In an interview with the Washington Post, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced his plan to issue a mass pardon for 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions.
The pardon will be officially granted on Monday morning, coinciding with this week’s Juneteenth holiday, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans.
Governor Moore highlighted that Black Americans are historically over three times more likely than white Americans to be arrested for marijuana-related offenses, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
He emphasized that these criminal records often hinder individuals’ access to housing, employment, and education, affecting their families long after their sentences have been served.
Moore expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “I’m ecstatic that we have a real opportunity with what I’m signing to right a lot of historical wrongs.”
This action follows a similar mass pardon in Massachusetts and aligns with President Joe Biden’s efforts to address federal marijuana convictions.
Recently, Biden’s administration has taken steps to reduce the penalties for marijuana use at the federal level.
Although marijuana use and possession remain illegal under federal law, 24 states, including Maryland and Washington D.C., have legalized recreational marijuana use.
Additionally, 38 states, along with Washington D.C., permit medical marijuana use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Governor Moore’s office did not respond to a request for further comment.
The decision reflects a broader trend towards cannabis reform, aiming to rectify past injustices and align state laws with changing public attitudes towards marijuana.