Gov. Wolf starts the process of issuing pardons for lower-level marijuana convictions

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians with minor, nonviolent marijuana criminal convictions could be pardoned beginning Thursday in a period until the end of the month under a joint effort from Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.

The pardon effort will allow anyone who has been convicted of possession of marijuana or a small amount of personal use to apply. There is no limit for the age of conviction.

Officials estimate that thousands of Pennsylvanians are eligible due to convictions over the last several decades.

“It’s a good example of Gov. Wolf and Lt. Gov. Fetterman doing everything they can from the executive office on this issue,” said Chris Goldstein, NORML’s Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware regional organizer. “This is as much as they can do. It’s still really limited.”

» READ MORE: John Fetterman ran the Board of Pardons like an activist — and at times a bully

Last year, Goldstein said, 13,000 people who were arrested for marijuana use could potentially benefit from this pardon effort.

“This one-month window, I hope this works, but there could be hundreds of thousands of people that apply,” he said.

The window for the pardon effort is limited by Wolf’s remaining tenure. Having Sept. 30 as the cutoff date allows the applications to be reviewed at the Board of Pardon’s October meeting.

In a statement, Wolf said he has called on the Republican-controlled legislature to support the legalization of adult-use marijuana. An effort from Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin of Erie County so far has not advanced.

“Until they do, I am committed to doing everything in my power to support Pennsylvanians who have been adversely affected by a minor marijuana offense on their record,” Wolf said.

The announcement comes the same week that Fetterman, who is running as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, called on President Joe Biden to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and less than 70 days before the midterm elections.

Pennsylvania Republicans slammed the pardon project as a political “sideshow” for Fetterman and said Wolf should work with the legislature on long-term reform.

“This literal get out of jail free card is outside the normal scope of the pardons process, lacks serious oversight, and does even more to pick winners and losers in the criminal justice reform process,” said Jason Gottesman, spokesperson for the House Republican Caucus.

“Ultimately, it reeks of 11th hour desperation from an Administration in search of a legacy. Instead of granting hyper light speed pardons based on what they wish the law to be, they instead should work with the legislature on real reform, not a sideshow for a major office candidate.”

Staff writer Julia Terruso contributed to this article.