Legal Aid DC hosted a legal clinic to help people with low-level marijuana offenses on their record receive a presidential pardon.  

In October 2022, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation that pardoned federal and DC simple marijuana possession offenses. In December 2023, he expanded the pardon to include offenses of attempted simple possession and use of marijuana, benefiting thousands of people across the country. But to fully benefit from the pardon, those eligible must apply for an official certificate.

In response to a call to action from the White House Counsel’s Office, Legal Aid organized a clinic to help people apply for the pardon in partnership with pro bono counsel from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. 

“This clinic is helping individuals who have been living under the cloud of their prior convictions access this pardon, but more importantly, what the pardon opens up to them: access to opportunities for housing, for employment, and for education,” White House Counsel Ed Siskel said at Legal Aid shortly before the clinic opened.

At the clinic on Monday, Simpson Thacher attorneys worked with more than a dozen clients to complete and submit their application and supporting documents.  

"We’re grateful to our partners at Simpson Thacher for jumping into this and making the clinic possible,” said Sylvia Soltis, Director of Legal Aid DC’s Pro Bono Program. “This pardon is one more tool that we have to help clients get relief, and the straightforward process allows us to have an impact much more quickly than criminal record sealing in the District.”

With support from pro bono attorneys, Legal Aid has continued to help more clients with the record sealing process in DC, and many of the clinic attendees will likely also be eligible for record sealing, adding another layer of relief.