Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, issued pardons for 175,000 cannabis-related convictions on Monday, the largest mass pardoning of its kind since recreational cannabis was legalized in the state last year following similar moves across many US states.
The Democratic leader’s executive order includes 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.
Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor, said the pardons were designed to address longstanding inequities in the criminal justice system connected to the drug.
“Marylanders should not continue to face barriers to housing, employment, or educational opportunities based on convictions for conduct that is no longer illegal,” Moore said in a statement.
“This action will also help make significant progress to address the racial wealth gap and will benefit Marylanders from across the state and from across the economic spectrum,” he added.
Read the full article at The Guardian
