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More than 2,500 people have applied for marijuana pardons since the project launched on September 1
Pennsylvania residents have a unique opportunity to quickly receive a pardon from minor marijuana-related convictions through Governor Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman’s Marijuana Pardon Project, and time is running out for those who wish to apply.
More than 2,500 people have already applied to have their marijuana convictions pardoned through the project, and the deadline to apply through the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons is this Friday, September 30, 2022.
“Pennsylvanians convicted of simple marijuana charges are automatically disqualified from so many life opportunities: jobs, education, housing, special moments with family. This is wrong,” Governor Wolf said. “In Pennsylvania, we believe in second chances – I urge those who qualify to apply now, don’t miss your chance to forge a new path.”
“Good people are being held back from living their best lives because of some old non-violent weed accusation,” said Lt. Gov. Fetterman. “Now is the time to apply, because we have no idea how long the Legislature will continue to deny common sense legalization.”
It is estimated that thousands of people became eligible due to convictions over the past few decades, even before marijuana was listed as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
Anyone with only the two select marijuana offenses noted below is eligible to apply, and there is no age limit on conviction.
People eligible for a pardon are those with one or both of the following convictions:
- Possession of Marijuana (Title 35, Section 780-113, Subdivision A31)
- Marijuana, small amount for personal use (Title 35, section 780-113, subdivision A31I)
The online application for an expedited pardon through this one-time project is available at pa.gov/mjpardon. Once an individual submits their application, they will be contacted if necessary follow-up is required.
If a person lacks the necessary technology to apply online, Pennsylvania CareerLink® centers have offered their locations as a resource. PA CareerLink centers have computers that are open to the public to complete your job search, update resumes, prepare for interviews, and now apply for this massive pardon project. To find a local PA CareerLink, go to www.pacareerlink.pa.gov, scroll to the bottom of the page and select a county.
Those who are not eligible to apply for clemency through this project because they have additional convictions on their record are encouraged to apply for clemency using a standard application available at bop.pa.gov.
Although a pardon is a full pardon, those granted pardons will still have to petition the court to have the conviction expunged from their record.
Governor Wolf has prioritized criminal justice reform throughout his administration, and thanks to his leadership, Pennsylvania is a leader in pardon reform. Since taking office, Governor Wolf has granted 2,098 pardons, 326 of which were part of expedited review for non-violent marijuana-related offenses. In the 15 years prior to Governor Wolf’s tenure, a total of only 1,805 pardons were granted.
Governor Wolf has served two terms as a leader consistently working for the people of Pennsylvania. Learn more about how his priorities for Pennsylvania have fueled the community’s return, leaving Pennsylvania in a much better place than when he arrived.
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