Biden acts on marijuana. The Biden administration announced pardons for anyone convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law. While no one is currently in federal jail for a simple marijuana conviction, the pardon will expunge the records of those with a marijuna possession charge. This will make it easier for the 6500 people with a conviction on their record to access housing, jobs, and more. Biden also called on governors to do the same, as state convictions vastly outweigh federal convictions. Further, the administration will be reviewing mairjuana’s current classification as a Schedule 1 substance, which currently categorizes it with heroin. This is a step in the right direction, but not nearly enough. Biden and Congress need to take necessary steps to pass marijuana decriminalization legislation and expunge the records of thousands of people across the country.

Mark Finchem votes by mail. Yep, the lawmaker who has fought extentensively to end vote by mail in Arizona, has voted by mail almost exclusively for nearly two decades. Finchem, who has voted early by mail in 28 out of 30 elections going back to 2004, lied about this at the recent Arizona Secretary of State debate, where he claimed to always vote at the polls. Voting by mail is highly popular in Arizona, and used by over 80% of Arizonans. Finchem’s attempt to eliminate it is another example of his attempt to take over our elections systems so he can pick our next president, despite what voters want.

ICYMI: “the best Republican to come out of Arizona.” Friday, a judge granted a temporary stay on the pre-statehood ban on nearly all abortions as court battles continue, but no thanks to Kyrsten Sinema. After the near-total abortion ban went into effect in Arizona, Sinema cozied up to McConnell, the man responsible for helping confirm several of the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. The two praised each other at a joint appearance, with McConnell calling her the “most-effective first term Senator.” Sinema was instrumental in helping to kill federal abortion legislation, because she refused to end the filibuster. Her record of blocking popular legislation over the last couple of years has definitely impacted her popularity with voters – many Arizonans are “looking for another option” come 2024.