Many representatives and lawmakers are urging President Biden to stop firing White House staff due to past cannabis use.
White House officials asked several White House staffers to resign. Consequently, others were also suspended, or are working remotely after being honest during their background checks.
The White House let five people go and are no longer employed. To clarify additional staffers are working remotely. An official said that in cases involving staffers no longer employed, additional security factors were in play. Read the full article from CNN.
Rep. Don Beyer along with other lawmakers sent President Joe Biden a letter. The letter is urging him to stop firing White House Staff over past cannabis use. Read the full letter here.
Letter to President Biden
In the letter, Biden is asked that he clarify employment suitability policies. In addition, remove past cannabis use as a potential disqualifier, and apply these policies with consistency and fairness.
The authors of the letter make a solid point that cannabis is legal for either medical or adult-use in 36 states. Over 50% of the American population have used cannabis in their lifetime. As more states approve the legalization of cannabis for adults this number will only increase.
Last year cannabis legalization occurred in an additional five states. Currently, there are many more states working on legislation to legalize cannabis.
In the letter, they explain that the Acting Director of OPM issued a memorandum. The title, “Assessing the Suitability/Fitness of Applicants or Appointees on the Basis of Marijuana Use; Maintaining a Drug-Free Workplace”. As a result, this memorandum instructed federal agencies to evaluate past cannabis use disclosed by applicants on a case-by-case basis.
They also talk about how the existing policies have been applied in inconsistent and unfair ways. Past presidents have admitted to illegal cannabis use. According to ABC news, Vice President Harris has admitted to past cannabis use. Also according to the letter, “Those in the upper ranks of your administration won’t face consequences for their cannabis use, and nor should they, but the same standard should be applied across the administration.”
Consequences for cannabis use have always been unequal and those with power always face fewer consequences. The letter asks Biden to not allow that pattern to continue within his administration.
Finally, the letter is asking that President Biden acts within his power to stop legitimizing unfair cannabis laws. They ask for his help “to end our failed punitive policy of cannabis prohibition.”
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