ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday highlighted a series of statewide initiatives, including a record-setting $1.34 billion investment in the state’s four historically Black colleges and universities and the mass pardon of 175,000 cannabis possession convictions.
In a post on social media, Moore said the state had also directed more than $816 million in procurement contracts to Black-owned businesses. The moves are part of broader efforts by his administration to address long-standing racial and economic disparities.
“We’ve made progress, and we have more work to do,” Moore said in the post. “So let’s keep doing our part, and let’s keep bending the arc toward justice.”
The $1.34 billion allocation to Maryland’s HBCUs — Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore — follows a settlement from a longstanding lawsuit that accused the state of underfunding the institutions for decades.
The cannabis pardons, announced Monday, are the largest of their kind in the United States. They will apply to individuals with low-level possession convictions, a move Moore’s office says will help remove barriers to housing, employment, and education.
Cannabis pardon aims to correct historic inequities
The mass pardon affects more than 150,000 misdemeanor convictions and over 18,000 cases where cannabis was the only charge. Maryland legalized recreational cannabis for adults in 2023, but the governor’s order represents a retroactive effort to address prior criminal records.
Moore said the decision was a matter of equity and economic opportunity. “We are writing a new chapter in the story of justice in Maryland,” he said during the initial announcement of the executive order.
In addition to the cannabis pardons and HBCU funding, Moore emphasized the state’s procurement strategy, which has prioritized inclusivity for minority-owned businesses. The $816 million awarded marks a shift toward increasing access for historically marginalized entrepreneurs.
The investments come amid Moore’s broader agenda focused on equity, public health, and workforce development. He has repeatedly framed these efforts as a continuation of his administration’s campaign promises.
Maryland is one of several states actively taking steps to expunge or pardon marijuana-related records following legalization, but Moore’s move stands out for its scale and immediate implementation.
Moore highlights economic equity and criminal justice reforms in sweeping state actions.
