TN officials: marijuana pardon won't make much of a difference

[Duppers]

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/local-officials-marijuana-pardon-wont-make-much-of-a-difference-in-tennessee/

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Following President Biden’s recent order to pardon everyone convicted of simple marijuana possession charges, officials in Tennessee say the pardon won’t make much of an impact here.

“If there comes a time in Tennessee where the laws change, then I’ll abide by it, but at this point [marijuana] is still illegal and we’ll prosecute it,” said District Attorney of the Third District Dan Armstrong.

Armstrong says that if people are charged with possession, there are ways it can eventually be taken off their record. “If they’re charged, if they do their probation and pay their fines, those things are expugnable and they get it taken off their record.”
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Nice to know that officials will abide by federal law.

[FBaggins]

1. The president can only pardon federal crimes

Most marijuana convictions are state-level offenses.

[SheltieLover]

2. Red shithole TN, always a national disgrace

I wonder if it's possible to have Fed weed charges without state charges? Either way, it's a start.

I never understood wtf they think they are to outlaw something Mother Nature gifted to us.

All that said, I don't partake but feel this country is so fkd up with all the magat issues, I think it would be great if the Fed passed out shopping bags full of week on street corners. 😉

[Duppers]

5. 😅

Passed out shopping bags full of weed.

[SheltieLover]

7. Think of how mellow the aggressive rednecks would become

Likely why pukes are so dead set against legalizing weed.

And I mean large shopping bags
..

That would cut the legs out from under organized crime too.

[pwb]

3. Well it is Tennessee

One of our Neanderthal states and proud of it. They have those private prisons there?

[SheltieLover]

9. Likely so.

Lots of prison escapes.

Surreal.

[bluedigger]

10. Do they have private prisons in Tennessee?

It's where the private prisons are headquartered! 😂

[SheltieLover]

4. Fed law means nothing in this red hellhole

Constant violations. Daily.

[Duppers]

6. 👍 You know I agree.

[SheltieLover]

8. Yup

[twodogsbarking]

11. Tennessee is a wonderful place, except for the people.

[samnsara]

15. i agree..beautiful country and the best bar b q!

..but wouldnt wanna live there......

[Shermann]

18. This displeases Dolly Parton

[twodogsbarking]

19. I retreat and state "some people" in Tennessee.

Went to the World's Fair in 1982 in Knoxville. Great trip.
Gatlinburg was great in the 1970s. Small town feel.

[Docreed2003]

12. Interestingly

There's a new place called "Buds and Brews" that just opened in Nashville, I can only assume in anticipation of eventual legalization and I saw a billboard downtown Friday for THC edibles by mail. This state is currently the buckle of the Bible Belt but not all hope is lost. That being said, I'm not surprised by this asshole DA or in our asshole governor's responses to this issue

[MichMan]

13. They are abiding by Federal law

Federal law hasn't changed. Marijuana is still illegal.

[samnsara]

14. its tenneesee..hell when i visited there you couldnt even buy wine except in the..'package store'

..and never on Sunday. and that was just a few years ago. But ok with their population downing that high sugar diabetic coma inducing sweet tea by the gallons!

The horror of it all!!

[sl8]

17. In other words, Federal pardons don't apply to State convictions. nt

[Genki Hikari]

20. The federal pardon explicitly states that it does not and cannot

Apply to state drug offenses.

So, horrible as his take is, as long as Tennessee has its own laws against pot possession, then those tried under such laws are not eligible for the federal pardon.

That's how it's always worked.

[Duppers]

21. Indeed, excellent point.