Massachusetts Governor to Pardon Thousands of People With Marijuana Convictions

She said the pardons would apply to those arrested as far back as the 1970s war on drugs and earlier.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey in Boston, Mass., on Nov. 30, 2022. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has unveiled sweeping executive action that would pardon everyone in the state convicted of simple marijuana possession.

In a statement on March 13, the Democrat governor described the act as a “nation-leading” effort that could impact the lives of “hundreds of thousands” of people.