Pennsylvania Marijuana Pardon Project Finds Errors in Pardon Requests

The Pennsylvania Marijuana Pardon Project launched in September and approximately 3,500 applications were submitted for consideration. While these applications are now awaiting official reviews, many appear to have submitted their applications with typographical errors.

Board of Pardons (BOP) secretary Celeste Trusty said numerous applicants had submitted inaccurate information, many of which were simple typos or other minor errors. “We want to ensure that applicants are not deemed ineligible for the PA Marijuana Pardon Project simply because of a simple typo,” Trusty said. “Our partners in the PA Marijuana Pardon Project are doing everything we can to make this a successful process for as many eligible applicants as possible.”

At its final BOP meeting on October 13, members discussed how applications were being received from 66 of the state’s 67 counties. Most applications came from residents in Dauphin County (298 applications) and York County (284), followed by Allegheny (212) and Philadelphia (197) at the top.

The program is badly needed in the state, according to Meredith Buettner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition. “This is really critical for many Pennsylvanians who have nonviolent marijuana-related crimes on their records. It can deter them from educational opportunities, job opportunities and housing opportunities, so this has been an exciting effort for many Pennsylvanians,” Büttner told Fox43.

“It’s really absolutely incredible to see that as we work through the data to determine who is and isn’t eligible, we hope to be able to impact the lives of so many people over the next few months and help get them on their way a clear record,” Trusty told Fox43.

She added that the next step is for the BOP to start reviewing each application. “The board will look into it [and] review [them] and then they can vote to take that to the governor,” Trusty explained.

The Pennsylvania Marijuana Pardon Project was established in collaboration with Lt. Established by Governor John Fetterman and Governor Tom Wolf. The application window closed on September 30 in what is being described as a “one-off, large-scale pardon effort.” However, those who have not met the deadline can still apply for an expedited pardon.

The schedule for the program calls for the Board to meet after the application window (September 1-30) on October 13 to decide whether applicants will receive a public hearing. Next, on Dec. 13-16, the board will vote on motions to send to the governor for a pardon. On December 16 and thereafter, these applications are sent to the governor, but no time estimate was given. “The governor is under no obligation to act within a specified time of receiving the recommendations,” the program’s website reads. Gov. Wolf’s term ends on Jan. 17, 2023, which is why the application window was so short, the program website adds.

Fetterman, who is currently running for the Pennsylvania Senate, is a staunch supporter of cannabis legalization and its impact on his state’s residents. At the recent 5th Annual Cannabis Opportunities Policy Summit, he described Pennsylvania as “a second chance place” that “will help people get fast pardons for stupid cannabis convictions.”

In early September, Fetterman sent out a press release detailing the need to legalize President Joe Biden. “It’s about time we finally decriminalized marijuana,” Fetterman said. “The President needs to use his executive powers to begin de-scheduling marijuana, I would love for him to do that before his visit to Pittsburgh. This is just common sense and Pennsylvanians are overwhelmingly supportive of decriminalizing marijuana.”

Fetterman later mentioned having a “great conversation” with President Biden about cannabis policy. Two weeks after the Pennsylvania Marijuana Pardon Project went live, Biden’s monumental announcement for cannabis pardons was announced.