Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order Monday that will pardon 175,000 marijuana-related convictions, NBC News reported, a month after the Justice Department initiated the process to reclassify the substance as a Schedule III drug.
The order is expected to pardon convictions of an estimated 100,000 people, according to multiple ... [+]
The executive order includes more than 150,000 cannabis possession convictions and more than 18,000 misdemeanor convictions for possession or use with intent to use drug paraphernalia, according to NBC News, citing a press call from Moore’s office.
Representatives for Moore’s office did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
In mid-March, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced she was seeking a blanket pardon for misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions, pending approval from the governor’s council. The council approved the action on April 3, and it took effect immediately.
- That’s how many states have legalized marijuana recreationally, according to a Feb. 29 report from Pew Research Center.
Biden Says Marijuana Being Reclassified As Schedule III Drug (Forbes)
Over $87 million spent on cannabis in Maryland’s first month of adult sales (The Washington Post)
Healey's historic marijuana possession pardons approved by governor's council (NBC Boston)