In a powerful display of leadership and commitment to reparative justice, Maryland Governor Wes Moore made headlines during a Juneteenth celebration by announcing a sweeping pardons for thousands of cannabis-related convictions and unveiling a groundbreaking homeownership program aimed at closing the racial wealth gap.
Speaking at the event, Governor Moore emphasized the urgency of taking real action to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all Marylanders. “We know the racial wealth gap affects all of us. It hurts our economy; it restrains job growth, and it limits our potential as a state,” he stated. “If you want a growing economy, you have to make sure it is an inclusive one.”
As part of his announcement, Moore officially pardons approximately 7,000 individuals convicted of misdemeanor cannabis possession. This follows his June 2024 clemency order, which granted full pardons to more than 175,000 people for similar offenses. The governor made it clear that these pardons are not merely symbolic—they are strategic steps to remove long-standing barriers to employment, housing, and financial stability that disproportionately affect communities of color.
“What we're doing today is about the work of repair,” Moore told NBC4. “It has to do with access. It has to do with inclusivity. It also has to do with money.”
Beyond criminal justice reform, Moore introduced the JUST Communities program, a pioneering initiative designed to uplift historically underserved neighborhoods. Under this plan, 419 Census tracts across the state will receive special priority for state funding and resources. A key feature of this program is a new homeownership initiative that will provide pathways to property ownership for those who have been systemically excluded from building generational wealth.
Moore’s actions are firmly rooted in his administration’s broader equity agenda. From investing in minority-owned businesses to supporting Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), his leadership reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing structural inequality.
The timing of the announcement on Juneteenth—a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States—served as a poignant reminder of the work still needed to confront the legacy of racial injustice. Rather than holding more discussions or commissioning additional studies, Moore stressed the importance of immediate action and measurable outcomes.
