Governor wants to pardon everybody with misdemeanor marijuana convictions

Gov. Healey said today she wants to issue automatic pardons to everybody ever convicted of misdemeanor marijuana-possession charges in Massachusetts.

The measure, if approved by the Governor's Council, would end the current state system, in which people with simple possession charges have to petition a court to seek expungement of their records. The proposal does not include people convicted of felony marijuana trafficking offenses.

In a statement, Healey said the move reflects significant changes in state marijuana laws over the past decade - in particular, legalization of marijuana sales and possession.

Nobody should face barriers to getting a job, housing or an education because of an old misdemeanor marijuana conviction that they
would not be charged for today.