‘You have to start removing these barriers’
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Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order pardoning an estimated 175,000 of marijuana-related convictions on Monday.
MooreannouncedthathewouldpardonanyoneconvictedofamarijuanapossessionchargeoradrugparaphernaliachargetiedtothepossessionoruseofmarijuanaatasigningceremonyMonday.Thegovernorstressedthatthepardonswillhelptocorrectwhathebelievestobepastharmsinflictedon“communitiesofcolor”throughthe“warondrugs,”notingthathisactionscoincidewiththeweekofJuneteenth,aholidaythathasbeenreferredtoas“blackindependenceday.”
“I’mecstaticthatwehavearealopportunitywithwhatI’msigningtorightalotofhistoricalwrongs,”MooretoldTheWashingtonPost.“Ifyouwanttobeabletocreateinclusiveeconomicgrowth,itmeansyouhavetostartremovingthesebarriersthatcontinuetodisproportionatelysitoncommunitiesofcolor.”(RELATED:WeedAdvocatesAreRampingUpLobbyingEffortsAndNotchingWins)
Moorehashistoricallybeenfriendlytothecannabisindustry,releasing$40millionwo
