The president is also asking the Health and Human Services secretary to review how marijuana is classified under federal law.Senior administration officials told reporters Thursday that more than 6,000 people with prior federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana — and thousands of others convicted under Washington, D.C., law — could benefit.The announcement, which falls short of legalization, comes barely a month out from competitive midterm elections that will determine control of the House and Senate.The president said he's directed Attorney General Merrick Garland to develop a process to issue certificates of pardon to eligible Americans, a move to help relieve the consequences for those who could be denied housing or employment."Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit."