Ore. sets example on pot pardons

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown recently announced she will pardon 47,144 people convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana. Other states should follow suit. She is the first governor in the country to take such an action, although President Joe Biden announced in October that he was pardoning people with federal convictions of simple marijuana possession. In a country with permissive cannabis laws in many states – and strong support among Americans for legalization – no one should have their lives ruined for possessing marijuana.

The disconnect between Americans’ acceptance of marijuana and how outdated laws are enforced begs for action.

Carli Pierson USA TODAY Editorial Board