As Marijuana Goes On Sale In Illinois, Some Weed Convictions Pardoned
5 years, 2 months ago

As Marijuana Goes On Sale In Illinois, Some Weed Convictions Pardoned

NPR  

As Marijuana Goes On Sale In Illinois, Some Weed Convictions Pardoned Illinois is the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana. Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker says it's not to make cannabis widely available, but to "maximize equity" — including 11,000 pardons. BRYAN MACKEY, BYLINE: Illinois' first day of legal recreational marijuana featured long lines, more than $3 million in sales and a round of applause for Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, who queued up to buy pot gummies from a shop in Chicago. Back at the church news conference, Esther Franco-Payne of Chicago's Cabrini Green Legal Aid says expungement is usually a really difficult process, and the fact that much of this is happening automatically really means something.

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History of this topic

With pardons in Maryland, 2.5 million Americans will have marijuana convictions cleared or forgiven
9 months, 1 week 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 …

US governor pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions
9 months, 1 week 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 …

U.S. governor pardons 175,000 marijuana convictions
9 months, 1 week 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 …

Maryland governor Wes Moore pardons 175K marijuana convictions in ‘most far-reaching and aggressive’ order
9 months, 1 week 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
9 months, 1 week 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
9 months, 2 weeks 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
11 months, 3 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
1 year 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 to issue pardons for those convicted of cannabis possession
1 year 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, 3 months 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, 3 months 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, 3 months 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, 4 months 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 seeks details on marijuana possession convictions
2 years, 5 months ago

Beshear seeks details on marijuana possession convictions

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday that he’s asking for a review of how many Kentuckians have marijuana possession convictions as he considers President Joe Biden’s request that governors issue pardons for people convicted of state marijuana offenses. Meanwhile, Beshear’s review of marijuana issues expanded last week when Biden announced he’s pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of …

Why Biden’s Marijuana Pardons Are Not Enough
2 years, 5 months ago

Why Biden’s Marijuana Pardons Are Not Enough

Slate  

No prisoners will walk free following President Joe Biden’s pardon, last week, of low-level marijuana offenders. Several months after the state legalized medical marijuana, Mississippi’s Supreme Court upheld a life sentence for Allen Russell, who’d been convicted of possessing about an ounce. One reason illegal operators do so well is they don’t tax upward of 35 percent, which state consumers …

Joe Biden's cannabis pardons matter — but the war on drugs' racist legacy lingers
2 years, 5 months ago

Joe Biden's cannabis pardons matter — but the war on drugs' racist legacy lingers

Raw Story  

Last week President Biden announced he would pardon people convicted of simple marijuana possession. This mass pardon could help over 6,000 people but it’s still a drop in the bucket in our fight to end the criminalization of marijuana use and the outsized harm to Black and brown communities from that criminalization. The executive order was clear that it didn’t …

Racial equity in marijuana pardons requires states’ action
2 years, 5 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, 5 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, 5 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, 5 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, 5 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 on federal marijuana possession charges
2 years, 5 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 …

Biden pardons thousands convicted of marijuana possession
2 years, 5 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 faces ‘urgent’ calls for mass pardons for cannabis convictions
3 years, 3 months ago

Biden faces ‘urgent’ calls for mass pardons for cannabis convictions

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 Members of Congress have “urgently” requested an update from President …

Illinois sees record pot sales, with boost from Lollapalooza
3 years, 7 months ago

Illinois sees record pot sales, with boost from Lollapalooza

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Illinois dispensaries sold a record $127.8 million in recreational marijuana in July, with a big boost coming from out-of-state fans who converged on Chicago for the Lollapalazoo music festival. The month’s sales were 10% higher than May’s record of $116.4 million, which were slightly higher than June’s $115.6 million, according to a monthly report by the Illinois Department …

Illinois erases 500,000 low-level cannabis charges
4 years, 2 months ago

Illinois erases 500,000 low-level cannabis charges

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The governor of Iliinois …

Thousands of cannabis cases expunged due to legalization
4 years, 2 months ago

Thousands of cannabis cases expunged due to legalization

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday the forgiveness and expungement of about 500,000 criminal cannabis cases. Pritzker said he issued pardons for 9,210 low-level cannabis convictions, while Illinois State Police have wiped clean more than 492,000 non-felony cannabis-related arrest records. “But we can govern with the courage to admit the mistakes of our past and the decency to …

Illinois sees first legal sales of recreational marijuana
5 years, 2 months ago

Illinois sees first legal sales of recreational marijuana

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Illinois’ first day of legal recreational marijuana generated nearly $3.2 million in sales, state officials announced Thursday. “There’s new room for new people to come in.” By comparison, neighboring Michigan, which made recreational marijuana legal starting Dec. 1, generated $3.1 million in the first two weeks of sales. Hutchinson said Thursday marked “phase two’’ of the Illinois legalization …

Michigan, Illinois set to usher in recreational pot sales
5 years, 4 months ago

Michigan, Illinois set to usher in recreational pot sales

Associated Press  

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — James Daly is eager to make marijuana history on Sunday, when he plans to open the doors to Arbors Wellness, beckon the lengthy line outside and legally start selling recreational pot for the first time in the Midwest. “We wanted to rip the Band-Aid off.” Both Michigan and Illinois, which allows sales starting on Jan. 1, …

Michigan, Illinois Set To Usher In Recreational Pot Sales
5 years, 4 months ago

Michigan, Illinois Set To Usher In Recreational Pot Sales

Huff Post  

This Nov. 25, 2019 photo shows marijuana on display at Arbors Wellness in the medical marijuana shop in Ann Arbor, Mich. ASSOCIATED PRESS ANN ARBOR, Mich. — James Daly is eager to make marijuana history on Sunday, when he plans to open the doors to Arbors Wellness, beckon the lengthy line outside and legally start selling recreational pot for the …

North Dakota clears way for pardons on marijuana offenses
5 years, 8 months ago

North Dakota clears way for pardons on marijuana offenses

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s pardon advisory board on Wednesday unanimously backed a policy change that will allow people with low-level marijuana convictions to apply for pardons and have their records wiped clean if they don’t commit another crime for five years. “The burden shouldn’t be something that person has to carry around forever.” The new policy “totally removes a …

Illinois offers reparations as it legalises cannabis
5 years, 9 months ago

Illinois offers reparations as it legalises cannabis

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. Cannabis advocates have stressed the need to include reparations in legalizations to compensate communities …

Illinois now the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana
5 years, 9 months ago

Illinois now the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana

CNN  

Washington CNN — Illinois is now the 11th state in the United States to legalize the purchase and possession of recreational marijuana. The measure, which passed the Illinois General Assembly earlier this month, also pardons individuals with nonviolent convictions for amounts of cannabis up to 30 grams. “In the past 50 years, the war on cannabis has destroyed families, filled …

Illinois poised to be 11th state to legalize marijuana use
5 years, 9 months ago

Illinois poised to be 11th state to legalize marijuana use

Associated Press  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois is likely to become the 11th state to allow small amounts of marijuana for recreational use after the Democratic-controlled House on Friday sent a legalization plan to Democratic Gov. But Cassidy said Friday the first year’s take would be $58 million and the state could expect $500 million in five years. “This will have a transformational …

Illinois advances legalized pot after home growing settled
5 years, 10 months ago

Illinois advances legalized pot after home growing settled

Associated Press  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers working to legalize recreational marijuana hit a snag that other states have wrestled with: whether to allow people to grow a few pot plants for personal use. The 10 states that have legalized recreational marijuana have different “home grow” rules, with Michigan allowing individuals to grow as many as 12 plants and Washington state not …

Washington Gov. Inslee to pardon marijuana convictions
6 years, 2 months ago

Washington Gov. Inslee to pardon marijuana convictions

Associated Press  

SEATTLE — More than six years after the state legalized the adult use of marijuana, Washington Gov. “We have people who have this burden on their shoulders from a simple, one-time marijuana possession from maybe 20 years ago, and that’s impeding the ability of people to live their lives,” Inslee said in an interview. Inslee’s plan appears to be the …

Marijuana legalization debate shifts from ‘when’ to ‘how’
6 years, 2 months ago

Marijuana legalization debate shifts from ‘when’ to ‘how’

Associated Press  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Proposed plans for the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Illinois have shifted from “when” to “how.” Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker campaigned on the legalization issue and its corresponding tax revenue of as much as $1 billion a year. “And you see slight increase in people over 50 because their knees hurt.” The Steans-Cassidy plan would allow …

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