Annapolis, Maryland – Gov. Wes Moore today granted 175,000 Maryland convictions related to possession of cannabis, including convictions for misdemeanor possession of cannabis and misdemeanors of drug paraphernalia. He signed a historic executive order. The order represents the largest pardon for misdemeanor marijuana possession fees in any state in the country, and by including tools, Maryland is the first state to do so.
“Maryland made history when it legalized cannabis in a referendum. But we can't celebrate the benefits of legalization while forgetting the consequences of criminalization. Maryland is no longer illegal We should not face barriers to housing, employment or education based on a conviction against,” Gov. Moore said. “Today, we take a big step towards ensuring equal justice for all. But this is not our last effort. We are more fair and more just, We must continue our partnership to build a society with a leaving nation. One behind.
The governor's pardon was overwhelmingly approved by a popular referendum following a constitutional amendment passed during Maryland's 2022 legislative meeting, legalizing the use and possession of cannabis. Of the 175,000 amnes issued, more than 150,000 represent misdemeanors of simple marijuana possession, and more than 18,000 are misdemeanors of using or possession with intent to use drug equipment. represents a conviction of
The eligibility criteria for amnesty include:
A conviction for misdemeanor possession of cannabis with intent to use drug devices or for use or possession of misdemeanor. A conviction for misdemeanor use or possession was intended to use drug equipment and no other charges occurred if it was related to misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Constituent conviction or probation related punishment before sentencing. Fees incurred prior to January 1, 2023 decriminalized possession of personal amounts of cannabis. Those convicted have been denied the opportunity as they faced sudden obstacles to work, education and housing,” said Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. “Governor Moore's pardon removes these barriers and allows thousands of Maryland to live productive lives without obstacles created by previous beliefs. Governor Moore said: and thank you for his bold and decisive action in the name of fairness.”
As a result of the executive order, Maryland Judicial Justice ensures that each individual's electronic docket is updated with an entry indicating that it has been pardoned by the governor. This process is expected to take about two weeks.
Gov. Moore's executive order also directs the Department of Public Safety to develop a process that shows an individual's criminal history that the conviction has been forgiven. This process is expected to take approximately 10 months to complete.
“The Last Prisoner Project praises Governor Moore and his administration's actions to correct the racial disparities caused by the marijuana ban. Today's historic pardon is the boldest measure the governor has made. and ultimately at the end of the tunnel, it provides light to those who are dealing with the collateral results of the record – based solely on scar-colored letters from the past who cannot find housing, employment, education, or finance. “The product was,” said Jason Ortiz, director of the Last Prisoner Project Strategic Initiative. “By continuing to call for cannabis tolerance against President Biden's governor, Governor Moore has become a champion of cannabis justice that other governors can follow. What you need is a pen stroke to the right history.”
Governor Moore signed the executive order using the “correct history from the pen” of the last prisoner project. It is used by family, friends and loved ones affected by cannabis imprisonment across the country to write letters to elected officials seeking justice. This pen is a powerful symbol to represent the real impact of helping to fix the illegal incarceration of victimless cannabis-related sentences. The governor's pardon does not release incarcerated individuals, but it is an important first step in ensuring fair and impartial control of the judiciary surrounding Maryland's cannabis convictions.
Individuals do not need to take any action to receive a pardon. After the judiciary renews the electronic docket, reflecting the pardon, which is a process that takes about two weeks, individuals check online or at public kiosks in any courthouse in the state to see if it is included in the pardon. can.
To view individual records, visit the Maryland Judicial Cases Search website: casearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/. To find the nearest court, go to mdcourts.gov/courtsdirectory/courtlocations.
Anyone who is eligible for an amnesty but is not included in a large amnesty can apply for an amnesty through the usual application process. To apply for amnesty, go to dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/pdfs/application-for-pardon-revized.pdf.
“This courageous action by Governor Moore is a much bigger puzzle of tackling the devastating drug war that continues to disproportionately hurt, harm, and harm alienated black and brown communities. That's the part,” says Heather Warneken, executive director of the Faculty of Law at the University of the Criminal Justice Reform Center. “We look forward to celebrating this historic victory and partnering with the administration in future work.”
Amnesty is different from elimination. Maryland Judicial Justice notes on the record that the violation was permissible, but it still appears in personal records. Erastion is the process in which a criminal conviction is destroyed and completely removed from the public record. Anyone who wishes to remove a conviction from the public record must apply for cancellation. Find more details about submissions for expungement at excourts.gov/legalhelp/expungement.
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