The Governor's Council has approved the proposal from Governor Maura Healey to pardon all misdemeanor marijuana convictions.
The council voted seven to zero yesterday to approve Healey's proposal, which she promised while campaigning for governor.
Healey says thousands of Massachusetts residents will now see their records cleared, eliminating barriers to housing, education and jobs.
The pardons will remove any penalties incurred. However, it is not an expungement. Expungement for purge the record from the system,
The Governor's Council held a 90 minute hearing on the proposal before voting yesterday.
Under the new protocol, those who were convicted of activities within a school zone are not eligible for the pardon, nor are people convicted of selling.
(Photo: Madison Rogers WBZ Radio)