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The Light asked readers to weigh in on Gov. Maura Healey’s plan to issue a blanket pardon to those convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession. If you want to comment on the issue, send an email to Voices@newbedfordlight.org. Please include your name and contact info for verification, and write “Marijuana” in the subject line.
Here are some of the responses we received:
“It is blatantly clear that past marijuana convictions have had a disproportionately negative impact on Black and Brown communities across our country. Incarceration rates for marijuana convictions are significantly higher in those communities, as well.
“Gov. Healey has made the right call, in my opinion. There are already too many barriers to economic and social equity. Removing one is the least we can do. The voters rejected the use of marijuana as illegal years ago.”
— Dawn Blake Souza
“Gov. Healey’s proposed executive pardon of incarcerated people and those previously convicted of simple marijuana possession is fair, humane and definitely will save significant taxpayer funds. From all perspectives this is a commendable executive action.
“It will save taxpayers money that is being expended to incarcerate people who are serving time solely for simple possession. Those previously convicted of possession who have been denied employment, housing, child custody or unsupervised visitation, and other benefits available to the general public, will be returned to a non-criminal status and the onus of conviction will be lifted.
“With rampant unemployment in certain business sectors, with hiring signs everywhere, jobs will finally be filled. This will be a win for businesses in desperate need of employees and the taxes paid by those hired will inure to all residents of Massachusetts.
“And from a purely humanitarian perspective this is the right thing to do, especially in view of the many states that have decriminalized simple possession. And once again Massachusetts will lead in removing an unnecessary and unfair impediment that has been shown to disproportionately penalize certain less fortunate members of society.”
— Betty Ussach, Dartmouth
“I agree with the pardon only for those individuals who have a clean record after their conviction of marijuana.”
— Larry Correia
The stark contrast between a drug user’s serving sentence, and our former chief executive trump, out there walking, with all the notable impropriety he has purveyed is the big example of what’s wrong with our American system of justice. Money talks and bullsheite walks! Thank you Governor Healy!