"Maryland made history when we legalized cannabis by referendum,” stated Governor Moore in the press release (1). Moore signed an executive order pardoning convictions including not only possession of cannabis but also drug paraphernalia possession, reportedly a first for any state pardoning cannabis convictions. Both the press release and the executive order highlighted the racial disparities in cannabis convictions and prohibition (2). With this order, Massachusetts has become the most recent state pardoning cannabis convictions, nine other states having already issued pardons of their own (3). Specifically, convictions of state court misdemeanor possession of cannabis convictions —also known as possession of a “Class D substance” —before March 13, 2024, are the only convictions eligible for this pardon.

Source: Washington Post June 20, 2024 00:25 UTC