Today, I pardoned 175,000 convictions for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia. It is the largest such action in our nation's history. We cannot celebrate the benefits of legalization without addressing the consequences of criminalization. Maryland will lead by example.
Melanie Mizell
2mo
One of the best Governors in the US.
Melvin Baskin
2mo
I think this action is long overdue. I am 73 years old and I remember growing up in Eastern Kentucky where I saw the older people with a very slim and skinny brown stem in their mouths and nobody took issues with it because it was the norm. I found out after I was a preteen that it was something that they picked out of the ground, dried it out and smoked it like a cigarette or cigar!!!!! It was mood and mind altering because I remember the difference in their behavior when they didn’t have the stem as opposed to when they did. Without using any names I will tell you that I witnessed this personally. I also remember going to a friend’s house and his Grandmother was visiting from Ohio. When I entered the house I smelled this strong odor and it really didn’t captivate my mind. Years later when some of the Vietnam military men came back home I saw this guy who had a new sports car and he was openly smoking something that was obviously not a cigarette or cigar. When I was close enough to smell the odor I immediately recognized the smell being the same as the smell in my friend’s house. Today it’s a criminal act to smoke or possess it, and it’s medically legal……The silent majority has crippled ten generations of YBM!!!!!
John DeGuenther
2mo
Too much has been made out of smoking some herb. Yet, I don’t see any organizations like Mothers Against Marijuana Smokers. Why? Because they don’t exist like they do for alcoholics. If you’re going to make anything illegal it should be alcohol not marijuana. Alcohol causes the deaths from driving drunk and causes deaths by causing liver disease. You cannot even begin to make these comparisons with marijuana the peace pipe. It has been the alcohol lobbyists which have been brainwashing people all these years to think otherwise because they are afraid people will quit buying alcohol when they start buying marijuana. The truth of the matter is nearly every American has already tried marijuana and likes it. 17 States have already legalized it and are making money from selling it. It’s just a matter of time before all the states legalize it. So get over it man!!!!! And quit drinking it’s dangerous!!!!!! I haven’t had a drink in over 20 years!!!!! John Milton DeGuenther
Roserria Roberts
2mo
Thank you from the depths of my heart for your courageous leadership in the nation. May the recognition of this sweeping pardon be replicated across these United States. This action, alongside the optics of hundreds of Cannabis distributors and dispensaries earnings millions of dollars, provides a glimmer of light for our black and brown incarcerated brothers and sisters. I am forever grateful.
Jackson Audrey
2mo
Do I want my surgeon, dentist, anesthesiologist, lab technician, law enforcement officer, primary care doctor, day care provider, builder, bridge worker, meat processor, or Amazon delivery driver high on marijuana? NO. Neither did the survivors or victims of crimes committed by persons high on marijuana. Marijuana use never stopped rape, child abused, domestic violence, unemployment, robbery, manslaughter or other severe consequences of its use. We have a big enough problem with drug use in our border states. To normalize a crime involving this substance is unconscionable and beyond sad, especially for people of color.
Joe Moylan
2mo
How about working on the budget without raising taxes and the O'Malley favorite fees. Oh wait, you already raised fees.
Kudos Gov! I hope others follow your lead. It bothers me how so many are now profiting and making millions off cannabis after yearrrs of locking up those in our communities for even a small possession.
A.J. Ali
2mo
I wish 2028 would hurry up and get here because I think we ALL know who will be elected POTUS. This right here is the kind of leadership Maryland has needed for a long time and I’m glad to be back here as a witness to history in the making and our bright future in the making too!
Aaron Wonneman
2mo
There are MANY opinions on this — but keep in mind that pardons were already issued at the federal level. Also recognize that the State of Maryland already has a voter-approved recreational cannabis program (in addition to medical). This seems like a logical “next step.” Whether you agree or not — opinions have evolved on this topic significantly. It is senseless, unjust, and flat-out impractical to incarcerate people solely for use or possession of cannabis (especially in states with thriving cannabis industries). Is more regulation needed for cannabis on a national level? Absolutely. Are more arrests needed for simple cannabis use or possession? Absolutely not. (Note: There should always be exceptions for cannabis use directly tied to dangerous behavior or injury — DUI for example — but the same is true for alcohol).
Mother of 6 children
2moHmm! I know I am going to catch some flak from this. I do not agree with this. I personally know a young man who died of an overdose. Guess what the first drug was he took. You guessed it, marijuana. I know what you're thinking, that marijuana isn't a gateway drug. For some it is! Some have addiction disease and they can not smoke marijuana. Why can't people who quit drugs smoke marijuana, because it is a drug and it can lead to other substance abuse! Ask yourself this, why do people have to take a drug to alter themselves? What's next the legalization of opioids, heroin, meth, or coke? Where do we draw the line?