ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is scheduled to sign an executive order to issue 175,000 pardons for marijuana convictions Monday, according to a news report.
The pardons will forgive low-level marijuana possession charges for an estimated 100,000 people. Moore, a Democrat, told The Washington Post Sunday night that criminal records have been used to deny housing, employment and education.
“I’m ecstatic that we have a real opportunity with what I’m signing to right a lot of historical wrongs,” Moore said. “If you want to be able to create inclusive economic growth, it means you have to start removing these barriers that continue to disproportionately sit on communities of color.”
Recreational cannabis was legalized in Maryland in 2023 after voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2022. Now, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis.
Moore plans to sign the executive order Monday morning in the state Capitol in Annapolis with Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown in attendance.
Brown, a Democrat, described the pardons as “certainly long overdue as a nation” and “a racial equity issue.”
“While the pardons will extend to anyone and everyone with a misdemeanor conviction for the possession of marijuana or paraphernalia, this unequivocally, without any doubt or reservation, disproportionately impacts — in a good way — Black and Brown Marylanders,” Brown told the Post.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced plans to grant 175,000 pardons for individuals convicted of marijuana-related offenses in the state. This move comes as part of a broader effort to address the racial disparities in the criminal justice system and provide relief to those who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.
The pardons will apply to individuals who have been convicted of possession of marijuana in amounts that are now legal under Maryland’s current laws. This means that individuals who were previously convicted for possessing small amounts of marijuana will have their records expunged and their convictions pardoned.
Governor Moore’s decision to grant these pardons is a significant step towards addressing the injustices of the past and providing a second chance to those who have been burdened by the stigma of a criminal record. By pardoning these individuals, the governor is not only righting the wrongs of the past but also helping to remove barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities that can arise from having a criminal record.
In addition to granting pardons, Governor Moore has also announced plans to invest in programs that support reentry and rehabilitation for individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. These programs will provide resources and support to help individuals successfully reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives after serving time for marijuana-related offenses.
This decision by Governor Moore is a positive step towards reforming the criminal justice system and addressing the harms caused by the war on drugs. By granting these pardons, he is sending a clear message that Maryland is committed to justice and equity for all its residents, regardless of their past mistakes.
Overall, Governor Moore’s decision to grant 175,000 pardons for marijuana convictions is a significant and commendable move towards addressing the injustices of the past and providing a pathway to redemption for those who have been unfairly targeted by outdated drug laws. It is a step in the right direction towards creating a more fair and just society for all Maryland residents.
