The governor of Maryland has pardoned more than 175,000 convictions for low-level marijuana and paraphernalia offenses\u2014a sweeping clemency action that is being granted about a year after the state implemented cannabis legalization.<\/p>\n
Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced the mass pardon on Monday, describing it as \u201cthe largest such action in our nation\u2019s history\u201d and noting that legalization alone \u201cdoes not turn back the clock on decades of harm that was caused by this war on drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot celebrate the benefits of legalization if we do not address the consequences of criminalization,\u201d he said at a press conference.<\/p>\n
While the state\u2019s legalization law created \u201cone of the best and most equitable legal markets in the country,\u201d Moore said \u201cthat rollout must go hand in hand with pardoning past conduct, and Maryland is going to lead by example.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pardons cover about 100,000 misdemeanor marijuana convictions and 75,000 paraphernalia cases. The clemency is also being offered posthumously in certain instances.<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) called the pardon action \u201clong overdue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a nation, we\u2019ve taken far too long to correct the injustices of a system that is supposed to be just for all,\u201d he said. \u201cYet within an unprecedented time frame, governor, you took bold and courageous action.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour action today is about equity. It\u2019s about racial justice,\u201d Brown told the governor. \u201cWhile the order applies to all who meet its criteria, the impact is a triumphant victory for African Americans and other Marylanders of color who were disproportionately arrested, convicted and sentenced for actions yesterday that are lawful today. Today is momentous day for Maryland.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThis Administration has stood up what many believe is one of the most equitable and efficient adult-market cannabis rollouts of any state in history.<\/p>\n
And yet, we know that legalization doesn\u2019t turn back the clock on decades of harm caused by the War on Drugs.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) June 17, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Sarah Gersten, executive director of Last Prisoner Project (LPP) said<\/a> in a press release on Monday that \u201cit has been nearly a year since Maryland passed full cannabis legalization, and at the same time that some are poised to profit off of this burgeoning industry, millions more remain burdened by the collateral consequences of a cannabis conviction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLPP is proud to be part of today\u2019s historic announcement which is a crucial step in beginning to right the wrongs of our failed approach to cannabis policy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
One of the only comparable examples of such state-level clemency happened in Massachusetts in April, when officials unanimously approved the governor\u2019s proposal to pardon thousands of people with misdemeanor marijuana convictions of their records.<\/p>\n
The Maryland governor\u2019s pardons are unique in part because they include paraphernalia convictions, whereas other states have largely focused on cannabis possession cases.<\/p>\n
Supporters also noted that this clemency is being granted in the background of President Joe Biden\u2019s mass pardons for people who\u2019ve committed federal marijuana possession offenses.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in April, Maryland officials also announced the winners of a first-of-its-kind marijuana licensing lottery for social equity applicants<\/a> across all license categories, approving 174 growers, processors and dispensaries.<\/p>\n
\nMassachusetts Senate Approves Bill To Study Psychedelics Therapy For Military Veterans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis \/\/ Side Pocket Images.<\/em><\/p>\n
The post Maryland Governor Pardons More Than 175,000 Marijuana And Paraphernalia Convictions<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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