Maryland governor pardons more than 175,000 marijuana convictions, the largest in US history, to give criminals ‘a fresh start’

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has pardoned more than 175,000 marijuana convictions – the most in the United States – in an effort to give convicts a “fresh start.”

The Democrat called the move the “most sweeping state-level pardon in any state” and said it will help undo the damage caused by the War on Drugs as he signed the order Monday.

It includes more than 150,000 simple possession convictions and more than 18,000 felony convictions for use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, the governor’s office says.

For some individuals, more than one conviction may even be pardoned under the order.

“We are taking deliberate, sweeping and unapologetic actions, and this is the largest action in the history of our country,” Moore said at a news conference.

Advocates applauded the move as a way to remove barriers to employment, housing or educational opportunities based on behavior that is no longer illegal.

Recreational marijuana was legalized in Maryland in 2023 after voters approved a constitutional amendment.

“This is about changing the way both government and society view those who are deprived of opportunity because of broken and unequal policies,” Moore said.

He added that the “legalization does not turn back the clock on the decades of damage caused by this war on drugs.

“Nevertheless, before legalization, black Marylanders were three times as likely to be arrested for cannabis than white Marylanders. “It doesn’t change the fact that having a conviction on your record means a more difficult time with everything from housing to employment and education.”

Advocates applauded the move as a way to remove barriers to employment, housing or educational opportunities based on behavior that is no longer illegal

Shiloh Jordan, who once lost a job on his second day after his background check turned up a minor cannabis conviction, was present at the signing

Shiloh Jordan, who once lost a job on his second day after his background check turned up a minor cannabis conviction, praised the move.

“It means a lot because I know a lot of people who have been convicted of minor cannabis charges, and it has really affected their whole way of life and their whole way of thinking.”

State Attorney General Anthony Brown also said it was “long overdue.”

“As a nation, we have taken far too long to correct the injustices of a system that should be fair to all,” he said.

“It’s about racial justice,” Brown continued. “While this order applies to anyone who meets the criteria, its impact is a triumphant victory for African Americans and other Marylanders of color who were disproportionately arrested, convicted and sentenced yesterday for actions that are lawful today.”

Moore called this move the “most sweeping state-level pardon in any state.”

He then described the cannabis convictions as “scarlet letters” and “modern shackles.”

“I can almost hear the cling of those cuffs hitting the ground this morning, excuse me, Governor,” Brown said.

The state’s judiciary will now ensure that each individual electronic file is updated with an entry indicating that the conviction has been pardoned by the governor — a process that the governor’s office said would take about two weeks.

The Department of Corrections will also work to develop a process that will mark a pardon on each individual’s criminal record, which could take 10 months.

With the order, Maryland joins nine other states that have granted pardons for marijuana convictions

Those with a marijuana conviction can also petition a state court to expunge their records, but these cases are decided on an individual basis.

And people with convictions older than electronic records can also receive pardons, but they must apply individually. according to the New York Times.

With the order, Maryland joins nine other states that have pardoned hundreds of thousands of marijuana convictions as legalization spreads.

In December, Biden also pardoned thousands of people convicted of marijuana use and possession on federal lands and in DC.