Trump Grants Clemency to NFL Veteran Nate Newton for 175-Pound Cannabis Conviction

President Donald Trump pardoned former NFL offensive lineman Nate Newton on Tuesday, wiping away a conviction for trafficking 175 pounds of marijuana that resulted in federal prison time two decades ago.

Newton, who helped anchor the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line during their dominant 1990s run that produced three Super Bowl championships, was among five former NFL players granted clemency in Trump's latest round of pardons. The move comes as thousands of Americans remain incarcerated on cannabis charges while federal marijuana rescheduling continues to languish in regulatory review.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection faced two separate drug trafficking arrests in 2001. Louisiana state troopers first discovered 213 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Just months later, while out on bail, Newton was arrested again—this time with 175 pounds of cannabis. He ultimately served 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in 2002.

The Clemency Announcement

The White House included Newton alongside former NFL players Jamal Lewis, Will Allen, Arthur Marshall, and Derrick Deese in the pardon announcement. The clemency grants don't erase the convictions from their records but restore civil rights like voting and gun ownership that are typically lost after felony convictions.

Trump's pardon decisions have increasingly focused on high-profile figures, including celebrities and athletes. The numbers tell the story: Trump granted 237 pardons and commutations during his first term, according to Department of Justice data. His second term has already seen multiple clemency announcements, though the pace remains slower than some advocacy groups hoped.

The Rescheduling Disconnect

Newton's pardon highlights the stark contrast between individual clemency actions and broader federal cannabis reform. The Drug Enforcement Administration's proposed rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III has been stuck in regulatory review since May 2024, with no clear timeline for final action.

Market watchers note the irony: while Newton receives clemency for a 175-pound trafficking conviction, legal cannabis companies moved $33.6 billion worth of product in 2024 alone. Yet federal prohibition continues to create criminal records for possession amounts measured in grams.

"The selective nature of these pardons raises questions about equity in cannabis justice reform," said one industry analyst who requested anonymity. "Newton deserves clemency, absolutely. But what about the thousands of non-famous Americans serving time for similar or lesser amounts?"

What's Next

Cannabis advocacy organizations have repeatedly called on Trump to grant mass clemency for federal marijuana prisoners. The Last Prisoner Project estimates that approximately 2,800 people remain incarcerated in federal prison on cannabis-related charges, with thousands more under federal supervision.

The administration has not indicated whether broader cannabis clemency actions are under consideration. Trump's Justice Department has remained largely silent on marijuana policy priorities, even as state-level legalization continues to expand—Missouri and Ohio both launched adult-use sales in 2024, bringing the total number of legal states to 24.

Newton, now 63, has spoken publicly about his prison experience and subsequent rehabilitation. After his release, he worked in radio and appeared in sports media, occasionally discussing his legal troubles as cautionary tales.

The timing of the pardon comes as Congress faces renewed pressure to pass cannabis banking reform and address the industry's 280E tax burden. The SAFER Banking Act remains stalled in committee despite bipartisan support in previous sessions.

This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.