On Monday, the governor of Maryland issued a large pardon for drug offenses, forgiving 175,000 minor marijuana convictions spanning several decades.
Democrat Wes Moore called this the “most extensive state-level pardon” in U.S. history, aimed at correcting the social and economic injustices that have heavily affected Black people.
Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor, stated that this move is meant to address the “decades of harm” caused by drug policies that unfairly targeted African Americans, limiting their access to housing, education, and jobs.
He noted that almost half of the state’s drug arrests in the early 2000s were for cannabis, with Black Marylanders being three times more likely to be arrested for cannabis-related offenses than white residents. Despite making up 33% of the state’s population, Black people represent over 70% of the male prison population in Maryland.
At a signing ceremony in Annapolis, Moore said, “Today, we take a big step towards reversing past harms and building a better future together.” He emphasized that this pardon, affecting about 100,000 people, is a “sweeping and unapologetic” move to correct criminal justice inequities as more states relax marijuana laws.
Maryland legalized cannabis for adults in 2023 after a state-wide vote. The governor said the pardons apply to anyone convicted of possessing marijuana or related items.
Maryland’s Attorney General Anthony Brown added, “The data shows a deep bias in drug arrests and sentencing. These cannabis convictions were like modern-day shackles.” He remarked, “I can almost hear those shackles falling to the floor.”
The pardons won’t release anyone from jail, according to the governor’s office.
The action was praised by criminal justice reform activists, including Jason Ortiz from the Last Prisoner Project. He shared his experience of being arrested at 16 for cannabis possession, which disrupted his education and family life.
Heather Warnken, from the Center for Criminal Justice Reform at the University of Baltimore Law School, called the action a “win for thousands of Marylanders getting a fresh start” and a boost to the justice system’s credibility. She emphasized that while there’s still much work to do, this moment represents a significant step towards justice and restoration.
