Moore’s pardon action automatically forgives every misdemeanor marijuana possession charge the Maryland judiciary can locate in the state’s electronic court records system, along with every misdemeanor paraphernalia charge tied to use or possession of marijuana.
Both bills await action from Republican Gov. Jeff Landry legislation. If the Governor fails to take action on the bills within ten days of them being transmitted, they will automatically become law.
“As more states have adopted legalization, public support for this policy has risen dramatically among voters — regardless of party affiliation. Elected officials who refuse to take action to end cannabis criminalization do so at their own political peril.”
“Our sense of justice and our principles of fairness demand that public officials and the courts move swiftly to right the past wrongs of cannabis prohibition and criminalization.”
Vice President Harris stopped the room to take a moment and say in the clearest words that “we need to legalize marijuana.”
Vice President Harris emphasized that “nobody should have to go to jail” for marijuana use, and lamented that “far too many Americans” have faced serious legal consequences for minor marijuana offenses.
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans unduly carry the burden and stigma of a past conviction for behavior that most Americans, and a growing number of states, no longer consider to be a crime.”
“Our sense of justice and our principles of fairness demand that public officials and the courts move swiftly to right the past wrongs of cannabis criminalization.”