In a letter to President Biden and the White House, legendary boxer and cannabis entrepreneur Mike Tyson has called for clemency to be granted to all individuals still incarcerated in federal prisons on marijuana-related charges. The former heavyweight champion cited Biden’s campaign promise to release such offenders and argued that the “war on marijuana is over” as public opinion and state legalization efforts have shifted dramatically in recent years.
“I write in support of granting clemency to marijuana offenders still incarcerated in federal prison and restoring civil rights to those haunted by a federal marijuana conviction,” Tyson’s letter begins. “In September 2021, you received a letter from the Weldon Project — signed by dozens of artists, athletes, lawmakers, law enforcement officials, academics, business leaders, policy experts, reform advocates, and other professionals — asking you to issue a general pardon for federal marijuana offenders. Today, I join the Weldon Project, Drake, Killer Mike, T.I., Deion Sanders, Bella Thorne, Jim Brown, and many others in calling upon you to end the madness of federal marijuana prohibition.”
Since taking office in January 2021, President Biden has taken some steps toward decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. In October 2022, he issued a proclamation pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana. Then in December 2023, he expanded that pardon to also cover attempted possession offenses and violations of certain federal regulations involving simple possession and use.
However, an estimated 3,000 individuals remain incarcerated in federal prisons on marijuana charges beyond just simple possession. Advocacy groups argue Biden’s actions so far have not gone far enough.
In his letter, Tyson references a September 2021 letter to Biden signed by dozens of public figures, including celebrities, activists, and policy experts, calling for a general pardon of all federal marijuana offenders. He emphasizes the heavy toll America’s “war on drugs” has taken, particularly on minority communities.
“The September letter emphasized that the federal ‘war on drugs’ has crushed many souls and countless futures, while spreading intolerable levels of mistrust and dysfunction between minority communities and those sworn to protect them,” Tyson writes. “I grew up in tough neighborhoods where people lived in fear of drug warriors, and I’ve seen the heavy cost paid by the poor and people of color.”
The former boxer has been a long-time advocate for cannabis legalization and its potential medical benefits. In recent years, he launched his own cannabis brand Tyson 2.0, and credits marijuana for “saving [his] life” after years of substance abuse issues.
“The war on marijuana is over, Mr. President, as seen in legalization efforts across the nation and in polls showing that most Americans oppose marijuana prohibition,” Tyson’s letter concludes. “Through a categorical clemency grant, you can declare an end to federal warfare on our own people and mark the beginning of a new era of peace and prosperity.”
Tyson’s plea comes as the legal status of marijuana in the United States remains a patchwork of contradictory policies. At the federal level, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, considered as dangerous as heroin. However, 24 states and Washington D.C. have now fully legalized marijuana for recreational adult use, while an additional 19 states allow medical marijuana.
Only four states – Idaho, Wyoming, Kansas, and South Carolina – still maintain a full prohibition on all uses of cannabis. Public opinion polling consistently shows majority support for marijuana legalization, with a Pew Research poll last year finding 62% of Americans now say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use.
The rapidly-evolving cannabis industry has become a booming business, projected to grow from $43.72 billion in market value in 2022 to an astounding $444.34 billion by 2030 according to analysts.
Tyson, known as “Iron Mike” during his iconic boxing career, says the positive impact the cannabis industry has had on people’s lives drives his advocacy efforts.
“I had thousands of people text me, FaceTime me, or Instagram [message] me where they’re appreciative that I opened up this business,” Tyson told Fox News Digital following a meet-and-greet at a cannabis convention last year. “They’re on the verge of suicide — all the horrific things that happen to people on habitual stuff like that. Cocaine or one of those ego-inflaming drugs. It humbles me. It makes me very grateful I’m participating in the cannabis business.”
Biden’s lead domestic policy advisor, Susan Rice, has indicated the administration sees marijuana reform as a priority area. However, specifics on potential further pardons or decriminalization pushes remain unclear.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Tyson’s letter and calls for broader clemency for marijuana offenders.
The debate is likely to remain a contentious issue as America continues to grapple with the legacy and ramifications of the “war on drugs” and its disproportionate impact on communities of color. Prominent figures like Tyson are attempting to pressure Biden to follow through on campaign promises and potentially pave the way for new national drug policies that treat addiction more as a health issue than a criminal one.
