Official state government announcements

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to Pardon Over 175,000 Marijuana Convictions on Juneteenth in Historic Move

Jun 17, 2024, 12:02 PM

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced a sweeping executive order to pardon more than 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions. This historic action, set to take place on Monday, coincides with Juneteenth and aims to address longstanding inequities in the criminal justice system. The pardon will impact an estimated 100,000 individuals, forgiving decades of low-level marijuana possession charges. Moore's administration has called this the largest state clemency action to date, highlighting its significance in rectifying the disproportionate impact on Black Americans. In 2003 alone, Baltimore City made 32,000 arrests for drug violations, including marijuana possession. The executive order will be signed during a ceremony at the State House, marking one of the nation's most extensive acts of clemency involving a drug now widely used recreationally.