On June 19, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issued close to 7,000 pardons for cannabis misdemeanors, pardoning 6,938 convictions of simple cannabis possession.

These pardons expand upon the historic executive clemency order that pardoned nearly 175,000 cannabis-related convictions in 2024. The clemency order targeted misdemeanor possession of cannabis and some convictions of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, being the first in the country to include paraphernalia in a clemency order and setting a new record for largest pardon for misdemeanor cannabis possession charges by any state in the country.

The Expungement Reform Act of 2025 will remove all pardoned cannabis related offenses from public view by Jan 31, 2026.

Governor Moore announced the pardon at Bethel AME Church in Cambridge, Maryland as part of a presentation on the Just Community legislation that he signed in 2024. On July 1, the legislation will enter effect, investing state funds into underserved communities in Maryland and focusing on racial justice, including ending discriminatory policies like redlining, high incarceration rates and disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards. The program will designate 419 of Maryland’s 1,463 census tracts as Just Communities, creating priority consideration for state funds for designated areas.

“Fostering fairer development and addressing inequity not only creates healthier, more resilient communities, but generates lasting social and economic well-being for all,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day.

Photo from State of Maryland