DeWine doesn't plan to issue marijuana pardons

Gov. Mike DeWine has no immediate plans to grant mass pardons for Ohioans with minor-level marijuana offenses as other governors have done, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Pardons have been issued as a form of criminal justice reform in some states with legalized recreational marijuana, but they can be controversial .

• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore recently pardoned more than 175,000 marijuana convictions, saying this "must go hand-in-hand" with the rollout of that state's recreational market.

Driving the news: DeWine doesn't plan to issue blanket pardons as recreational sales begin, spokesperson Dan Tierney told Axios, but the administration is monitoring possible action taken by state lawmakers.

State of play: Ohio now lets those of age to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis in most forms.

• Lawmakers have proposed various bills that allow past convictions on minor possession charges to be expunged, but none have reached the governor's desk for a signature.
• "That impacts their employment opportunities," Rep. Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus) told WCMH-TV in April. "It impacts housing and obviously higher education as well."