U.S. governor pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions
6 months ago

U.S. governor pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions

Raw Story  

The governor of the U.S. state of Maryland issued a mass pardon of drug offenses on Monday, in a far-reaching move forgiving 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions across multiple decades. Democrat Wes Moore said his act -- "the most sweeping state-level pardon" in American history -- was aimed at addressing social and economic injustices disproportionately impacting tens of thousands of Black people. Moore, the eastern state's first Black governor, said he intended to right the "decades of harm" wrought by drug policy that had disproportionately targeted African Americans, depriving them of access to housing, education and employment. He said the scope of the pardons -- affecting some 100,000 people -- amounted to a "sweeping and unapologetic" executive action by officials looking to erase criminal justice inequities as more states nationwide ease marijuana laws.

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With pardons in Maryland, 2.5 million Americans will have marijuana convictions cleared or forgiven
6 months ago

With pardons in Maryland, 2.5 million Americans will have marijuana convictions cleared or forgiven

Associated Press  

Maryland this week became the latest state to announce mass pardons for people convicted of marijuana-related crimes as the nation wrestles with how to make amends for the lives disrupted in the decadeslong war on drugs. Wes Moore’s plan, more than 175,000 convictions for possession of cannabis or drug paraphernalia will be pardoned, but not permanently erased from people’s criminal …

For years, crumbs of cannabis impacted a Maryland man’s life. Now he sees a clearer future
6 months ago

For years, crumbs of cannabis impacted a Maryland man’s life. Now he sees a clearer future

Associated Press  

BALTIMORE — For years, a few crumbs of cannabis played an outsized role in shaping Shiloh Jordan’s life. “It was a gargantuan step forward in recognizing the harms of the war on drugs, the racist war on drugs,” said Somil Trivedi, chief legal and advocacy director for Maryland Legal Aid. On Monday, hours after Moore signed an executive order granting …

US governor pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions
6 months ago

US governor pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions

Hindustan Times  

The governor of the US state of Maryland issued a mass pardon of drug offenses on Monday, in a far-reaching move forgiving 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions across multiple decades. US governor pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions Democrat Wes Moore said his act "the most sweeping state-level pardon" in American history was aimed at addressing social and economic injustices disproportionately impacting tens …

Maryland governor Wes Moore pardons 175K marijuana convictions in ‘most far-reaching and aggressive’ order
6 months ago

Maryland governor Wes Moore pardons 175K marijuana convictions in ‘most far-reaching and aggressive’ order

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than 175,000 people with marijuana convictions in Maryland received …

Tens of thousands of Marylanders receive pardons for marijuana convictions
6 months ago

Tens of thousands of Marylanders receive pardons for marijuana convictions

Associated Press  

Wes Moore ordered more than 175,000 pardons for marijuana convictions on Monday, saying the “most sweeping state-level pardon in any state” will help reverse harms from the past caused by the war on drugs. During a news conference, Moore said the executive order will affect “tens of thousands of Marylanders” convicted of misdemeanors. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, who attended …

Maryland governor signs order pardoning more than 175,000 marijuana convictions
6 months ago

Maryland governor signs order pardoning more than 175,000 marijuana convictions

LA Times  

Wes Moore signs the executive order Monday with Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee at his side and other state officials and criminal justice advocates behind him. Wes Moore ordered more than 175,000 pardons for marijuana convictions on Monday, saying the “most sweeping state-level pardon in any state” will help reverse harms from the past caused by the war on …

Massachusetts council approves pardoning people with misdemeanor cannabis convictions
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Massachusetts council approves pardoning people with misdemeanor cannabis convictions

Associated Press  

BOSTON — A Massachusetts council on Wednesday approved Gov. The pardons approved by the Governor’s Council will take effect immediately, although it will take some time to update state criminal records, officials said. The pardons will apply to all adults convicted prior to March 13 in state court for possession of marijuana or a “Class D substance.” Most people will …

Massachusetts governor to pardon those convicted of misdemeanor cannabis possession
9 months, 1 week ago

Massachusetts governor to pardon those convicted of misdemeanor cannabis possession

Associated Press  

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday said she would issue pardons for tens of thousands of people convicted of misdemeanor marijuana charges going back decades in the latest example of a state ambitiously seeking to forgive low-level drug offenders. If approved, the pardons will apply to all adult Massachusetts state court misdemeanor convictions before March 13, 2024, for …

Massachusetts governor proposes sweeping marijuana pardons
9 months, 1 week ago

Massachusetts governor proposes sweeping marijuana pardons

Politico  

Healey’s proposal still needs approval by the state’s Governor’s Council, which is comprised of all Democrats and has a record of backing Healey’s past requests for clemency for certain individuals. Biden granted a pardon to all people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law back in 2022, saying in a statement at the time that “sending people to prison …

Massachusetts governor to issue pardons for those convicted of cannabis possession
9 months, 1 week ago

Massachusetts governor to issue pardons for those convicted of cannabis possession

Associated Press  

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey plans to announce this week that she’s following the lead of President Joe Biden and issuing pardons to those convicted of simple possession of cannabis at the state level, her office said Monday. In December, Biden pardoned thousands of people who had been convicted of the use and simple possession of marijuana on federal …

Joe Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges and cuts non-violent drug sentences
1 year ago

Joe Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges and cuts non-violent drug sentences

ABC  

US President Joe Biden has reduced the prison terms of 11 people serving decades-long sentences for non-violent drug charges and pardoned potentially thousands of others with federal or Washington, DC marijuana possession offences. Key points: Thousands of people convicted of simple possession of cannabis have been pardoned in the US Joe Biden's latest round of clemencies are targeting racial disparities …

Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in Washington
1 year ago

Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana charges on federal lands and in Washington

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia, the White House said Friday, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system. The categorical pardon builds on a similar round issued just before …

Biden pardons thousands of marijuana offenders, gives clemency to 11 people
1 year ago

Biden pardons thousands of marijuana offenders, gives clemency to 11 people

Al Jazeera  

The US president says the actions are meant to address disparities in sentencing that have long taken a toll on the Black community. US President Joe Biden has pardoned thousands of people convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia, says the White House. Biden has also granted clemency to 11 …

Oregon’s governor pardons thousands for pot convictions
2 years, 1 month ago

Oregon’s governor pardons thousands for pot convictions

Associated Press  

Kate Brown announced Monday she is pardoning an estimated 45,000 people convicted of simple possession of marijuana, a month after President Joe Biden did the same under federal law. “No one deserves to be forever saddled with the impacts of a conviction for simple possession of marijuana — a crime that is no longer on the books in Oregon,” said …

Beshear defends legality of his action on medical marijuana
2 years, 1 month ago

Beshear defends legality of his action on medical marijuana

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Beshear’s action will enable Kentuckians to possess up to 8 ounces of medical marijuana at any one time for use for specified medical conditions, provided the cannabis is purchased legally in other states. The governor said Thursday he would be “happy” to rescind his order if the state’s GOP-dominated legislature passes legislation next year to legalize …

Racial equity in marijuana pardons requires states’ action
2 years, 2 months ago

Racial equity in marijuana pardons requires states’ action

Associated Press  

By pardoning Americans with federal convictions for marijuana possession, President Joe Biden said he aimed to partially redress decades of anti-drug laws that disproportionately harmed Black and Latino communities. “We know that this is really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to people who are suffering the effects of marijuana prohibition,” said Maritza Perez, director of federal affairs …

Racial equity in marijuana pardons requires states’ action
2 years, 2 months ago

Racial equity in marijuana pardons requires states’ action

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Advocates for overhauling the nation’s …

President Joe Biden pardons thousands convicted of 'simple possession' of marijuana
2 years, 2 months ago

President Joe Biden pardons thousands convicted of 'simple possession' of marijuana

Firstpost  

According to the White House, no one is currently in federal prison solely for ‘simple possession’ of the drug, but the pardon could help thousands overcome obstacles to renting a home or finding a job Washington: President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step …

Biden pardons thousands for ‘simple possession’ of marijuana
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden pardons thousands for ‘simple possession’ of marijuana

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of color. “It’s time that we right these wrongs.” According to the White House, no one is currently in federal prison solely …

Biden pardons thousands for 'simple possession' of marijuana
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden pardons thousands for 'simple possession' of marijuana

India Today  

US President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of color. “There are thousands of people who have prior Federal convictions for marijuana possession, who may be denied employment, housing, or educational …

Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana possession
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana possession

Al Jazeera  

US president’s move comes amid efforts to legalise marijuana federally after recent success of state-level campaigns. US President Joe Biden has announced a sweeping pardon for thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal laws, penalties that have disproportionately affected Black and other people of colour across the United States. “There are thousands of people who have prior federal …

Biden pardons thousands convicted on federal marijuana possession charges
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden pardons thousands convicted on federal marijuana possession charges

LA Times  

Along with Thursday’s pardons, President Biden is calling for a review of cannabis’ classification as a Schedule I drug. President Biden on Thursday pardoned all individuals convicted on federal charges of simple marijuana possession, a move that the White House estimated would affect more than 6,500 people nationwide. — President Biden October 6, 2022 “It’s legal in many states, and …

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