chance to establish a new narrative and contribute to our democratic processes once again.

Please sign this petition, make silenced voices heard again, and champion the change.