Wes Moore pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions in Maryland

Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) will pardon more than 175,000 marijuana convictions in Maryland on Monday, less than two years after voters chose to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.

Moore’s actions on Monday will pardon more than 150,000 people simply convicted of cannabis possession, with the aim of helping those convicted of low-level crimes related to the drug.

“The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to advancing social equity and ensuring the fair and equitable administration of justice,” the governor’s office said. “Because the use and possession of cannabis is no longer illegal in the state, Marylanders should no longer face barriers to housing, employment or education based on convictions for conduct that is no longer illegal.”

The governor’s office says roughly 25% of the pardons will come from Baltimore and that none of Monday’s actions will result in anyone being released from prison.

The state record for those who receive pardons will be updated within two weeks of Moore’s action. Moore told the WashingtonPost that his action Monday will be part of his efforts to remove barriers for Black and brown people.

“I’m ecstatic that with what I’m signing we have a real opportunity to right a lot of historical wrongs,” Moore told the newspaper. “If you want to be able to create inclusive economic growth, that means you have to start removing the barriers that continue to disproportionately impact communities of color.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINATOR

Maryland voters overwhelmingly chose to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022, while simultaneously electing Moore as governor, making the drug legal as of July 1, 2023.

President Joe Biden moved to pardon anyone arrested, prosecuted or convicted on federal marijuana use charges late last year, and encouraged governors to do the same.