WASHINGTON – American President Joe Biden on Thursday announced overhauling the US policy on marijuana by pardoning thousands of people with federal offenses for simple marijuana possession.
Officials estimate about 6,500 people with federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana will benefit.
No-one is currently in federal prison solely for possession of marijuana. Most convictions occur at state level.
Biden said thousands of people with prior federal convictions could be denied employment, housing or educational opportunities and his executive action would relieve such "collateral" consequences.
As a presidential candidate, Biden promised to decriminalise cannabis use, as well as expunging convictions.
He added that non-white people were statistically far more likely to be jailed for cannabis.
As a White House candidate, Biden was criticised for writing a 1994 crime bill that stiffened penalties for drug crimes and led to more incarceration of minorities.
The Democratic president said he would call upon all state governors to issue their own marijuana pardons.
He is also directing the Department of Justice and the Department of Health to review how cannabis is classified under federal law.
"Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It's time that we right these wrongs," Biden said.
He urged state governors to follow suit. Recreational marijuana is already legal in 19 states and Washington DC. Medical use is legal in 37 states and three US territories.
However, the drug remains illegal at the federal level, even in states where it can be legally bought and used, meaning people there could still be convicted for possession in certain circumstances.
The pardons come a month before November’s congressional mid-term elections, which will determine the power balance in Washington for the last two years of Mr Biden’s term.
Daily Pakistan Global Web Desk
KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on March 21, 2023 (Tuesday).
Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 283.15 | 286.15 |
Euro | EUR | 298.5 | 301.5 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 340.5 | 344 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 77.25 | 78 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 75.2 | 76 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 187 | 189.4 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 749.54 | 757.54 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 207.5 | 209.5 |
China Yuan | CNY | 40.91 | 41.31 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 40.38 | 40.78 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 35.9 | 36.25 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.41 | 3.52 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 2.06 | 2.11 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 916.88 | 925.88 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 62.85 | 63.45 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 176.66 | 178.6 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.33 | 26.63 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 732.14 | 740.14 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 77.42 | 78.12 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 207.5 | 209.5 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 26.5 | 26.8 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 305.25 | 307.78 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.26 | 8.41 |
KARACHI - The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 204,700 on Tuesday.The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs175,500.
Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs163,624 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs 190,849.
Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Karachi | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Islamabad | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Peshawar | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Quetta | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Sialkot | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Attock | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Gujranwala | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Jehlum | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Multan | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Gujrat | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Nawabshah | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Chakwal | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Hyderabad | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Nowshehra | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Sargodha | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Faisalabad | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
Mirpur | PKR 204,700 | PKR 2,390 |
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