Maryland governor announces pardons of more than 175,000 marijuana convictions
NBCJUN 2024
Maryland Governor Pardons Thousands of Marijuana Convictions
Above: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivers remarks at the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU) 2024 Legislative Conference on April 24, 2024. Image copyright: Anna Moneymaker/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Democrats are at the forefront of the national changing attitude toward marijuana — especially facing how criminalizing it has incommensurately affected communities of color. Moore's actions will go a long way toward reversing discriminatory policies and opening opportunities in housing and employment for those who have been denied them for too long.
Republican narrative
One has to wonder how much Moore's cozy relationship with the cannabis industry affects his policymaking and whether his actions will keep Maryland safe moving forward. In fact, most of the relaxed policies related to marijuana are taking hold in Democrat-run states, which means they'll be the guinea pigs for the impact this will have on public safety.