Biden Commutes Sentences of Nearly 2,500 Nonviolent Drug Offenders

LOS ANGELES- President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of approximately 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, marking a significant use of executive clemency. This action aims to address past disparities in drug-related sentencing, particularly those involving crack and powder cocaine.

The White House has not released the names of those who received commutations. Advocacy groups, including Families Against Mandatory Minimums and the Last Prisoner Project, have praised this move as a step toward rectifying longstanding injustices within the criminal justice system.

Despite these commutations, there has been no specific mention of clemency for individuals incarcerated solely for cannabis-related offenses. This omission has been noted by various advocacy groups and individuals who continue to call for broader reforms concerning cannabis convictions.

This recent action builds upon President Biden’s previous clemency efforts. In December 2024, he commuted the sentences of approximately 1,500 individuals who had been released to home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes.

These cumulative efforts underscore the administration’s commitment to criminal justice reform, particularly in addressing the consequences of past drug policies. However, the absence of specific clemency for cannabis-related offenses indicates that further actions may be necessary to fully address disparities related to cannabis convictions.