Maryland Governor Pardons More Than 175,000 Marijuana Convictions

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has signed an executive order pardoning more than 175,000 convictions of simple marijuana possession and certain convictions for misdemeanor possession of cannabis paraphernalia. At a news conference on June 17, the Democrat governor described the act as the “most sweeping state-level pardon” in any U.S. state in American history. Mr. Moore said the executive order will affect “tens of thousands of Marylanders” convicted of misdemeanors, noting some people might have more than one conviction pardoned through the process. According to a summary by the governor’s office, more than 150,000 misdemeanor convictions for simple possession of cannabis are affected by the order, which also covers more than 18,000 misdemeanor convictions for use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia....