PARDONS TO PROGRESS
Join us in urging the nation’s governors to use their clemency power to release every last cannabis prisoner.
The Power of Pardons.
A pardon is the use of executive power (typically by the President or a Governor) to relieve some or all of the legal consequences resulting from a criminal conviction. Federal and state-level pardons have the effect of restoring certain civil liberties that are typically lost as a result of a criminal conviction. This can include restoring an individual’s right to vote, hold state or local office, or sit on a jury.
This power was recently exemplified when Last Prisoner Project stood alongside Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland for the largrst state-level cannabis pardons in U.S. history.
Join The Movement.
Follow the lead of Big Freedia, Chelsea Handler, Daveed Diggs, Ilana Glazer, Montel Williams, Susan Sarandon, and other luminaries by writing a letter to your governor today!
FAQs.
What is a pardon?
A pardon is the use of executive power (typically the President of the United States or a Governor) to relieve some or all of the legal consequences of a criminal conviction.
The president can only pardon federal convictions, and governors can only pardon state-level convictions.
What does a pardon do?
Federal and state-level pardons have the effect of restoring certain civil liberties that are typically lost as a result of a criminal conviction. This can include restoring an individual’s right to vote, hold state or local office, or sit on a jury.
What doesn't a pardon do?
Federal: A federal pardon does not remove or shield the conviction on an individual’s criminal record. A federal pardon also does not have the effect removing individuals from federal custody. Only a commutation, which is different from a pardon, can amend a criminal sentence imposed by a federal court. For federal offenses, individuals who receive a pardon will not have the conviction removed or shielded from public view.
State: In some states, a state-level pardon, in addition to restoring civil liberties, may have the effect of removing or shielding the conviction from public view, but not always. Additionally, a pardon does not have the effect of releasing individuals from state custody. As such, individuals who receive state-level pardons must often still seek and obtain separate relief in addition to a pardon to be released or to remove or shield the conviction from public view.
Why do states need to get invovled?
In 2022, President Biden pardoned simple possession charges on the federal level. Unfortunately, the vast majority of marijuana-related convictions – simple possession or otherwise – take place on the state level. This means that in reality, Biden’s pardons don't reach very far, ultimately releasing zero people from federal custody… and impacting 0 people with state convictions.
So, while the Former President’s executive actions are an important step forward, there is much more that needs to be done on the state level. Given that the Former President didn't have the power to pardon people for state charges, this leaves it up to the states to provide relief for individuals still suffering from the harms of past prohibition policies.
I'm a policymaker. How can LPP support me?
LPP’s policy team provides nonpartisan, evidence-based technical assistance to jurisdictions working to advance cannabis laws that provide retroactive relief.
As part of our Pardons to Progress campaign, we’re offering our expertise to support your office in the development and implementation of a targeted cannabis relief initiative.
After you fill out this policy assistance form, we’ll set up a meeting and evaluate how we can best effectuate relief in your state.
