Health

Governor Wes Moore Pardons More Than 175,000 Marijuana Convictions

By Patrick Herron

On Monday, June 17, 2024, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order that pardons more than 175,000 marijuana convictions.

Moore posted the following statement on Twitter/X:

“I am humbled to be with you in the historic Maryland State House – as we make history of our own, together.

This morning – with deep pride and soberness – I will pardon over 175,000 convictions related to the possession of cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia. This Administration has stood up what many believe is one of the most equitable and efficient adult-market cannabis rollouts of any state in history.

And yet, we know that legalization doesn’t turn back the clock on decades of harm caused by the War on Drugs. We cannot celebrate the benefits of legalization while forgetting the consequences of criminalization.

When it comes to cannabis, rolling out one of the best and most equitable legal markets in the country is important, but that rollout must go hand-in-hand with pardoning past conduct. And Maryland is going to lead by example.

Today, we take a big step toward enacting the kinds of policies that can reverse the harm of the past and help us build a brighter future. We couldn’t have gotten here without the extraordinary partnership of our incredible lawmakers, leaders, and advocates.”

Recreational cannabis sales became legal in Maryland on July 1, 2023. Any resident over the age of 21 with a valid government ID is now legally allowed to purchase and possess cannabis products from registered dispensaries in Maryland. A list of cannabis dispensaries that operate in Montgomery County below can be found below.

Bethesda: 

Burtonsville:

Chevy Chase:

Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village:

Germantown: 

Olney: 

Rockville:

Silver Spring: