MD Governor Pardons Over 175K Marijuana Convictions

MARYLAND ? Over 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions were pardoned Monday by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D). The news comes nearly one year after recreational marijuana was legalized in Maryland.

"Yet, we know that legalization doesn't turn back the clock on decades of harm caused by the War on Drugs," Moore said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We cannot celebrate the benefits of legalization while forgetting the consequences of criminalization."

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) said the pardons are welcome news for people of color, whom he said are disproportionately affected by drug convictions.

"I'm proud of our governor, his values, his beliefs," Brown said in a video posted on X. "This is long overdue, and it's just the beginning of the work."

Brown told The Washington Post the pardons are "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 in an interview. "We are arrested and convicted at higher rates for possession and use of marijuana when the rate at which we used it was no different than any other category of people."

The Associated Press reported the pardon will forgive offenses of possessing cannabis or drug paraphernalia.

The pardons affect more than 150,000 misdemeanor convictions for simple possession of cannabis and over 18,000 misdemeanor convictions for use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, the AP said.

About 100,000 people will have their convictions forgiven, The Post reported. Some people were pardoned of multiple convictions.

About a quarter of pardons are from convictions in Baltimore City, The Post said.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) called the pardons "life changing."

"The legacy that the war on drugs has had on our city of Baltimore ? and many places around the country like it ? is still visceral and tangible. We still see and feel the wounds every day in the lives, families, and communities that were disrupted and destroyed," Scott said in a press release. "I want to thank and commend Governor Moore for his commitment, compassion, and love for the people who have been so impacted by this history. This action, and our work together to overcome the dark legacy of our predecessors, will lay the foundation for a better, safer future for all of our residents."

The Post said the pardons "won't result in the release of people from incarceration."

"Today, we take a big step toward enacting the kinds of policies that can reverse the harm of the past and help us build a brighter future," Moore said. "We couldn't have gotten here without the extraordinary partnership of our incredible lawmakers, leaders, and advocates."

A 2022 referendum cleared the way for adult use of cannabis in Maryland. The AP said 67 percent of voters supported the constitutional amendment.

Maryland then legalized recreational marijuana for residents 21 and up under state law on July 1, 2023. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, however. Medical use is also legal under Maryland law.

"When it comes to cannabis, rolling out one of the best and most equitable legal markets in the country is important, but that rollout must go hand-in-hand with pardoning past conduct," Moore said. "And Maryland is going to lead by example."

The Post said electronic court records will reflect the pardons within two weeks, and criminal background check databases will be updated within 10 months. Public court records will still show the convictions, but they'll say they were pardoned, unless the person files for an expungement. Anyone who thinks they qualify for a pardon but didn't receive one can apply for a pardon here.