Chuck Fenda is adding his voice of approval to US President Joe Biden’s decision recently to pardon Americans convicted for simple possession of marijuana under federal law.

“It’s a step in the right direction, dem finally do back something for weed. Over the years, black people have found out that a simple conviction for a spliff could cause nuff future problems for them, artistes lose visa because him have a spliff tail in his jeans, we go through a lot of punishment towards a natural plant from the earth, and this was the case for people of colour, once you black, you face it in the US. The weed shoulda free up long time,” said Chuck Fenda, whose real name is Leshorn Whitehead.

For decades in the United States, charging practices have disproportionately impacted people of colour. Marijuana possession was once the country’s most common drug charge. Arrests peaked at more than 800,000 in 2008. President Joe Biden’s pardon, recently, affected low-level marijuana offenders and benefits the roughly 6,500 Americans who have previously been convicted of federal possession. These offenders have often found themselves discriminated against as they could not access certain forms of employment, housing, student loans, and other opportunities.

“We’ve come a far way, but we have a long way to go, a lot more people who have been incarcerated because of marijuana need to have their sentences reduced. The weed must be free,” Chuck Fenda said.

Chuck Fenda is promoting his latest single, One Burner, which is produced by ZJ Dymond, and which was released three weeks ago on the Fresh Island rhythm project.

“The feedback to One Burner has been great on social media with a lot of positive buzz. The song has a positive message of a man rejecting an ole gallis lifestyle and choosing to be with one woman, embracing monogamy, a one family unit,” he said.

The single will be one of 15 tracks on his Eternal Fire album which will be released on December 31 this year on the Living Fire and Echo One Productions imprint. Other singles on the album include Walk by Faith, Gun Johncrow, Eternal Fire, and So Real.

Chuck Fenda recorded his first song, Jah It’s All About You, for King Jammy’s label in 1999. His hit songs include All About the Weed, Gwaan Plant, I Swear, Gash Dem And Light Dem, and Coming Over Tonight featuring Cherine Anderson.