TALLAHASSEE — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Monday urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to pardon simple marijuana possession convictions in Florida.

It’s a request that comes days after President Joe Biden vowed to do the same at the federal level, marking one of the most significant federal actions on marijuana in recent decades. 

Fried described the move as long-needed and overdue in a letter sent Monday to DeSantis. Low-income Floridians and minorities, she said, would benefit most by the move.

“What we are seeing at the federal level is extraordinary — an extraordinary step forward in the name of justice for the victims of unjust sentencing whose lives have been upended and even destroyed,” Fried said Monday at a press conference inside the Capitol. “It is imperative that we do the same thing here at the state level.”

Biden is asking governors nationwide to consider the pardons, arguing that those with convictions would enjoy improved employment and educational prospects. 

He is also calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to review the scheduling of marijuana, which is currently slated as a Schedule One substance. 

Such a placement ranks marijuana in the same category as heroin and ecstasy. It also means the substance, under the definition of a Schedule One drug, poses a high risk for abuse and is without medical purpose.

Biden is battling with critics of the plan, who describe the plan as dangerous and contend marijuana is a gateway to broader drug use. He maintains other restrictions and guidelines on marijuana use will remain in place after the review. 

“Evan as federal and local regulations of marijuana change, important limitations on trafficking, marketing and underage sales should stay in place,” Biden said in the announcement. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

Roughly 20 states and D.C. have legalized non-medical use marijuana. Recreational marijuana, meanwhile, is a long shot in Florida’s GOP controlled Legislature. 

Spectrum News reached out to several GOP lawmakers without avail. Hillsborough State Attorney Susan Lopez provided Spectrum News a statement, noting the needs and conditions of her district. 

“Our community still needs tougher laws on drug trafficking and penalties for those who target drug sales towards children,” Lopez said.  “While President Biden’s announcement falls within his broad pardon powers, we will continue to work with the Florida Legislature and the Governor, so that together we can address the unquestioned connection between crime and illegal drugs.”

A proposed ballot amendment in 2024 may pave the way for recreational marijuana in Florida. It would allow residents purchase, possess and use marijuana products and accessories.

Ballot amendments in Florida require 60% voter approval.