Massachusetts Approves Pot Pardon Policy

The Massachusetts Governor’s Council unanimously approved a proposal to grant clemency to residents with past misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions, making the state the first to align with the federal pot pardon program under the Biden administration. Chief Justice of Massachusetts Trial Courts Heidi Brieger estimated around 22,000 potential pardons, while councilor Terrence Kennedy suggested a higher number of 69,000 to 100,000. This initiative, spearheaded by Gov. Maura Healey, received high praise from the council members, with some suggesting it should extend to other types of past convictions, such as joint-venture first-degree murder. Despite the positive reception, some critics like Phillip Drumm of Parents Opposed To Pot (POPPOT) expressed concerns about pardoning marijuana convictions, citing instances of impaired driving leading to tragic outcomes. However, proponents argue that pardoning these convictions will rectify past injustices and help individuals move forward with their lives. Kennedy advocates for Massachusetts to actively seek out eligible candidates for pardons. He emphasizes the importance of reaching out to individuals with marijuana convictions who may not be aware of the pardon process. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden supports this approach, suggesting that the state should utilize its resources to identify and automatically process pardon cases. Testimonies in favor of the pardon also came from Newton Police Chief John Carmichael, who noted some controversy within the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association regarding the new policy. Despite differing opinions, Mr. Drumm expressed concerns about the potential risks of setting a precedent with these pardons. He raised questions about the implications for professions like nursing and aviation.

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