Do Maryland’s mass marijuana pardons go far enough?

Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced the pardon of 175,000 people with low-level marijuana convictions, marking one of the most extensive acts of clemency for such crimes in the U.S. This move aims to address barriers to employment, education, and housing that criminal records impose, particularly on people of color, who are disproportionately affected by marijuana convictions.

Pardons provide psychological relief and reduce stigma, but they do not erase convictions from records. Employers and landlords can still see pardoned convictions, which can hinder job and housing opportunities. Experts, like Colleen Chien from UC Berkeley School of Law, suggest that sealing or expunging records, which hide or remove them from public view, would be more effective in reducing these barriers.

While Maryland offers expungement for some marijuana convictions, the process is complex and requires individuals to apply. The Clean Slate Initiative advocates for automatic record clearance to ensure past convictions do not impede access to opportunities. However, automating expungement is challenging due to technological and logistical issues, as seen in states like Utah and Pennsylvania, which have experienced backlogs and data inconsistencies.

Despite these hurdles, automation of record clearance can significantly benefit those with eligible convictions, shifting the burden from individuals to the state. Even with some limitations, automation has successfully cleared records for millions, proving its overall effectiveness.

Source: NPR