#maryland marijuana

[reasonsforhope]

Article | Paywall Free

"Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issued a mass pardon of more than 175,000 marijuana convictions Monday morning [June 17, 2024], one of the nation’s most sweeping acts of clemency involving a drug now in widespread recreational use.

The pardons forgive low-level marijuana possession charges for an estimated 100,000 people in what the Democratic governor said is a step to heal decades of social and economic injustice that disproportionately harms Black and Brown people. Moore noted criminal records have been used to deny housing, employment and education, holding people and their families back long after their sentences have been served.

[Note: If you're wondering how 175,000 convictions were pardoned but only 100,000 people are benefiting, it's because there are often multiple convictions per person.]

A Sweeping Act

“We aren’t nibbling around the edges. We are taking actions that are intentional, that are sweeping and unapologetic,” Moore said at an Annapolis event interrupted three times by standing ovations. “Policymaking is powerful. And if you look at the past, you see how policies have been intentionally deployed to hold back entire communities.”

Moore called the scope of his pardons “the most far-reaching and aggressive” executive action among officials nationwide who have sought to unwind criminal justice inequities with the growing legalization of marijuana. Nine other states and multiple cities have pardoned hundreds of thousands of old marijuana convictions in recent years, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Legalized marijuana markets reap billions in revenue for state governments each year, and polls show public sentiment on the drug has also turned — with more people both embracing cannabis use and repudiating racial disparities exacerbated by the War on Drugs.

The pardons, timed to coincide with Wednesday’s Juneteenth holiday, a day that has come to symbolize the end of slavery in the United States, come from a rising star in the Democratic Party and the lone Black governor of a U.S. state whose ascent is built on the promise to “leave no one behind.”

The Pardons and Demographics

Derek Liggins, 57, will be among those pardoned Monday, more than 16 years after his last day in prison for possessing and dealing marijuana in the late 1990s. Despite working hard to build a new life after serving time, Liggins said he still loses out on job opportunities and potential income.

“You can’t hold people accountable for possession of marijuana when you’ve got a dispensary on almost every corner,” he said.

Nationwide, according to the ACLU, Black people were more than three times more likely than White people to be arrested for marijuana possession. President Biden in 2022 issued a mass pardon of federal marijuana convictions — a reprieve for roughly 6,500 people — and urged governors to follow suit in states, where the vast majority of marijuana prosecutions take place.

Maryland’s pardon action rivals only Massachusetts, where the governor and an executive council together issued a blanket pardon in March expected to affect hundreds of thousands of people.

But Moore’s pardons appear to stand alone in the impact to communities of color in a state known for having one of the nation’s worst records for disproportionately incarcerating Black people for any crimes. More than 70 percent of the state’s male incarcerated population is Black, according to state data, more than double their proportion in society.

In announcing the pardons, he directly addressed how policies in Maryland and nationwide have systematically held back people of color — through incarceration and restricted access to jobs and housing...

Maryland, the most diverse state on the East Coast, has a dramatically higher concentration of Black people compared with other states that have issued broad pardons for marijuana: 33 percent of Maryland’s population is Black, while the next highest is Illinois, with 15 percent...

Reducing the state’s mass incarceration disparity has been a chief goal of Moore, Brown and Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue, who are all the first Black people to hold their offices in the state. Brown and Dartigue have launched a prosecutor-defender partnership to study the “the entire continuum of the criminal system,” from stops with law enforcement to reentry, trying to detect all junctures where discretion or bias could influence how justice is applied, and ultimately reform it.

How It Will Work

Maryland officials said the pardons, which would also apply to people who are dead, will not result in releasing anyone from incarceration because none are imprisoned. Misdemeanor cannabis charges yield short sentences and prosecutions for misdemeanor criminal possession have stopped, as possessing small amounts of the drug is legal statewide.

Moore’s pardon action will automatically forgive every misdemeanor marijuana possession charge the Maryland judiciary could locate in the state’s electronic court records system, along with every misdemeanor paraphernalia charge tied to use or possession of marijuana. Maryland is the only state to pardon such paraphernalia charges, state officials said...

People who benefit from the mass pardon will see the charges marked in state court records within two weeks, and they will be eliminated from criminal background check databases within 10 months."

-via The Washington Post, June 17, 2024. Headings added by me.

[cannabisbusinessexecutive]

Maryland Police gave out munchies, then watched people get high — for training

Just after 7 p.m., under an outdoor tent in suburban Maryland, Yohanna Molina fired up a joint. With her were 11 others getting high. “This is weird to be doing this here,” she told a friend hunched over a glass bong. “You should try being on the police side of it,” cracked an officer standing behind them, one of more than a dozen cops also in the tent. The exchange cut to the core of the…

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Nick Visser at HuffPost:

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) will pardon more than 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions on Monday, one of the nation’s largest acts of mass clemency, The Washington Post reported. “I’m ecstatic that we have a real opportunity with what I’m signing to right a lot of historical wrongs,” Moore told the Post on Sunday night, adding his action will help undo decades of harm toward people of color. “If you want to be able to create inclusive economic growth, it means you have to start removing these barriers that continue to disproportionately sit on communities of color.” The pardon is meant to coincide with this week’s Juneteenth holiday. Full data of those who will be pardoned will be announced at an event on Monday, although the Post said upwards of 100,000 people could benefit from the act. [...] Maryland legalized recreational use of marijuana on July 1, 2023, becoming one of 23 states, as well as Washington D.C., to do so.

Moore’s action will automatically forgive all misdemeanor possession charges the state is able to find in its electronic database, the Post reports, as well as every misdemeanor paraphernalia charge linked to use or possession of the drug. Those with older convictions only available on paper records will be able to apply for a pardon as well. The governor added that such convictions have been used to deny people housing and employment benefits, even after sentences have been served. And those charges have disproportionally been leveled against communities of color.

Kudos to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) for planning to pardon the 170,000+ low-level marijuana convictions.

[commiepinkofag]

“This needs to go further,” says Medina. “We want to make sure we’re also focusing on community investment and retroactive relief,” adds [Jason] Ortiz [director of strategic initiatives at the Last Prisoner Project].

^to say the least

[dmvcannabisdeliverysblog]

Exploring the Green Scene: Marijuana and Cannabis Products in Washington, D.C.

Certainly! Washington, D.C. has unique regulations and perspectives on marijuana and cannabis products, so let’s delve into some key aspects:

**Legal Status:** Marijuana in Washington, D.C. is legal for recreational use for adults aged 21 and older. Initiative 71, passed in 2014, allows individuals to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana and cultivate up to 6 plants (only 3 mature) in their homes. However, the sale of marijuana is not fully legalized, meaning you cannot legally purchase it in D.C. dispensaries.

**Cannabis Products:** Despite the limitations on sales, there is a thriving market for cannabis-related products such as CBD oils, edibles, and other derivatives. CBD (cannabidiol) products are particularly popular due to their non-psychoactive nature and potential therapeutic benefits.

**Dispensaries and Access:** While D.C. allows home cultivation and possession, dispensaries operate under a unique model where they can provide cannabis as “gifts” or in exchange for donations for other items, such as artwork or clothing. This is due to the legal gray area regarding sales. As of now, there are a number of dispensaries operating in D.C. that navigate these legal nuances.

**Regulations and Challenges:** Navigating the legal landscape of marijuana in Washington, D.C. can be challenging due to the unique laws and ongoing debates about regulation. There are efforts to establish a framework for legal sales similar to other states where recreational use is fully legalized, but progress has been slow.

**Community and Culture:** The cannabis community in D.C. is vibrant and diverse, with events such as cannabis festivals, educational workshops, and advocacy groups playing a significant role. These events often focus on education about safe consumption, legal rights, and the latest developments in cannabis research.

**Conclusion:** Washington, D.C. presents an interesting case study in the evolving landscape of marijuana legalization. While residents have the freedom to possess and grow marijuana, the absence of a legal sales framework presents challenges and opportunities for the local cannabis community. As laws and attitudes continue to evolve, D.C. remains a focal point for discussions on the future of cannabis regulation in the United States.

Would you like more detailed information on any specific aspect of marijuana or cannabis products in Washington, D.C.?

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[moonbasetycho]

Since no one really knows me here

I'm in a major depressive and anxiety episode. I reached out to my health care provider but all I got back so far was a pdf on mindfulness. My psychiatrist wanted to prescribe me medical marijuana because I've gone through just about all the other available drugs, but I can't take it because I'm a federal worker who gets drug tested. Work has made it completely clear that even though its prescribed and completely legal in Maryland, anyone who fails a drug test will be fired. My last therapist was big on rapid blinking LED lights. Between that and being told to do mindfulness harder, I think I've reached the end to whatever therapy can do for me. I don't see any treatment coming so I'll just have to tough it out with my current meds.

[arctic-hands]

Now that cannabis is legalized in Maryland, does anyone know how that effects welfare benefits programs? (In my case, SNAP, SSI, and Medicaid.) I know before legalization, at least with SNAP, if you were caught using (or dealing) drugs then they would take SNAP away from you, permanently, with no way to get back on it. Has that changed, and will other welfare programs be at risk of being lost if I use?

Hell I don't even want to smoke a joint, I just want CBD oil for the chronic illnesses and pain that meant I had to go on all this welfare to begin with. The above is why I never went in for a medical cannabis card even tho that was legal first, that and the fact Medicaid wouldn't cover what I bought and even CBD is pricey

I tried looking this up but all I got were articles about how cannabis legalization is great for "the welfare of the country"

[wizard-mp4]

It is the dawn of the first day. Stay frosty out there maryland. Pray for 95.

[thrvshmonkey]

Throwback to the beginning of quarantine, 2020

[docsofcannabis]

Medical Marijuana Card in Texas

Discover the benefits of possessing a Medical Marijuana Card in Texas. Gain legal access to dispensaries, enjoy tax savings, and receive personalized treatment plans from qualified professionals. With a Texas MMJ card, patients can manage symptoms effectively while adhering to state regulations. Explore the perks of having a Medical Marijuana Card in Texas today.

[greenstoopblog]

Reliable Marijuana Delivery in Maryland - The Stoop

Experience the best in marijuana delivery in Maryland with The Stoop. Our extensive range of premium cannabis products is just a click away. Whether you prefer flower, edibles, or concentrates, we provide fast and reliable weed delivery across Maryland. Order now and enjoy the convenience of cannabis delivery in Maryland.

[ogkzone]

The racist time and tone based on a true story of why marijuana was made and classified as illegal.

https://youtu.be/ZJMeTR227h8?si=li2MAgjPeFcYy_Qd

[xoticxpressshop]

How to Order Weed in Maryland

For cannabis lovers in Maryland, finding reliable and high-quality delivery services is a challenge, but Xotic Xpress Shop is the best dispensary that offers fast and reliable weed service delivery in Maryland. From potent flower varieties to artisanal edibles, concentrates and tinctures, our carefully curated selection caters to both recreational users and medical patients. Each of our products is sourced from reputed producers and manufacturers, ensuring consistent quality and potency.

Our user-friendly website makes browsing and ordering easy. Customers can easily filter products by type, potency or desired effect making it easier to find. Speed ​​and reliability are paramount to us. Our efficient delivery system ensures that orders are delivered promptly within a few hours of placement. We provide a secure and discreet delivery experience while respecting customer privacy every step of the way. Contact us and order weed in Maryland.