Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore has enacted legislation (SB 432) mandating the automatic sealing of records for individuals with low-level marijuana convictions. This new law prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search database from referencing any possession charges that have been pardoned by the Governor, effectively removing them from public access. Additionally, the law broadens the range of offenses that qualify for expungement once an individual has completed their sentence.
This move follows an executive order issued by Governor Moore last year, which pardoned more than 175,000 residents with misdemeanor marijuana-related convictions. While pardons absolve individuals of their offenses, they do not remove the existence of these records from public view. The new law aims to rectify this gap by ensuring that records of past cannabis charges do not hinder individuals seeking employment or housing.
The Moore-Miller Administration emphasized that this legislation is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and foster economic opportunities for rehabilitated citizens. The administration stated, “The legislation signed today strengthens the Moore-Miller Administration’s comprehensive approach to public safety while creating pathways to work, wages, and wealth for rehabilitated Marylanders.”
Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), commended the administration for addressing the stigma associated with past marijuana convictions. He noted, “Hundreds of thousands of Americans unduly carry the burden and stigma of a past conviction for behavior that most Americans, and a growing number of states, no longer consider to be a crime.”
Since 2018, NORML reports that over 350,000 marijuana-related pardons and more than two million expungements have been granted across the United States. Maryland’s recent changes contribute to this national trend, recognizing the need to alleviate the consequences of previous marijuana prohibition policies.
In addition to the expungement legislation, lawmakers in Maryland also approved an increase to the state’s special sales tax on adult-use cannabis, which was included in the budget bill passed on the final day of the 2025 legislative session. This adjustment reflects ongoing efforts to regulate the state’s adult-use cannabis market, which was legalized in 2023.
Advocacy organizations and residents are encouraged to continue engaging with their representatives regarding cannabis reform initiatives. NORML offers resources through its Take Action Center to support individuals in advocating for further legislative changes.
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