Facebook Twitter Tumblr Close Skip to main content
A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

What Biden’s Marijuana Pardon Proclamation Does — and Does Not Do

What Biden’s Marijuana Pardon Proclamation Does — and Does Not Do

In early October, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation pardoning certain individuals previously charged with or convicted of simple marijuana possession offenses under federal and Washington, D.C., law. But Biden exaggerated the scope when he claimed he was keeping a promise not to incarcerate those convicted of simple possession charges.

Viral Claim Blurs Marijuana, Gun Policies

Viral Claim Blurs Marijuana, Gun Policies

Social posts wrongly claim that states legalizing marijuana also have “legislated” that those who use the drug cannot have guns. Actually, a long-standing federal law prohibits marijuana users from possessing or purchasing firearms, regardless of state policies.

Philip Morris Not Selling Marijuana Cigarettes

Philip Morris Not Selling Marijuana Cigarettes

Q: Are Philip Morris “Marlboro M” brand marijuana cigarettes now for sale in four U.S. states?

A: No. That claim comes from a 2014 satirical story. It has recently resurfaced without the satire label.

Invented Malia Obama Stories

Invented Malia Obama Stories

Q: Was Malia Obama fired from an internship for smoking marijuana? Was she arrested for buying marijuana in Chicago?

A: No. Those spoof stories were made up to troll conservative readers.

Indiana Didn’t Legalize Marijuana

Indiana Didn’t Legalize Marijuana

Q: Did Indiana legalize marijuana?

A: No. That fake story comes from a website that invites visitors to “Create A Prank And Trick All Your Friends!”

FactChecking Sessions on Drugs

FactChecking Sessions on Drugs

On NBC10 in Philadelphia, SciCheck reporter Vanessa Schipani discusses two questionable claims that Attorney General Jeff Sessions made about marijuana and opioids.

Sessions’ Dubious Drug Claims

Sessions’ Dubious Drug Claims

In an address to law enforcement, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions made two questionable claims about marijuana and opioids.

FactChecking Science in 2016

FactChecking Science in 2016

We look back at some of the more questionable science-related claims from 2016 on topics such as climate change, Zika, GMOs, marijuana and the human mind.

Unpacking Pot’s Impact in Colorado

Unpacking Pot’s Impact in Colorado

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson said “marijuana-related” traffic deaths, hospital visits and school suspensions in Colorado have “not significantly” increased since the state legalized the drug. That’s inaccurate.

Clinton’s Greatest Hits

Clinton’s Greatest Hits

A compendium of the top false and misleading claims by the Democratic presidential candidate.