Today we are covering two headlines:
Kentucky Governor ‘Actively Considering’ Marijuana Pardons After Biden’s Federal Action, Urging People To Apply For Relief
Here's the breakdown: The Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, is “actively considering” potential clemency actions related to marijuana following President Joe Biden’s pardon announcement last week. Beshear has asked the state’s Administrative Office of the Courts to review state-level cannabis cases and identify the number of people in Kentucky with misdemeanor marijuana charges on their records. The governor has also encouraged people with marijuana-only convictions to apply for a pardon. He is still advocating for medical cannabis legalization in the state, but recognises the importance of providing relief to those who have been criminalized for marijuana.
Only One In Four Republicans Admit Marijuana Laws Are Enforced Unfairly Against People Of Color, Poll Finds
Here's the breakdown: Only 24% of Republicans agree that people of colour are unfairly punished over marijuana, despite data consistently showing that Black and Hispanic people are disproportionately arrested for cannabis compared to white people, according to a new poll by Data for Progress. The survey also revealed that the message is not getting through to a significant number of Democrats and independents, though they are far more likely to acknowledge disparities. 52% of Americans agreed with the idea that “people of colour are unfairly punished for possession of marijuana compared to white people”. 77% of Democrats agreed, with 54% saying they strongly agreed. Just 24% of Republicans agreed, including only 11% who strongly agreed.
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