First, it should probably be said that Dark Brandon's federal mass pardon for marijuana possession today is the just and right thing to do. It's never been fair that some folks, usually people of color, have been languishing in jail for a minor offense that several states have already legalized. (We could add, "while white-collar criminals like Benedict Donald continue to roam free," etc. But we digress.)
Second, though, politically, it's delicious. Legalizing marijuana is very popular in red states like Alaska, Kansas and Georgia, but despite that, Republicans in charge have led the fight against it — hoping no one would really notice. Now, thanks to Biden, they'll be forced off their precarious perch.
"Biden’s actions...do not directly affect the vast majority of marijuana-related convictions, which are pursued under state law," The Washington Post explains. "Biden administration officials said the President would use his action to encourage state governors to offer mass pardons under their own authority." HAHAHAHAHAHA!
It also will guarantee that Republican leaders will piss off half of their base — either the nutjob religious freaks who are anti-weed, or the libertarian, Trumpy biker types who smoke it. (Think of the dude in the "True Florida Cracker — Endangered Species" T-shirt who cheerfully chatted up Biden in yesterday's pouty DeSantis photo: Yep, that guy's a canibisseur for sure.)
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has been in public office nearly as long as the War on Drugs has existed. And while he's always had a reputation as a centrist, it seems pretty clear that now that he's realized his lifelong dream, he's gone whole-hog progressive on us. He's 79. He's President. He must have said to himself, screw it — I'm gonna be the most lefty POTUS ever. We cats PURR.
No comments:
Post a Comment