JustLeadershipUSA Calls on Other State Governors to Follow Maryland’s Lead and Issue Immediate Pardons for Marijuana Charges

Today Maryland Governor Wes Moore issued a mass pardon of more than 175,000 marijuana convictions, one of the nation’s most sweeping acts of this kind involving a drug that is now in widespread recreational use in nearly half of the country. These pardons will automatically forgive every misdemeanor marijuana possession charge, along with every misdemeanor paraphernalia charge tied to use or possession of marijuana. Maryland is the only state to pardon such paraphernalia charges, according to state officials.

JustLeadershipUSA President and CEO and the JustUS Coordinating Council founder DeAnna Hoskins issued the following statement: “When President Biden announced in October 2022 unconditional pardons for anyone with a federal marijuana offense, he called on state governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses, as well. Since then, only five states have issued pardons for marijuana convictions, including Massachusetts which announced in March pardons that will affect hundreds of thousands of individuals.

“These pardons are critical to economic mobility, societal equality, and full participation in democracy. For too long these low-level convictions have impacted individuals, families, and communities who have continued to bear the burden of the war on drugs.

“While we are celebrating the action Maryland’s governor is taking today, we are also renewing our call to all the other governors to answer President Biden’s charge and follow suit with issuing immediate pardons for marijuana convictions for people in their states. In most cases, they have the power, with the stroke of their pen, to take action  without  approval from their state legislature. As Gov. Moore has taken this step to honor the Juneteenth holiday on Wednesday, we hope to see many more such announcements in the days and weeks to come.”