INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb says he will not consider blanket pardons for all prior offenses of simple possession of marijuana despite President Biden’s announcement of a plan to do so on the federal level.
It comes after Biden said he had instructed Attorney General Merrick Garland to develop an administration process so certificates of pardons go out to eligible individuals.
Biden has also asked governors to use their pardoning powers for marijuana convictions at the state level.
Holcomb pushed back, saying that the President should coordinate with Congress when it comes to changes to federal law.
“The President should work with Congress, not around them, to discuss changes to the law federally, especially if he is requesting Governors to overturn the work local prosecutors have done by simply enforcing the law. Until these federal law changes occur, I can’t in good conscience consider issuing blanket pardons for all such offenders,” Holcomb’s office said in a written statement.
