Vermont governor keeps vow, pardons 192 over pot possession convictions

a harmful stigma associated with it,” Shumlin, a Democrat, said in a statement. Nearly 200 of the approxi“My hope was to help as mately 450 people who asked many individuals as I could Gov. Peter Shumlin of Verovercome that stigma and mont to forgive their misthe very real struggles that demeanor marijuana contoo often go along with it.” victions had their wish fulSuch charges can stand filled this week. in the way of finding work,

In one of his final acts in being accepted to college office, Shumlin pardoned and traveling internationally. 192 people convicted of marThe pardons were limited ijuana possession, fulfilling to people who had no violent a promise he made early last criminal histories and who month to consider forgivehad not been found guilty of ness for anyone who applied driving under the influence by Christmas. or reckless driving.

“While attitudes and laws People who did not apply about marijuana use are rapfor a pardon from Shumilin idly changing, there is still can still apply to have mar- ijuana possession convictions expunged from their record through a court process established under a 2013 state decriminalization law.

Shumlin cited that law and his own support for legalizing marijuana as the basis for the pardons.

“Vermont should follow the many states that are legalizing and regulating the use of marijuana and put to an end the incredible failure that is the War on Drugs,” he said in the statement.

His successor, Phil Scott, a Republican, has urged caution, though he has signaled he may be open to legalization eventually.