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Boston's Morning Newsletter
What we do and don't know about Gov. Healey's marijuana pardon plans
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
While you keep working on those photo editing skills, here’s what’s in our picture today:
Pardon party: Gov. Maura Healey is planning this week to follow through on a big pledge from her 2022 campaign: A blanket pardon for people with state-level convictions for simple marijuana possession. Healey’s office says an announcement is coming tomorrow with more details. Until then, here’s what we do and don’t know:
- What is “simple” possession? Generally, it means a conviction for small amounts of marijuana intended for personal use (rather than selling) and has been punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $500. However, the state relaxed those penalties in 2018. And since 2016, it’s been legal to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana in public or up to 10 ounces at home.
- How would a blanket pardon work? That part is still a bit hazy. Healey’s team said in 2022 she’d model the effort after President Biden’s federal marijuana pardons, which includes an application process. (Similar state-level processes have also involved an application.) But in Massachusetts, the Governor’s Council also has to sign off on pardon recommendations.
- How many would be eligible? Healey’s office hasn’t said, but it may be in the tens of thousands, as The Boston Globe first reported yesterday. Still, the actual number of pardons could depend on the process. (While thousands are eligible for Biden’s federal marijuana pardons, officials say only 183 pardon certificates have been issued so far.)
- Why it matters: There are a lot more state-level marijuana possession convictions than federal convictions. And while Massachusetts already has an expungement process for people convicted of marijuana crimes that were later legalized in 2016, critics say the process is too lengthy and burdensome.
Fanning the ceasefire flames: Brookline could soon join several other communities in Massachusetts calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Residents will vote on a resolution — calling for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for humanitarian aid to Gaza — at its Town Meeting in May. As Brookline.News first reported, it comes after four residents filed the resolution as a warrant article.
- What they’re saying: Emma Nash, a resident behind the resolution, told WBUR’s Amy Sokolow that Gaza has been a particularly contentious issue in Brookline, which is home to one of the largest Jewish and Israeli populations in the region. But she said the resolution is about “not only opening up an opportunity for peace by calling for a ceasefire in a very literal sense, but also providing an opportunity for our community to heal.”
- What’s next: Brookline’s Select Board is scheduled to discuss whether to support the resolution during its meeting tonight.
- Zoom out: Cambridge, Somerville and Amherst have all passed similar ceasefire resolutions this year.
Free agent frenzy: Monday was a busy news day in the NFL, as the free agency negotiating window opened. The New England Patriots (sorta) got in on the action, as they begin their new era under coach Jerod Mayo.
- Arrivals: The team brought back veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett on a one-year deal, as they continue to look at picking a quarterback in next month’s draft. They also signed running back Antonio Gibson to add some versatility to the backfield.
- Departures: Wide receiver Devante Parker, who struggled during his two years in New England, is being released by the team.
Slow-ell: Officials in Lowell are trying to educate drivers about the city’s new 25 mph speed limit for all roads in “thickly settled or business districts.” Message boards and signs warning about the change are going up this week at major entry points into the city.
- Police say they will pull over and issue warnings to speeders, but won’t give out tickets for the first few months.
Rest easy, Needham: State police say a search of the Charles River yesterday did not turn up any more old explosives, after “two deteriorated pieces of unexploded ordnance” were pulled up by fishermen around the Kendrick Street bridge over the course of a week.
P.S.— This week marks the beginning of On Point’s new special series “Elements of energy: Mining for a green future.” It’s a five-day look at the environmental and human costs of mining for the elements that drive clean energy. Listen to the first episode about lithium mining in the U.S. here and tune in every day this week at 10 a.m. for new shows.
