Maryland Governor Wes Moore Unveiled $816 Million Investment in Black-Owned Businesses and Weed Pardons That Fall On Juneteenth

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — On Thursday, Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore unveiled a range of state-level initiatives, notably an unprecedented $1.34 billion investment aimed at the state's four historically Black colleges and universities, alongside a sweeping pardon for 175,000 cannabis possession offenses. In a social media update, Moore indicated that the state has also allocated over $816 million in procurement contracts to businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs. These measures form part of his administration's comprehensive strategy to tackle enduring racial and economic inequalities. “We’ve made progress, and we have more work to do,” Moore stated, urging continued efforts towards justice. The substantial funding for Maryland's HBCUs—including Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore—arises from a settlement of a long-standing lawsuit regarding inadequate funding for these institutions. The mass pardons, impacting over 150,000 misdemeanor convictions, were enacted to eliminate barriers in housing and employment following cannabis legalization for adults in 2023. Moore described this decision as fundamentally rooted in equity and economic opportunity, reiterating a commitment to fostering an inclusive economy.