Axios

President Joe Biden announced Thursday he will pardon everyone convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law — and he’s urging governors to do the same. More than 6,500 people were convicted of simple possession between 1992 and 2021 under federal law, and thousands more under District of Columbia code. It’s a big move by Biden a month ahead of the midterms — what does it mean for messaging for Democrats and Republicans?

• Plus, a devastating attack rocks Thailand.
• And, the U.S. imposes more sanctions on Iran as protests continue.

Guests: Axios’ Josh Kraushaar and Mike Allen.

Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at [email protected]. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Go Deeper:

• Biden to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession
• U.S. issues more sanctions against officials in Iran as government crackdown persists
• At least 37 killed in mass shooting at Thailand child care center

ERICA PANDEY: Welcome back to "How It Happened." I'm your host for this season, Erica Pandey. By now, you know Elon Musk makes big moves that often catch the world by surprise.

That happened again this week when Musk sent a letter to Twitter declaring that he would proceed with his offer to purchase the platform after all.

To catch you up quick: In April, Musk made an offer to buy Twitter. Shortly after, he tried to reverse course. Twitter sued him to go through with the deal, and the trial was scheduled for mid-October in Delaware Chancery Court.

But just days before the trial start date, Musk decided to proceed with the sale. Off this news, we wanted to bring you a conversation between two of our top reporters who've covered every twist and turn in this saga, media reporter Sara Fischer and business editor Dan Primack. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

In the fifth season of How it Happened Elon Musk vs. Twitter hosted by Axios business reporter Erica Pandey, our reporters cover the collision between Elon Musk and Twitter through conversations with Twitter insiders and members of Musk’s inner circle.

Why it matters: Twitter and Musk are two powerful forces that rose to prominence and reshaped our world. Now the world’s richest man could own the global public square and reshape social media or something like that.

Listen and subscribe to Axios' How It Happened podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast.

OPEC+ , the coalition of oil-producing nations led by Russia and Saudi Arabia, announced yesterday its planning to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day, starting in November. This has the potential to push up gas prices in the US and around the world.

• Plus, American drivers are getting more loyal to electric vehicles.
• And, long COVID affects the daily lives of almost 20 million U.S. adults.

Guests: Axios' Ben Geman, Joann Muller and Sabrina Moreno.

Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at [email protected]. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Go Deeper:

• What OPEC's 2 million-barrel cut could mean for U.S. gas prices
• Most electric car buyers don't switch back to gas
• Long COVID is still disabling millions of Americans