News: Maryland Governor Issues 7,000 Cannabis Pardons.
- Manuel Basegla
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
Published 12:00 AM EST, Fri Jun 27, 2025
The move follows the governor’s pardoning last year of over 175,000 past cannabis convictions, a move that affected some 100,000 individuals and was one of the largest-ever gubernatorial cannabis pardoning actions.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) announced the pardon of nearly 7,000 individuals with cannabis-related convictions during a Juneteenth address, building on his landmark decision last year to pardon over 175,000 such offenses. This latest round of pardons further underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing the long-standing impact of cannabis criminalization, particularly on communities of color.
In addition to the cannabis pardons, Gov. Moore outlined a significant financial commitment to racial equity and community development. He pledged $400 million toward raising property values and homeownership in historically underserved neighborhoods, $1.34 billion for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and $816 million in state procurement contracts for Black-owned businesses.
While the pardons do not expunge the records, a bill signed into law in 2024 requires Maryland to automatically shield low-level cannabis convictions from public view. These reforms reflect a broader effort to align criminal justice and economic development with principles of equity and restorative justice, especially in the wake of cannabis legalization.
Gov. Moore’s actions reinforce a growing trend across the U.S. of pairing cannabis legalization with restorative justice. By removing past legal barriers for thousands of individuals, Maryland is creating a more inclusive cannabis economy and labor market. This also helps normalize and legitimize the industry, drawing a clear line between past criminalization and the present-day regulated market. Such policy moves set a precedent for other states considering not just legalization, but equitable implementation, making Maryland a notable case study in post-legalization justice reform.
Source: Ganjapreneur
