The Biden administration delivered a monumental announcement concerning federal pardons for minor marijuana convictions late Thursday, Oct. 7, a policy issue that Pennsylvania Lt. Governor and Senate candidate John Fetterman has pushed for a long time. 

Fetterman, a Democrat, wrote on Twitter that he addressed the matter directly with the president last month.

“This is a [big deal] and a massive step towards justice. Thank you, Mr. President,” wrote Fetterman. 

The Senate hopeful has long stood solitary on his marijuana platform and has become one of the country’s leading voices calling for reform. On his campaign website, Fetterman dons weed merchandise, making it abundantly clear for constituents that his marijuana policy views are here to stay. 

Those views run in the family, as Fetterman’s wife and Second Lady of Pennsylvania Gisele Barreto Fetterman sees the same regarding marijuana legislation, which disproportionately punishes the Commonwealth’s Black and Brown communities.

With almost a month to go before the November elections, policy views will become increasingly decisive for campaign optics

AL DÍA News: Why is Biden’s announcement important to you?

It’s a huge win. Biden’s announcement means a number of Pennsylvanians – especially those in the Black and Latino communities – who for years have dealt with the repercussions of having nonviolent cannabis charges on their record, are finally free. And it means that everyone who has suffered from chronic pain or other health issues like me, can finally receive the pain relief they need without judgment. 

But this also goes beyond cannabis. It’s a signal that accomplishing tough things is possible.

AL DÍA News: How have you seen criminalization affect minority communities in Pennsylvania? 

For one, the criminalization of cannabis is directly linked to the number of Black and Brown people who have nonviolent criminal charges on their record. So many parents, siblings, and kids have been thrown into jail for cannabis-related charges. And even those who are lucky enough to get out, are now branded with a criminal record and told to get out and make it in the world. I don’t think that’s fair. Minority communities deserve a better chance and I think with Biden’s promise, we can finally give that to them. 
AL DÍA News: Any particular story that moves you?

The story – or should I say the nightmare – of Mr. Marc Hilliard Fogel is one that touched me dearly, not just because he is from Pennsylvania but because he is a prime example of the injustices that exist when we criminalize cannabis. For years, Mr. Fogel served as an educator, but today, he is sitting in a Russian jail cell for trying to enter the country with half an ounce of cannabis. That’s it! That was his crime. 

My hope is that Mr. Fogel’s story gets the attention that it deserves and that he and others like him who are currently incarcerated see justice. 

AL DÍA News: Do you believe Mr. Fetterman’s policy view on decriminalized marijuana is a path toward closing disparities in the justice system? 

This is absolutely a path in the right direction. My husband John has always stood on the right side of history, even if that meant he had to stand alone. When it comes to calling for the pardon of the thousands of people convicted of cannabis possession, he did stand alone a lot of the time but he did it because it was what he believed in and because he knew it was right. 

It’s amazing to see that the years that he put into this fight are finally reaping benefits. Now the next step is to ensure that everyone who has been dragged through the criminal justice system for nonviolent cannabis-related charges gets the justice they deserve. 

AL DÍA News: What is the path you hope to see going forward in Pennsylvania? 

My hope is that we put an end to the stigma and misinformation that surrounds cannabis. 

A few years ago, I made it public that I was one of the thousands of Pennsylvanians who had a medical marijuana card and suffered from chronic pain. After sharing my story, so many people would come up to me and say “you don’t look like a pothead” or “you don’t look like someone who likes to smoke.” 

I think that is a huge part of the issue. The stigma and misinformation that surrounds cannabis close people off from looking at the positives of cannabis. From helping those who want more natural alternatives to relieve their chronic pain (like me!) to those who simply want to use cannabis for recreational use. It should be something we understand, not fear.