“With President Biden’s term coming to a close, this administration has precious little time to fulfill its promise of justice reform.”
By Weldon Angelos and Edwin Rubis
President Joe Biden’s decision to grant clemency to his son, Hunter Biden, while failing to deliver on his promise to help those incarcerated for marijuana offenses, reveals a troubling double standard. As advocates for justice reform who have lived the devastating realities of the federal justice system, we find this decision not only disappointing but deeply hypocritical.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles included a gun-related offense, yet he now enjoys the freedom granted by his father’s power. Meanwhile, one of us—Edwin Rubis—remains behind bars for nonviolent marijuana offenses. It is unconscionable that a first-time offender would be given a 40-year sentence for a plant that is now legal in over 20 states. Where is the justice?
The other one of us, Weldon Angelos, served 13 years of a draconian 55-year sentence for marijuana offenses before being granted early release in 2016 and a full pardon by President Donald Trump in 2020—providing firsthand experience of what it means to receive a second chance.
Both of us have endured the pain of waiting, watching our children grow up from a distance, and wondering if freedom will ever come. The difference is that Edwin is still waiting, and with every passing day, time is running out.
This president campaigned on promises of criminal justice reform, including a commitment to grant clemency to those serving time for marijuana offenses. Yet, as his term nears its end, these individuals remain incarcerated. In October 2022, President Biden pardoned federal offenses for “simple possession” of marijuana—a symbolic gesture that offered no relief to those serving lengthy sentences for distribution. His announcement of this action suggested a step toward fulfilling his promises, but in reality, it left those incarcerated for marijuana out in the cold.
Let us be clear: Hunter Biden’s freedom is not the issue. What is at issue is the glaring inconsistency between the president’s treatment of his own son and his inaction toward those he vowed to help. Clemency is supposed to reflect mercy and justice. It should not be reserved for the privileged few with personal connections to power.
President Biden has an opportunity to cement his legacy as a leader who truly believes in equality and justice. His decision to pardon his son will undoubtedly draw criticism, but it could be a chance to highlight the broader issue of clemency reform. By extending the same mercy to nonviolent marijuana offenders, he could show the nation that his compassion extends beyond his immediate family.
The clock is ticking. With President Biden’s term coming to a close, this administration has precious little time to fulfill its promise of justice reform. Clemency should not be about politics; it should be about correcting injustices, reuniting families and healing communities devastated by decades of mass incarceration.
We urge President Biden to take bold action. He must issue clemency for individuals serving draconian sentences for a plant (like Edwin) that many Americans now profit from legally. If President Biden truly wants to make the “promise of equal justice a reality,” as he stated in 2022, he must go beyond symbolic gestures like his misdemeanor pardons and deliver real relief.
History will remember whether Joe Biden used his power to right these wrongs or left behind a legacy marred by broken promises. The choice is his to make, and the time to act is now.
Weldon Angelos is a formerly incarcerated music producer and clemency advocate. He co founded The Weldon Project and the Mission Green Initiative to advocate for criminal justice reform and clemency for those imprisoned for marijuana offenses.
Edwin Rubis is currently incarcerated at FCI Ashland, serving a 40-year sentence for nonviolent marijuana offenses. Despite his unjust circumstances, he is pursuing a PhD.
Photo courtesy of Flickr/Marc Nozell.