Massachusetts Governor Unveils ‘Nation-Leading’ Marijuana Pardon Plan

By Patrick Wilson

In a move dubbed “nation-leading” in scope, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced plans Wednesday to pardon all prior state convictions for simple marijuana possession.

The proposed blanket pardon would forgive misdemeanor possession convictions in Massachusetts courts before March 13, 2024, but would exclude charges involving distribution, trafficking or impaired driving.

Healey’s office estimates the pardon could impact “hundreds of thousands” of state residents, though an exact number is unknown.

“The reason we do this is simple: justice requires it,” Healey stated, calling it the broadest cannabis pardon ever announced by a U.S. governor.

The pardons would be automatically applied in most cases. Those requiring documentation can apply through an online form.

The plan aims to clear records and provide relief for residents impacted by convictions that are now obsolete following Massachusetts’ legalization of recreational marijuana in 2016.

If approved, the sweeping pardon would be an unprecedented step in righting past wrongs from the war on drugs through mass expungement of low-level cannabis offenses.

Healey framed it as a matter of justice and equitable reform, even as cannabis remains illegal at the federal level.

** This piece was created with the help of ai.

Former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins Suspended from Practicing Law

By Patrick Wilson

Rachael Rollins, the former top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, has been suspended from practicing law in the state due to nonpayment of registration fees.

Court documents show Rollins was among hundreds of attorneys named in a January motion filed by the state’s Board of Bar Overseers seeking suspensions for unpaid fees. The suspensions were granted on February 20th.

Rollins resigned last year as U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts after a Justice Department investigation found she had repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by improperly weighing in on a district attorney election.

She had made history in January 2022 as the first Black woman to serve as the state’s top federal prosecutor upon being sworn in by President Biden. However, her tenure was cut short after just 16 months amid the ethics probe.

Prior to her federal role, Rollins served as the Suffolk County District Attorney.

Following her resignation, Rollins recently took a part-time $96,000 position at Roxbury Community College focused on re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Her law license suspension adds another professional setback for the former prosecutor, whose promising career was derailed by the ethics violations and abuse of power allegations.

** This piece was created with the help of ai.