Gov. (Texas) Greg Abbott refuses pardons for cannabis convictions

After President Joe Biden announced that he would be pardoning low-level federal marijuana crimes and pressuring the states to do the same, Gov. Greg Abbott has refused to follow. 

After President Joe Biden announced that he would be pardoning low-level federal marijuana crimes and pressuring the states to do the same, Gov. Greg Abbott has refused to follow. 

Renae Eze, a spokesperson for Gov. Abbott, commented, “Texas is not in the habit of taking criminal justice advice from the leader of the defund the police party and someone who has overseen a criminal justice system run amuck with cashless bail and a revolving door for violent criminals”.

Eze also stated, “the governor could only pardon offenders who have been through the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles system with a recommendation for pardon.”

Governors in other states, such as Illinois, Colorado, and Connecticut have applauded Biden after his announcement. The President is also calling for a review of the current Schedule 1 drug classification of cannabis. 

Conversely, governor candidate Beto O’Rourke states on his website, “When I’m governor, we will legalize marijuana and expunge the records of those arrested for marijuana possession—and we’ll use the nearly $1 billion in new state revenue and reduced criminal justice costs to invest in public schools and reduce property taxes.”