Up In Smoke! Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Pardons 175,000 Marijuana Convictions

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore pardoned more than 175,000 marijuana convictions Monday in a sweeping executive order. It impacts misdemeanor charges for people who were found guilty of possessing small amounts of marijuana. More than 150,000 of the convictions being pardoned are misdemeanors for simple possession of cannabis, and another 18,000 misdemeanors are for use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. “Today we take a big step in enacting the kinds of policies that can reverse the harm of the past and to help us to work together to build a brighter future.” Moore framed his decision as an attempt to right past wrongs in the criminal justice system. Baltimore City makes up about 25% of the convictions being pardoned, the governor’s office said. Moore said nearly half of all state drug arrests in the early 2000s were for cannabis. State officials said they are working with the court to determine the demographic breakdowns but believe Black Marylanders will be most affected by the pardons.

Source: CBS News