MD Gov. Wes Moore launches Cannabis Workforce Development Program
MARYLAND – Governor Wes Moore launched the Cannabis Workforce Development Program and advocates say it’s going to be life-changing.
“It’s the first time a governor has pardoned this many people at one time. And in Maryland, that adds up to about 185,000 people,” said John Sybert, with the Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network, Delmarva division.
Advocate John Sybert calls this a historic move for Maryland. Those convicted of marijuana offenses are now pardoned following Governor Wes Moore’s decision motivated by the president. “The president of the United States has directed the governors to follow his policy, national policy, which is to pardon. And he also told the governors, he said, I want you to take this in your own hands, in your own states,” said Sybert.
Now those pardoned individuals have a free, automatic opportunity for workforce development. The new program will give people the option to take courses and occupational training, getting ahead of barriers to basic necessities. “It will be shown as a pardon by the governor, which again, will help you with things such as getting housing. Student loans say people are in custody issues. When jobs, you know, wages aren’t as high and there are jobs around. But the high-quality jobs are what you want to have. And a lot of people there’s a barrier to high-quality jobs with a arrest record,” said Sybert.
Sybert believes the Cannabis Workforce Development program is giving those impacted a better chance to get acclimated with society. “It just gets people’s self-esteem back up. It gets people more engaged in the community. They’re not isolated. And we as a society gotten past that, that a misdemeanor drug possession shouldn’t affect you from advancing your life,” said Sybert.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting July first. Some of the classes will be held at the University of the Maryland Eastern Shore.
