Washington DC - President Joe Biden fulfilled one of his campaign promises by pardoning all prior federal convictions of low-grade offenses for possession of marijuana (POM) and asked the attorney general to "expeditiously" assess how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.

In a statement, Biden said the move reflects his view that "no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana."

"There are thousands of people who have prior federal convictions for marijuana possession, who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result," he said. "My action will help relieve the collateral consequences arising from these convictions."

Senior administration officials said President Biden's executive actions will positively affect Americans with prior simple POM convictions, and those charged with possession in the District of Columbia.

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In a video announcement, the president said, "It’s legal in many states, and criminal records for marijuana possession have led to needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. And that’s before you address the racial disparities around who suffers the consequences. While white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates."

The move to pardon low-grade federal POM convictions stops just shy of fully decriminalizing marijuana, but marks the first time any US president has taken significant steps towards eradicating criminal penalties.

Biden also encouraged governors to take similar steps towards pardoning simple POM charges, and asked Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Health and Human Services to review how marijuana is scheduled as a "drug" under federal law.

Currently, marijuana is scheduled in the same category as drugs such as LSD and heroin.

"Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs," Biden said.