ANNAPOLIS, Md.—On Thursday, Governor Wes Moore of Maryland announced a number of statewide initiatives, such as the mass pardon of 175,000 cannabis possession convictions and a record-breaking $1.34 billion investment in the state’s four historically Black schools and universities.
Moore said in a social media post that the state had also awarded over $816 million in contracts to Black-owned companies. The actions are a component of his administration’s larger initiatives to rectify historical racial and economic inequalities.
Moore stated in the post, “We have made progress, but we still have more work to do.” Therefore, let’s continue to bend the arc toward justice and do our share.
Following a lengthy lawsuit accusing the state of decades of underfunding the HBCUs, Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore have been awarded $1.34 billion.
The cannabis pardons, which were made public on Monday, are the biggest in the US. The change, which Moore’s office says will assist remove barriers to housing, work, and education, will apply to people with low-level possession convictions.
The goal of the cannabis pardon is to address historical injustices.
Over 150,000 misdemeanor convictions and more than 18,000 cases in which cannabis was the sole offense are impacted by the mass pardon. Although Maryland legalized cannabis for adult recreational use in 2023, the governor’s decree is an attempt to rectify past criminal records.
According to Moore, the choice had to do with economic opportunity and equity. When the executive order was first announced, he declared, “We are writing a new chapter in the story of justice in Maryland.”
Along with the HBCU financing and cannabis pardons, Moore highlighted the state’s procurement policy, which has made inclusivity for minority-owned businesses a top priority. With the allocation of $816 million, traditionally underserved entrepreneurs now have greater access.
The initiatives are part of Moore’s larger agenda, which is centered on workforce development, public health, and equity. On numerous occasions, he has presented these initiatives as an extension of the campaign pledges made by his government.
Moore’s action is notable for its scope and prompt execution, but Maryland is one of several jurisdictions actively working to purge or pardon marijuana-related records after legalization.
Moore emphasizes criminal justice reforms and economic equity in broad state initiatives.
