{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congresswomen-watson-coleman-bush-release-joint-statement-on-president-bidens-actions-on-federal-marijuana-offenses", "Congresswomen Watson Coleman, Bush Release Joint Statement on President Biden\u2019s Actions on Federal Marijuana Offenses", "2022-10-07", "2022", "2022-10", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Lawmakers call on Governors to issue pardons and Congress to take up Drug Policy Reform Act\n\nCongresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) released a joint statement following President Biden\u2019s announcement to pardon anyone who has been convicted of simple marijuana possession and his call to review the classification of marijuana.\n\n\u201cYesterday\u2019s announcement from President Biden is welcome news and long overdue. By granting pardons to thousands of people convicted on simple federal marijuana possession charges and calling for a review of marijuana classification, President Biden is making a strong statement on the need to address long-term impacts of the war on drugs, and for that, we applaud him. We also know that the vast majority of simple marijuana possession convictions happen at the state level, therefore, we echo the President\u2019s call for Governors to follow suit.\n\n\u201cOverall, we must begin to recognize substance use as what it is: a public health issue. The criminalization of poverty, drug use, and possession, inequitable access to resources, and the militarization of police have all had devastating impacts, particularly on Black and brown communities. Last year, we introduced the Drug Policy Reform Act, legislation that would decriminalize all drugs, expunge and seal records, and make investments in health-centered approaches to substance use. Without proper redress and structural solutions rooted in equity and public health, lives will continue to be at risk and our nation\u2019s families and communities will continue to be destabilized. We have an opportunity to fully transform federal drug policy in our country\u2014 and we cannot let it pass us by. We must save lives, protect Black and brown communities, and eliminate injustice everywhere it exists in our society. We urge Congress to swiftly advance our lifesaving bill. \u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congresswomen-watson-coleman-bush-release-joint-statement-on-president-bidens-actions-on-federal-marijuana-offenses"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.0132288336753845, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}