Maryland Governor Pardons Low-Level Marijuana Convictions
TL/DR –
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced a mass pardon of more than 175,000 marijuana convictions, which he has described as one of the nation’s most significant clemency actions concerning a drug now widely used for recreation. The pardons will cover low-level marijuana possession charges and are expected to impact up to 100,000 people. The governor has highlighted this as a step towards healing decades of social and economic injustice that has disproportionately affected Black and Brown communities.
Maryland Governor Issues Mass Pardon of Marijuana Convictions
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will issue a mass pardon of over 175,000 marijuana convictions, making it one of the country’s most comprehensive acts of clemency for a drug now widely used recreationally. These pardons will forgive low-level marijuana possession charges for an estimated 100,000 individuals. This significant step by the Democratic governor is intended to mend decades of social and economic injustice that disproportionately affected Black and Brown communities.
Addressing Historical Wrongs
This act aims to rectify historical wrongs and remove barriers affecting communities of color. “If we want to foster inclusive economic growth, we must begin removing these barriers that disproportionately impact communities of color,” Moore stated. Moore’s pardons are considered the most ambitious and far-reaching among officials nationwide who are trying to redress criminal justice inequities in light of increasing marijuana legalization.
Pardons in Other States
Other states and cities have pardoned hundreds of thousands of old marijuana convictions in recent years, as stated by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Legalized marijuana markets generate billions in revenue for state governments annually, and public sentiment towards the drug has shifted, with increasing acceptance of cannabis use and growing opposition to racial disparities exacerbated by the War on Drugs.
Impact on Communities of Color
Moore’s pardons stand out for their impact on communities of color in Maryland, a state known for having one of the worst records for disproportionately incarcerating Black individuals for any crime. Over 70 percent of the state’s male incarcerated population is Black, according to state data, more than double their proportion in the general population.
Federal Marijuana Convictions Pardons
Nationwide, Black people were more than three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than White people, according to the ACLU. In 2022, President Biden issued a mass pardon of federal marijuana convictions, benefiting roughly 6,500 people, and encouraged governors to do the same in their states, where the majority of marijuana prosecutions occur.
Future Impact of Pardons
The pardoned individuals will see the charges marked in state court records within the next two weeks, and they will be removed from criminal background check databases within 10 months. The convictions will still appear in public court records unless the person applies for an expungement.
Reclassification of Cannabis
The Biden administration began working on the issue in 2022, instructing health officials to review whether existing science supported reclassifying cannabis so that it would no longer be classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, which carries the most stringent restrictions. The recommendation was to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug, a category that includes substances such as Tylenol with Codeine, ketamine, and anabolic steroids. Although reclassification does not legalize cannabis federally, it does pave the way for more research on the drug and may broaden access to medical marijuana.
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