Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order on June 17, 2024 pardoning about 175,000 Maryland cannabis convictions, according to the governor's office. Roughly 150,000 are misdemeanor simple possession and 18,000 are paraphernalia.
It covers misdemeanor cannabis possession or paraphernalia with no other charges, guilty or probation before judgment, before January 1, 2023. No action is required; the judiciary adds a pardon entry to electronic dockets. The pardon notation stays on the record, and removing a conviction needs separate expungement. The pardon does not release any incarcerated person.
Why it matters: Maryland's pardon clears a large number of misdemeanor records but leaves out anyone serving a sentence.
Source: Office of the Governor of Maryland, 2024-06-17. Forgotten Prisoner's account is based on this press release.